davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-24

Finally the royal party went ashore. and
its entertainers rushed ravenously to the
saloon.
The days festivities concluded with a
ball given at Major Sweets headquarters
by the officers of the regiment to the Amer
lean women on the transport. The sultans
youngest brother represented the royal
family on this occasion, the others being
exhausted by the labors of the day. The
youngster was accompanied by three of his
retainers and the Interpreter. He is nine
teen and has only three wives in his palace.
He is looking for another. He sat chew
ing constantly the betel nut and watching
intently the Waiting couples. He eN-
pressed himself as highly pleased with the
American dancing, and as enjoying the
music much more than that of the Span
tards. The Spanish had, however. never
invited him to a ball, he said. When re-
freshments were passed he evidently
Viewed the ice cream with suspicion and
distrust The interpreter explained to hin,
that all American women were very fond
of the dish, and that the ladies present
were anxious that he should taste it.
Thereupon he reluctantly put aside his
betel quid and took two mouthfuls of the
cream He Immediately pronounced the
verdict: ''It is very cold,' and devoted him.
self to the cake to which the sweet-toothed
Moros seemed to take kindly.
Something of a cloud was thrown upon
the days enjoyment at the eleventh hour
by the news that in his visit to the trans
port the sultan had lost or been robbed of
his cane. The first report was to the effect
that the missing article was his sacred cane
from Mecca: that he had demanded that
the ship be stopped and searched for it
that in the event of failure to produce it
no compensation short of the annexation
Of the American women on the ship as ad-
d.tional wives would be satisfactory. and
that lacking both cane and women he
would promptly declare war. Later news.
however. disclosed that the missing stick
was not the sacred cane with the jeweled
handle, but a darker stick with plain sill
yer head. And our ladies breathed more
easily.
The events Of the day. in addition to fur
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-24

hand servant, carrying a silver or brass
box, in which were all the necessary tngre-
dents for betel chewing. The Youngest
brother of the sultan was not deferred bv
the solemnity of the occasion from tndul-
gence in the habit, and he chewed and
emitted blood-red expectations uninter-
ruptedly.
The companies of the sd Regiment at
Jolo were drawn up in front of the gate to
salute In honor of the sultan The stall
wart disciplined, well-armed and effective
soldiers contrasted conspicuously with the
miscellaneous, irregularly armed rabb.e
which attended the sultan
The party now proceeded to the plaza,
where the companies paraded and were re-
Viewed. When the Star Spangled Banner
was played, and also when the flag passed
the sultan and his retinue stood up with
the other Americans.
A Big Gun Salute to the SuItap
After the dress parade the sultan and
dattos and some of the attendants were
taken out on the launch to the TRANSPORT.
and just before we reached the ship seven
teen guns were fired from it in salute We
were 30 close at hand that the reports
Jared severely upon the sultan's nerves
AT the first reverberation he grasped a
post Of the launch with one hand and
braced himself against his seat with the
othef. lie Is not, however, unfamiliar with
heaVy gun firing. having been saluted nv
other American ships and by the British at
Singapore.
1t was explained to the royal party on
| the launch that the guns which made 90
much noise were comparatively small af
fairs; that some OF the American guns were
as long as the launch itself, and could shoo,
from Jolo harbor to NAHUM. This state
| ment created an obvious sensation.
On the transport the sultan fired one Of
| the six-pounders and with his party in.
spected the entire ship. The Moros were
| most Impressed by the electric light. which
some of them hesitatingly felt to see II II
would burn; and the electric fan, the breeze
| from which was a mystery and a source
| of Joy.
At o'clock the sultan could break his
| fast So at that hour his party was es-
corted to the ships saloon that 1t might
enjoy light luncheon. The royal fast
was thoroughly broken. Judging from their
achievements at table the remainder OF the
| party as well as the sultan had been fast
| Ing for an indefinite period. They held pos
session long past the dinner hour of the
ship After one Moro (not, however at
the sultan's table, had experimental with
ice water and lived, he passed 1t to his
table associates. They slipped it and forth
| with all ordered Ice water. but before
drinking it made a heavy drain upon the
sugar resources of the ship in order to
sweeten the beverage sufficiently. Ice itself
was fascinating mystery to them, to be
| touched only with fear and trembling and
after some officer in whom they had conf
dence had braved the danger. Some of
| them tried bold experiments with buttered
! bread. their first experience. All drank CO.
| piously of coffee and consumed with exas-
| perating slowness vast quantities Of cakes.
raisins. nuts, small picked onions and
| olives. 1t is to be hoped that no one of
the Moro guests had internal reasons later
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-24

