Evening star., 1900-07-16
THE SULTAN OBJECTE
MAJOR SWEET TOOK HIS TROOPS on
PRACTICE MARCHES.
The Ruler of SuIu Claims That There
Was No Occasion for the Dis
play of Military Force.

It is reported that friction has occurred
between the Sultan OF Sulu and the United
States military authorities in Jolo. While
there has been no active opposition TO the
military on that island. the sultan has made
strong objection to the passage OF armed
troops through his dominion. The offender
was Maj o. J. Sweet. 23d Infantry, and his
offense consisted in making practice march,
es through the country in order to exercise
his men and at the same time exert n moral
restraining influence on the savage inhabit-
ants. One correspondent gives the following
details OF the trouble:
The sultan took occasion to object TO
these proceedings. and sent a lengthy COM
munication to the major in regard to the
matter. He claimed that he was working
under the supervision OF the government
and that he was fully able to control his
people without the assistance of the Arneri-
can troops. II was not necessary for the
soldiers to enter the villages. frightening
the women and children and driving the
peaceably inclined men from their occups-
uons. He Claimed that the island was well
policed. the people We're quiet and that the
affairs OF government were never In a more
satisfactory condition
Major Sweets Reply.
Major Sweet replied to the note in a
diplomatic letter, and it is hoped tnat no
serious complications will arise from any
misunderstanding. Every evidence Of rebel
rule and influence is fast vanishing under
the careful direction of the American gov
ernment. aG II would be a great misfortune
for the sultan, smarting under imaginary
wrongs, to forsake the wise course he has
been pursuing for the past few months.
So far everything is absolutely quiet and
no grave fears are entertained in regard to
the situation.
The trouble no doubt grew out OF the
execution Of the ten Moros who had been
arrested for the murder OF three men be-
longing to the I'D. They had gone on a
leave of absence some twenty miles into
the country from Jolo. One Of the party had
gone to battle in a stream when he heard
the cries Of his companions, who We're rest
ing beneath the shade of a tree. He learned
enough to know that his friends were sur
rounded and murdered. Naked as he was,
he secreted himself in the underbrush and
by avoiding the open places succeeded IN
reaching Jolo. He was in a horrible con-
dition from exposure and contact with the
thorny bushes which II was necessary to
pass through. and his story aroused the re-
sentiment Of the comrades OF the murdered
men to a great degree.
AN expedition was Immediately organic
ed. and they secured enough information
from friendly natives to locate the guilty
savages. Ten of them were captured and
taken to Jo!o under guard. They were sui
len prisoners and the next morning they
were sent TO work about the streets OF the
town. This they refused to do. and. watch
ing their opportunity. at signal given by
their leader, they separated and made
dash for the cover OF the woods which
surrounded the village. So deadly was the
aim of the guards that not one succeeded
in effecting his escape. The murderers had
brought speedy Justice upon themselves.
THE Americans were inclined TO forget
the incident. The comma nding officer how
ever. received bill shortly afterward ask
ing a hundred pesos a head for the prison.
ers who had been foolish enough TO try to
escape. Major Sweet Immediately demanded
indemnity for his men whom the sub
jects Of the sultan had murdered. The
question was a sumner for the island po-
tentate and his cabinet and they decided
to drop the matter"