The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1900-05-24

db lOliOWS III hlubl6b MuKH-
zine: The Sultan of Sulu is
young man, but he gives
the impression of knowing what he is
about and just what he wants. His
head is rather large and well shaped.
His skin is the color of old copper
that has been polished. His eyes are
we'll apart, but he has trick of
dropping the lids that makes him look
sleepy and indifferent. He has a good
firm jaw and chin, with medinm-
sized straight nose. He wore on his
head fez which started red, but after
q while he took off an outer covering
and it was white. AS far as waistcoat
and trousers were concerned, he was
in correct evening dress. His coat
was gorgeous creation in corn-yellow
silk that came clear to his heels and
had long flowing sleeves. His feet
were shod with pater feathers. Two
of the three Datos were in regulation
Moro dress, the other wore trousers
as big as q woman's, and blue and
white checked flannel blazer. All the
Datos carried large knives and chewed
betel nut.
business began Immediately with
the reading of the draft of the agree
ment proposed by the Americans. 1t
was modelled on the old Spanish treaty
AS it was called--and guaranteed the
Moros all the usual rights and relig-
ious freedom, except that General
Bates made it very distinct that iura-
to1 1nsa,,, .y,,,,I1 l., ~
IT provided also that our flag must be
flown, that we should occupy such
places as we saw fit for military pur-
poses, that we would continue the
Sultan's pay for ruling his people and
that we would not sell or dispose of
the islands without the knowledge and
consent of the Sultan. The agree
ment had been done into their Lam
guage by Mr.. Schuck, the interpreter,
and the secretary read it, while the
Sultan turned his back on his follow
ers and looked bored to death.
Objection arose at once, when dis
cussion began, to the provision that
our flag should be flown. In 1898,
when the Spanish were too busy with
us to pay attention to the Sultan, he
went to Mecca flying his own flag,
contrary to his agreement with the
Spanish, and nothing derogatory
happened to him. Therefore he coul d
not see why he should not fly his own
flag whenever he went abroad. The
fact that that was practical denial
Of our sovereignty and forfeited our
protection did not appeal to him, in
view of his experience. The argument
went around in ring for few min
utes, and then the General suggested
that as they were not reaching q con-
clusion they should go on to some
thing else. The Moros objected to
the occupation for military purposes
without specific permission of the
Sultan. 1t developed that that was
because they thought the land was to
be taken without payment. When he
found out that he would get money
for it he yielded so readily as to Gre
ate the impression that he wished we
would occupy his whole dominion at
once.
There was provision about slavery
"hlth huN BlNOh bhO oChCIdl bOluG
anxiety. He was afraid that the Mo-
ros would object to his plan for the
purchase of freedom on the ground
that it would terminate slavery, which
was exactly what he was aiming to do.
They did object to the clause, but not
on that ground. He had fixed an up
set price which they thought was too
high. With great show of delibera-
tion the General consented that it
should be reduced. 1t was great
victory for Moro diplomacy.
The secretary did most of the talk
ing for the Moros, but the sleepy and
bored Sultan knew very well what he
was saying Two or three times
when the Sultan looked as if he were
about to sing, "There is a green hill
far away" he cut into the discussion
with sudden directness that showed
how closely he followed everything
that was said. The three Datos made
a few speeches which all those who
understood them received with abso-
lutte impassivity. Twice they asked
Kalvi for his opinion. He volunteered
nothing, but when asked he made a
talk which evidently did not suit.
None CT the discussion among them
selves was interpreted, so that the
Americans could tell only by appear
ances what was going on.
The followers of the Datos got tired
of all the talk after while, and strolled
ont into the yard to look at the guards
and talk it all over. Kalvi's men
went, too, and finally Kalvi went.
Soon afterward there was a commotion
in the yard. The instant thought of
every American there was the same
the bad blood between Kalvi and the
Sultan had found expression in fight
of their men. The three Datos with
the Sultan jumped out CT their chairs
and rushed out of the room, clutching
at their big knives as they went. 1t
was nervous minute, and we wished
that we had not given such n remark
able evidence of our confidence in the
Moros as to bring the four ladies with
us. But whatever he thought, no
American gave any sign that he was
in the least disturbed. General Bates
gave one sharp look down the line of
his little party, and saw everybody at
least outwardly calm. The ladies were
as cool as the men. The generals eyes
snapped and that was all In another
minute word came from below that
| the guard had arrested n man That