and at notable advance over tho
price to the members of our marty In o,,.
humble civilian way We have contributed
conspicuously and effectively to the d,s.r.
mament of the Moros
Next we proceeded to the nipa-but fsbi,,
village Of Bus-Bus. with the few owners ~
unsoid barongs and krises following In orr
train On land Bus-Bus consists of a sim
gle. narrow. filthy. ill-smeline street
which was now for its entire length ma
i've market. where brilliantly colored fish
fruits and vegetables were exposed for
sale. and where our party loaded itself
down with spears, parrots. monkeys. hats
mats, sarongs, jabuIs, cocoanuts. banana q
ana mansasteens. The Bus-Busites
s"armed about us in every condition of
dress and undress. There were many sam
pies OF the characteristic native costumes
WITH the sarong and jabul for the women
ana tight-ntting trousers small Jacket and
volumlnous sash for the men. hut tho n,ost
frequent costume of all showed as its 5on,,
mating characteristic the brown skin of tho
native unadorned. Most of Bus-Rus 10 n
water city, a collection of nipa huts hmm
far out into the bay on piles, and an
preached by single, long, narrow, ricketv
bamboo bridge. Bus-Bus is as safe from
attack by land as the villages of the lake
jewellers of Europe of an earlier age
On the other side of Jolo we visited a
second native village called Tulei, which
boasts the house at which the sultan stops
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-24

royal prerogative OF delay. He had been
expected the day before, but in the after
noon his sword bearer, comical mannikin.
galloped up to the commanding ofiicer.
Major Sweet, while he was with our party
/ from the transport shook hands enthusiast
tically with everybody, and announced that
his majesty had found difficulty in securing
the necessary horses and would not arrive
until next day. The sword bearer there
upon returned to NAHUM, bearing to the
sultan, 1t is alleged. such accounts of the
American hours then assembled at Jolo
that his majesty proceeded forthwith to
catch his horse and to gallop over in the
evening to Tulei, just outside the wall of
Jolo town. His reception was then fixed
for the next morning, but as the hour ap-
preached his sword bearer again appeared
and announced that his highness, who was
fasting, was too feeble to endure excite
ment at that period of the day. but would
undergo the ordeal in the afternoon.
Now, however, the sultan is really COM
ing and all previous disappointments are
forgotten. We met his highness at the
main gate attended by his two brothers,
his prime minister, Datto Calvi. the Moro
chief living nearest to Jolo, and motley
crowd of armed and unarmed retainers-
The procession, with its show of bright
and, in some cases. of rich fabrics, Its sill
yer and ivory and gold in kris hits and
betel-nut boxes, and rubbing close against
this richness it's rags and filth and naked
ness sets Mother Goose's jingle to ringing
in ones ears:
"Hark bark the dogs do bark,
The beggars are coming to town;
Some in rags, and some In tags.
And some in a velvet gown"
We were introduced and shook hands
with the sultan as Informally If he were
Mr. Smith Of Kalamazoo. His majesty is
short and chubby, with a dark, puffy, peck
marked face. thin mustache of the rudi'
mentary Japanese type, which failed te
cover an ugly mouth, and the dull eye OF
! the blase, unenthusiastic Turk. His flee
and betel-stained teeth are decayed ane
blackened. He wore a European suit OF
| light gray, with white shirt and collar (bu'
lacking tie and cuffs, tan shoes and g
close fitting black velvet turban. A very
broad, loosely-t tied cotton sash encircled his
waist and was in its breadth and in the
extent to which it fell below the bottom OF
! his coat the homogeneous element in his Eu.
ropean costume. He wore several rings
| including a large pearl: gold watch chain
showed conspicuously outside his coat. and
| he carried a black. silver-headed cane.
The crown prince, the sultan's next
younger brother, was much more alert and
prepossessing in appearance He was
| dressed in the picturesque native costume,
varying 1t only by wearing a pair of black
patent leather pumps. His barong, with its
finely carved ivory hilt, attracted the eye.
The sultan and each datto had close at
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-24

