The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1899-12-19
SULU SLAVERY.
Resolutions introduced into the House
Inquiring into the Matter.
Proposal to Give the FiIipinOs Self
Government On Paying to Us
$40, OOO, 900, We to Have
Naval Stations.

Washington, Dec. 15.-Following Is
the resolution in regard to Philippine
matters, introduced in the house by
Representative Williams:
Whereas, the hope has been held out
to the Filipinos, now waging war
against the forces of the United States
in the island of Luzon, would lay
down their arms if authoritatively as
sured that it was the intention of the
government and the people of the
United States ultimately to grant the
people of that island their independ-
ence and the absolute control of their
domestic affairs, and
Whereas, such is the intention of
the government and of the American
people who do not believe in wars of
conquest or criminal aggression; ag-
gression against other peoples, and
have frequently declared their horror
thereof. Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the senate and house
of Representatives in congress assem-
bled:
Section 1. That it has always been
our intent and purpose to recognize
the inalieable right of the Filipinos to
self government and national indie
pendence and that in pursuance there
of we shall make formal recognition
of these rights and withdraw our land
and sea forces upon the establish
ment of peace and the Inauguration
of a constitutional government or
governments by the people of the is
lands or any of them provided the
said government agrees, or the said
governments agree, to refund the
$2o,0OO,oOO which was paid by us to
the queen of Spain; to give us in fee
simple with right of sovereignty
vested in us, a place suitable for ma
val station and other places fitted for
coaling stations and to grant the
American people in perpetuity the
right or free access to all of their
ports for goods, merchandise and per-
sons bent on peaceful or missionary
pursuit.
Sec. 3. We pledge ourselves to treat
as an unfriendly manifestation to-
wards the United States any foreign
interference or aggression for the
period of ten years from and after
the establishment of such a govern
ment, provided that the government
and people of said islands shall sur
render into our keeping, during that
period, the entire question of their
foreign relations and shall pay the
expense to which we may be put for
such troops as shall, at the request
of said government be kept on Phil
ippine territory and of such ships
and naval forces as may be kept in
the Philippines or adjacent waters
for the purpose of the protection
herein promised.
The Sulu resolution is as follows:
Whereas, the constitution of the
United States provides that neither
slavery nor involuntary servitude, ex.
cept as punishable for crime,
shall exist within the United States OF
any place subject to their jurisdic-
tion,' and
Whereas, the island of Sulu, one OF
the Philippine group, is, and has been
for some time, by virtue of the ratif
cation of the treaty OF. Paris between
Spain and the United States, within
the United States or subject to their
jurisdiction and
"Whereas, it is currently reported
and believed that slavery does actu
ally exist in said islands,
''Whereas. it is furthermore current
ly reported and believed that it exists
by the connivance, or express agree
ment, of 9the federal authorities;
therefore, AID .u..it1
s'Be it Resolved, by the house o.
Representatives, that the president
and he is hereby requested, if, in his
opinion compatible with the public in
terest to transmit to the house sucl
information as may be avaT able OF
that subject, including Official docu
ments, agreements or conventions, en-
tered into by and between the author
tiles, civil or military, of the Unite
States and the so-called sultan of Sulu
his agents or representatives,
ssBe it further resolved, that the ju
dietary committee of this house be
and is hereby Instructed, to investi
gate and report upon the legal anc
constitutional aspects of our govern
mental relations to the people of the
Philippine islands, and especially tC
those of them in the group hitherto
or now ruled by the so-called sultar
of Sulu, and to6determine and repor-
to the house whether or not, in the
opinion of said committee, the sale
islands are within the jurisdiction O.
the United States; and if in tht
jurisdiction of the United State:
whether or notn the constitu
tional prob bition of slavery
and the statutory prohibition of pc
1ygamy do or do not apply to then
and their people and should or SHOULD
not control federal officials in all theil
acts and conduct in connection will
the government thereof ,,,4,,,. ,fts,.s.