The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1899-11-10
OUR AGREEMENT
WITH THE SULUS
President Sehurman Throws Light On
the Subject.
SATISFIES ALL CONCERNED
Interference With Present Gus
toms Is Unnecessary.

A Washington dispatch says: In
view Of the current discussion Of the
military agreement between General
Bates and the sultan Of sulu the views
Of President Schurman, of the Philip.
pine commission, on the subject are
interesting.
Mr. Schurman was one Of the first
Americans to visit Jolo, the seat Of
Spanish government in the Sulu archi-
pelago, and had an extended interview
with the sultan before the arrival Of
General Bates. The arrangements en-
tered into between General Bates and
the sultan was considerably influenced
by this meeting.
Although the full agreement with
the Sultan has not been made public
by the Washington authorities, il can
be stated that it practically conforms
to the previous convention existing
between the Sultan and the Spanish
government. In this agreement Spain
never claimed anything more than an
external proteotorate over the Sula
group, the right to suppress piracy in
it's waters and TO prevent the periodic
migrations Of the oathbound Moham-
medans who went to the northern
islands under a vow to kill Christians
and thus secure an entrance into Par
Ndise.
Professor Schurman said when ques-
toned about the probable continuance
of polygamy and slavery in the islands
after they came under the American
dominion that this was a subject
which would have to be dealt with in
the most careful fashion to bring an
ultimately satiafactory solution. He
said:
cit seems to me that were it not
for the ignorance displayed, the pres
ent hue and cry about polygnmy and
slavery in these islands would be alb
solutely criminal In taking over the
Sulu group we have acquired no rights
of any sort there except those be-
queathed us by Spain. She was bound
by her agreement with the sultan not
to interfere with the religion or Gus
toms of the islands and it would be
most unwise for us TO attempt this by
force when it eau be ultimately ac-
complished by the slower method Of
civilization and education.
"rhs Sulu group proper contains
about 100, 900 inhabitants, They are
all Mohammedans, as are about 100,
900 of the residents of Mindanoa,
directly east. To attempt to interfere
with the religion of these people
would precipitate one of the bloodies
wars In which this country has ever
been engaged. They are different race
physically and mentally from the resi-
dents of the Viscayan isles-powerfu
men and religious fanatics of the mos
pronounced type, who care nothing fol
death and believe the road to HEAVIER
can be attained by killing Christians
Polygamy is part of their religion
and slavery, about which so much i
being said just now, is mild type o
feudal bondage.
The sultan believes from what h,
has seen of Americans that they ar,
ready to be friendly and deal honestl.
by him. Our soldiers and officers al
ready travel into the interior of Jol,
with perfect impunity, where Span
iards never dared to set foot. 1t ha
been suggested indirectly to the sui
tan that he should maintain an Ameri
can of good standing as a confidential
adviser at his court to aid him in tn
work of material development TO
which the beautiful group of island
is ready, and which is bound to com
when they are thrown in touch wit
the civilized. believe that he vii
take kindly To this suopastion -