is strengthened in proportion as they ars,
moved to wonder and admiration by things,
American. Their Impressions of the repub-
lie are practically all to be formed. Most
of them have never before even heard Of,
the United States. The trip of the sultan
and few of his retainers to Mecca repre-
sents the most extensive foreign travel oei
the ruling family. If the sultan himself is
avariciousIy stoid, and subject only TO tho
influence of money, the same is not neces-l
sarily the case with his brothers, who may
succeed him, or with his chiefs and advis-t
ers. The ability of the Americans to sway,
the forces Of nature. as demonstrated to tho
Moro mind in the applications of electricity,
and in the making of ice, creates deep.
an impression as the show of military,
strength in the fine dress parade Of armed
giants and in the booming of the great
guns. The indications of interest in and re-
gard for the Moros have also a good effect.
One of the hardest factors to be overcome
In the real pacifcation of the Filipinos,
which is to follow the war, Is their resent
ment of contemptuous treatment by many,
of our soldiers, who, adopting the term
from English residents in Manila have sys-
tematically spoken of the Filipinos and.
treated them as "niggers." If we are TO
follow English example we should be wiser.
to initiate the policy of English officials IN
dealing with the native princes who hold
relations with their government. A show
ing both of consideration and Of strength,
and an appeal to the love Of the Speclacd-
lar, are especially effective with Asiatio
peoples The suggested trip Of the sultan
and his brothers and a few of the most
powerful dattos to America could hardly
fail to have the most beneficial results in
the maintenance OF peace and good order
| in the Sulu archipelago and the continuance
of amicable relations between Americans
and Moros.
THEODORE w MOVES
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-24

when visiting Jolo, and is the scene Of the
cockfghting, the absorbing popular pas
time here as in Luzon.;E III
Native CoeknEhts.
The eockfighting which we saw at Tulei
took place in sort of bamboo PEN A
fragile bamboo framework formed an over
looking gallery. AS ia much of our own
horse racing the gambling connected with
the sport Is the main Attraction, and the
betting is even more fast and furious than
the fighting. long, razor-edged, murder
Gus gan Is attached tosthe left foot of the
hghting COCK and as rule one of the COM
batants Is killed in a few seconds Cock
fghting Is not permitted In Manila. but Is
allowed in Cavite on Sunday. and nearly
every male native passenger on the Cavite
ferry boat on that day carries game
cock under his arm, which he brings back
In the evening either with feathers victori-
ously ruff1ed or picked and ready for the
pot in sign of defeat. The game cock is
unqnestionably the nationa! bird, the eagle
emblem of the Philippines. There was far
more excitement and enthusiasm over the
fighting cocks at Tulei than over the sultan
himself.
AT Iulei we visited hut where with
crude looms Moro women were weaving
cioth Tor sarongs and sashes, and others
were making rude clay pottery. Delicate
materials like the just and the pima made
out OF the pineapple leaf fiber by the Visa
vans and the Tagalogs are not produced
here.
we walked from Tulei through a palm
lined avenue to the princess d'Asturias,"
former Spanish block house. now used as
a barracks for a company of our soldiers
In returning to Jolo we passed through
groves of bananas and scattered coffee and
lemon trees.
Moro Spear Dances,
The native dances took place in the plaza
in the welcome shade of tall trees of tropi-
cal density Of foliage. The spectators
formed circle. Chairs protected from the
surging crowd by rope occupied a section
OF the ring and were used by the American
| women and other distinguished visitors
Moros in every variety of picturesque at
tire, further diversified by an occasional
soldier, rounded out the circle and supplied
an exhibit almost as interesting as the
dancers themselves. On the Moro side of
the circle was the native TOM tom orches-
ira Two wooden drums were beaten by
mems hands. Three gongs suspended from
rope a regular intervals were struck by
sticks tightly bound with cords to muffle
the sound. Eight small copper-covered
pots standing on cords above a hollow,
wooden box, were beaten in an intended
tune by bamboo sticks.
In the center of the circle were placed a
large, heavy wooden shield and a long
spear with bells at the handle. The first
actor-dancer was dressed In the customary
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-24

