Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1900-06-08

nag. Not alone, be 1t understood, In
the territory of the Sultan of Sulu. as
many writers and public men would
have the people OF the United States
believe, but throughout one-third OF
the entire Philippine group-the Is
lands that are now q portion OF the
United States, subject to their con-
stitution and laws. And American
officers have been compelled to give
at least tacit approval to the institu-
ton for the reason that they believe
failure to do so would result In the
massacre of their little commands.
Throughout Mindanao the holding OF
slaves marks the man Of rank. power
and position. Slavery is rooted thor
oughly into the social fabric, and II
even extends to the fireside OF the pest
element-if any such there be-of the
Moro population. Slaves are acquired
by purchase, by Inheritance or gift'
by capture and by the inability OF US
individual to keep his head above the
flood OF misfortune.
One Of the interesting scenes taken
from life in this portion Of the moral
vineyard was enacted here upon the
afternoon of January 10.
Shortly after dinner a native ap-
psared at the quarters of the captain
commanding the garrison leading by q
rope another citizen OF the EXPANDED
United States. The rope was securely
tied around the captive's neck. me
captain was hidden to join IN holding
court, with the captive as the DEFEND
ant. Seated under a small tree the
Sultan of Mindanao, the Dati Baaui
and the captain began the hearing
Under the existing circumstances the
two savage leaders had forborne TO
cut the victims head on and had IN
sisted that he be tried before an ofncer
of the American army.
The court began its hearing. NO
charge was reaI to the prisoner, but
the Dat,, through an Interpreter, told
the narrowing details Of tie mans
crime. He was a slave-that was al
and he had dared to escape from his
master in a mad effort to rejoin the
people from whom. many years De.
fore. he had been taken by force OF
arms. The Dati was his master.
The Dati finished his statement, a
few words were exchanged by the
members Of the court. and the prisoner,
now permitted to speak, mumbled a
few words.
In a moment a lieutenant directed
that sergeant OF the guard and one
man be sent to him. The prisoner
was turned over to his armed escort,
and sent to work in an old fort that
is being prepared for occupation OF
the American soldiers.
His sentence was: ITO be confined
for an indefinite period at hard labor."
His crime was: Attempting to take
advantage of the rights given him by
the American constitution. promul-
gated by Abraham Lincoln In his
famous emancipation proclamation.
and sealed with the blood Of a million
men. And this sentence was passed
oy a captain OF tho army Of tho United
States man who knew better, but
who feared the result Of openly af-
fronting the MORO chieftains. know
ing that by 50 doing he would subject
his company to the possibility OF i'm
mediate attack from forces OF what
size he knew not. Thus has the
American government openly recos-
nized the existence Of slavery in the
Philippines. And let this idea not be-
come confused in the minds Of the
people. The place where this scene
was enacted, where these conditions
exist, is not the domain Of the Sultan
CT Sulu, where me United States has
70 sovereignty, but II is on the Island
o. Mindanao, second in size and i'm
cortence of TIA whole group for which
tie United; STATES paid 10000, 900. and
over which the stars and stripes float
as a token Of ownership.
Every one who knows anything at
all Of the Cancellation" brought about
by the officials with the Morros knows
it is simply a system OF extensive
Bribery, by which Sultans and Datis
receive SO much good American money
for no service except forbearancs in
the matter Of cutting American
Threats.
So far no attempt has been made to
take the southern situation by the
horns. The Morros are IN command
of the situation-complete masters Of
It. They stand In the light Of people
who, for a monetary consideration
only, permit troops Of another power
to exist upon their territory. The
rights OF the United States. south of
Luzon, are, with few exceptions, less
than their extra territorial rights in
any other foreign country.-Cincin-
natl Enquirer.
(The slave afterward escaped. A
corporal who told the sentry not to
fire at the fugitive was reduced to the
S1nks.)
Half-Cents for the Poor.
Chicago papers are crying out
against the proposed new coin, CIR.
landing that this ia not haX .oent