The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-05-14
The SuIu Islands

As the Americans have just added the
SuIu Islands. near the Philippines TO their
possessions. il viii interest many 10 learn
something entirely new about this arcai-
pelago. Both Spaniards and Americans
viii be surprised TO hear that we must
turn 10 Chinese history for authentic de-
tails, and this long before the Portuguese
ever appeared in the Far Easi there had
existed somewhat touching relations be-
tween the sultan OF Sulu and the Son Of
Heaven.
II is Just six hundred ard thirty years
since native Chinese dynasty turned out
the AIongols and established Itself firmly
at the modern Marking The first en-
peror had early occasion 10 despatch
mission TO Borneo CBrunD in $50. and Il
vas then discovered that Sulu had recent
" attacked Bruni wiki success The
third emperor (son OF the first, and a
usurper az the expense OF the rightful
heir, his nephew transferred his capital
10 Pekin. meaning south and north CAPT
tails date from this act. TIE sultan 81
Sulu, hearing what splendid reception
had been accorded 10 the sultan OF BTgni.
determined 70 initiate his example. and IN
The year I4I7 he proceeded. with his wives.
IONS, and chief ministers, TO Pekin. Two
other Sulu rulers accompanied the sultan
one called Maharaja kalamating, being
king OF the west (the conquered part Of
BrunD; and the other, Paduca Palab, be
ing king OF the atolls: but the chief guest
was Paduca Pahala, styled The king OF
eastern SuIU. They brought with them
presents Of pearls and tortoise she'll. re-
ceiving il return liberal rewards in the
shape Of money. silks, crocke-y. clothes
and state hnery. AL three princes re-
celved diplomas and official seals. secur-
ing 10 them the status Of vassal king and
far~ h AZ
they were sent back by way Of the Grand
Canal At a place in Shan Tung prov
ince. called TIE Chou. Paduca Pahala sick
ened and died. So soon as the emperor
heard of this. he sent, in accordance
with Chinese court usage, 10 sacrifice al
/ his tomb. The city authorities were order
ID to bury him with every honor. ne was
granted a posthumous title. and O slab
recording his merits was set Up alongside
his grave. Ten OF his suite. including
several wives and two sons. were left be-
hind 70 watch the tomb until the fun
period Of mourning should have expired.
Meanwhile. the eldest son by the first
wife in rank was patented as sultan. and
directed 10 proceed home at once.
In 1920 the king OF the west sent some
presents and announced his safe arrival
home. In 1921 the east kings wife sent
the emperor, her bTother-in-law a huge
pear weighing nearly half a pound. and
in 1923 she returned 10 Suu. This was
the last heard Of them for over three
hundred years though Chinese history
records that the Franks (meansing tho
Portuguese and. especially the Span
iards. who attacked Bruni in 15-0 sew
eral times attacked Sulu between I572
and 1920" It Is also stated that one Of
their neighboring districts is called
Kaoyo. and produces tortoise shell. this
is evidently the island OF Gaya. near the
present British capital town Of Sanda-
kan.
The Chinese dynasty Of Ming had long
disappeared and the present Manchu
Tartar house had already held the throne
for nearly two centuries when. one fine
day in I726 a SuIu envoy Unexpectedly
turned up at Marco PolO's Zaitun. which
is practically the present treaty port Of
Annoy. The envoy explained that his
master. Sultan Muhammed Mulaluting.
had heard what a sage was now ruling
China, and had sent him TO bring tribute.
The emperor expressly states that this IS
che first mission from the SU.u 10 the
Manchus and. after treating the envoy
with every hospitality at Pekin, he wrote
a long complimentary letter, directing the
sultan not to send oftener than once in
five years unless he had something def
ilit 20 ID
In 1873 the same ruler sent word
Through the Pekiu board that: About
1918 my ancestor. the eastern king, died
at TIE Chou on his way back from Pekin
and I should like some news touching his
grave" OF course. the Manchus knew
nothing about it. but the governor 81
Shan Tung was directed 20 make inquiry
He reported from his own archives the
above story (Which. by the way had al
ready became published history I'm the an
nails Of the Ming dynasty. and added the
following interesting details: The eldest
son. Tumahan. went back as successor.
but the other two sons. Antulu and Wen
haia. remained behind 20 watch the grave.
which is now somewhat dilapidated, but
still exists outside the north wall The
descendants Of the two brothers have
adopted ihe first syllables Of their names
as the Chinese family appeHations. An
and Wen. and. as Cinnamon. they draw
eight taos Ghen about two pounds q
year from the treasury for Sacrifices 70
the Sulu king The emperor replied.
Choose one or two from each 81 the
two families Who may possess a smatter-
tons. and let the thing go on forever.
Let the sultan know
In 1910 the sultan sent back some ship
wrecked Chinese. In 11i3 q new sultan
named MuhamTned ApinEl0uinE. endsav-
ored unnecessarily to reduce the five
year period 70 three. There were again
ervovs in 175}. and from Muhammcd An
joIulln in 1754. since which date SUN does
n0r' seem 10 have had any relations az all
with China.-Househo!d words.