ing celebrated both by Moro and American
festivities.
Our party landed early from the trans
port, the launch scattering the native ca
noes with outriggers which hung about the
ship, displaying Moro products for SALE
Jolo boasts lighthouse and stone pier
and on landing there we were met not only
by representatives of the American officers,
but by Jolos native chief of police. with
the coat-of-arms of the United States con-
spicuously displayed on his brass-buttoned
jacket and by a delegation of private citi-
zens of both sexes, al sizes and every de-
gree of nakedness.
Jolo is a miniature walled town. with
broad, clean, tree-Iined streets. 1t has
room within its tiny Enclosure for a popu-
laton of a few hundred and is surrounded
by a ioop-hoied wall eight feet high Its
cleanliness. airiness, public structures, flow
ers and foliage make it exceedingly attract
i've. In its Improvements it is primarily a
monument to the energy and wisdom of the
Spanish general, Arolas, who, being sent
here by Spain as pestiferous liberal to
take his chances of life in a recognized
pest hole, instead of dying, as might have
been expected, drove the disease-producing
conditions from Jolo as readily as he ex-
PEELED the Moros at the bayonets' point
from NAHUM.
A very broad street, as wide as Pennsyl-
vania avenue, leads from the pier straight
to the south wall. 1t serves the purpose of
a plaza and of a parade or review ground
for Jolo. This was the scene of the main
festivities of the day, beginning with ma
tive dances, to be followed by a review Of
the American troops.
Picturesque Moro Villages.
Before the formal celebration began we
visited two native villages adjacent to
Jolo. Passing through the picturesque
main gate of the city we saw, just outside,
the Spanish disarming station, now used as
a bolo 0krife) market. This station is a
raised pavilion inclosed in wire network.
as 1t were, in his cage and received the
knife of the Moro before he entered Jolo.
This precaution was taken after several
Spanish soldiers had been cut down by
Moros during the process of disarmament.
The pavilion is still q disarmament station,
but the inducement thereto Is no longer a
threatening rifle, but the allurement of gold
or silver coin. The barong with its short
heavy, effective blade and its hilt of carved
wood, ivory silver, the kris, with Its
wavy, twisting, fascinating blade and the
same varieties of hilt as in the case of the
barong, and the campilan, with its long
blade broadening In eccentric shape at the
point and with its laborately carved
horse-hair. We're sold in large quantities
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-24

Among the bills and resolutions introduced
in the House yesterday were the follow
ing:
BY Mr.. stephens CTexas), providing for
the leasing of the arid lands of the United
States.
Mr.. Wachter of Maryland, to codity the
laws relating TO the revenue marine SER
vice.
MIR. Shafroth (Col) admitting Nicaragua
into the Union as state the purpose be
ing to acquire the right to construct The
Nicaragua canal through that country.
Mr.. Fitzgerald tMass.), resolution direct
ing the Postmaster General to exclude the
book 'Sapho' from the mails
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-24

tight trousers and Jacket. A brilliant sash
with his barong thrust through its folds,
and a turban made by folding bright col
ored square of cloth. The sleeves OF his
absurd little Jacket were long and came
well down over his hands, as If he had
outgrown the garment In body, but had
shrunken in length of arm. The dancer
picked up the spear and shield, looked
quickly to the right and left for his imagi-
nary antagonist caught sight of him and
advanced with spear pointed toward him,
protecting himself with the shield. He cir
cled around his enemy, thrusting again and
again, glancing over his shield with a
fierce and cunning expression to note the
effect of his blow and to aim another. Fin
ally, a well-directed stroke placed his
enemy at his mercy Unsheathing his
barong he decapitated his antagonist and
retired in triumph
In the next war dance two men partici-
pated, each with shield and spear, and they
initiated in every detail the actual battle,
glazing ferociously, advancing, lodging.
thrusting, parrying with the shield until
one gave way. and the victor strutted from
the ring amid the loudest cries OF the
Moro bystanders, who had kept up con-
slant shouting during the whole encounter
men. women and children appeared in sue
cession A mat was spread in that part OF
the circle where the shade was deepest.
The orchestra emitted its doleful notes.
The women, who were the most interesting
In this dance, glided two at time upon
the mat and began a performance of Del
sarte posturing with the hands and arms.
to which an extraordinary undulating
movement was given, writhing, twisting
and turning in serpentine curves. bringing
every muscle in these members into play.
and apparently demonstrating that the
dancers were homeless wonders SO far as
the hand, wrist and arm are concerned.
The only other parts OF the body which
seem to participate even slightiy IN this
so-called dance are the feet. which keep
the body gliding slowly IN small circle
while the arms are unaaiat'ne.
In America and Europe tie legs dance.
In Egypt the body achieves so-called dane
ing. In Jolo the function IS transferred
still farther upward and the arms and
shoulders have their day.
The women dancers were dressed in a
long, straight skirt falling to the ankle. a
close-ftting, tight-sleeved jacket extending
several inches below rthe waist. and a
brightly colored straight garment, called
the jabul serving as a head wrap, and
stretching over one shoulder and under
meath the other arm. thence falling to the
bottom of the skirt. The toes of their bare
feet were pushed into heeiless slippers sew
eral sizes too small, which were held in
place in some miraculous fashion.
The performance concluded with more
spear dancing by the men, including a
snake dance, in which the performer indi-
ho YaoIn o,,1 of
one bitten by serpent, which had hidden
under his shield.
The Sultan of Sulu Appears.
Word was now received that the sultan
| was really coming, and all the Jolo world
| moved toward the south gate in order to
meet him. His majesty had exercised the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-24

agreements with and concessions to the
Moro sultans or dattcs, and especially the
potentate who lives this island Of Jolo.
The Sultan Of the Sulu archipelago claims
political and religious Jurisdiction not only
over that group of islands. among which he
includes Mindanao, but also over Palawaa
and North Borneo- His religious control, as
representative of the prophet, is more wide
ly recognized than his political and military
sway. Mindanao. which has sultans of its
own. does not recognize him at all. Para
wan also has a sultan. Even in the sultan's
own island of JOlo there are dattos who,
while grudgingly owning allegiance to him
ike the most powerful Of the barons of the
middle ages, believe themselves stronger
than their liege lord. and quarrel with MIN
and are entirely ready 10 fight their nominal
superior. The sultan has. however. in the
Sulu group 1gI.U0 people and 2n.O0O fight
Ing men. Of Mahometan contempt for death
end of piratic7ll and blood-letting tendency
and inclination. who would probably re-
sppnd enthusiastically to his call to arms
especially if a holy war were declared; so
that in spite Of his troubles as a ruler he Is
entitled to receive and has received a GER
tain degree Of consideration from the med
dlcSoue Americans who have interviewed
So recently and so vigorously in Asiatic
affairs.
Peace in Mahometan America.
Through the wise diplomacy of General
Bates and the tact Of officers serving under
him in dealing with the problem the relations
between the United States and the Moros
are distinctly amicab.e, and a dangerous
period in the history of american opera-
tons in the Philippines has been safely
passed. With the Tagalogs on the warpath
it was essential that the Moros should not
become actively hostile. With the Suiu
sultan. who had expected to succeed To
Spanish sovereignty in the Sulu group and
who was disappointed and sUlky over the
advent Of the Americans. General Bates
succeeded in making a written agreement,
subject to the approval of the President
and Congress. renewing several of the fea-
lures Of the treaty by which Spanish
ereiEnty had been recognized. General
Bates has also given verbal and effectively
pacifying assurances TO other sultans and
dattos, as, for example, of religious liberty
under American control The Moro idea of
a Christian based on their experience with
the Spanish, pictures fanatic whose high
est aspiration is TO cut down the hated Mos
lem in the same fashion that their own
juramentadoes seek with certain confidence
achieved while Staying Christians. A Chris
tian prOclaiming religious liberty is incom-
Ceivable to them and unrecognizable by
them. And thus it happened that the Sui
tan OF Sulu assured his people that thu
Americans We're not Christians. but Presby-
terians, and our sovereignty is for the time
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-24

the American officer or soldier goes out into
the country, as from Zamboanga. he also
lays aside his arms. The policy of disarm-
ing the Americans has the additional adj
vantage of removing temptation from the
individual and unregenerate Moros to am
buscade and murder scattered officers or
soldiers for the sake of securing their
revolvers or rifles, which are much coveted
and highly priced among this fighting race
JOIO Festivities.
The 18th of January, 1900, was a great
day for Jolo. An army transport was in
the harbor bringing to the American Off
GERS stationed there a second installment of
women visitors recorded in the red-letter
chronicles of the American military occu-