The evening times., 1900-07-27


Sl00.C00 Of the islands OF Sibatu and Koga-
yan Sulu in the sulu Archipelago, Philip
pines The proposal was regarded as &C
ceptabIe.
II was announced at the State Depart
ment tolay that negotiations are pending.
having for this purpose the cession by
Spain 10 the United States Of the islands
nameG in the cable message from Madrid
SibutG and Kagayan Sulu.
II is admitted on the part OF the United
States that these islands are not within
I the boundary as laid down in article Ill OF
the Treaty Of Peace between the United
States and Spain
The character Of the negotiations in
progress is diplomatic secret. though two
points are clear The first is that The
United States desires that Sibutu and Kag-
ayan Sulu shall not be ceded TO Germany
or 10 any other European Government. and
the second is that Spain desires a cash
consideration for the island. The infer
ence 10 be drawn from what = said al the
state Department is that the United States
will buy the islands outright.
The commercial value Of the islands is
small Their strategic value 20 the United
I States is said to be % no account but IL
is otherwise with regard 10 Germany. and
as the United States will be asked 10 pay
what Germany is willing 10 give the pur-
chase price may bear little relation TO
the commercial value Of the islands
Il vas nearly year ago that Spain in
formed the American Government thar
Sibutu and KagayaE SuIu we're not incl1ded
within the terms Uf he Treaty OF Paris ard
the news was then published tLat Ger
many desired possession Of them. This
Government was not thea positive that he
old Of
maps aEd other data a; the State ard Navy
Departments show that the island rancd
are GCt within the Treaty boundaries
When the state Department became as
sured OF this an understanding was reach ID
with Spain that in the event OF the ceS-
sion Of The islands the claims OF the United
States should have preference
II is the opinion az the state Depart
ment that the news from Madrid Is
an Internal suggestion to the United
States that there is another BIDDER :or
Sibueu and kasayan. Sulu. and thai Spain
wishes TO conclude - transaction.
The Island Of Si5u,L IS the most south
westerly island Of the SuIu Archipelago.
1t lies south CT the nth degree Of north
latitude and west OF the 10th parallel Of
!ongituGe. being about eight degrees south
west Of the nearCst point on Mirdanao. Il
lies close against the east coast OF British
North BoTcsO and TO The east OF Darvel
Bay. Siburu Pass is TO the northwest of
island The area is about fifty square
miles. The land is low and wooded Thee
adjacent islands are shown by recent maps
~ the state Department arc Msnuk- Man
Ia. Pongo2, Tawi-Tawi. and Tataan. These
are within the treaty boundaries. Kagayan
Sulu lies under the seventh degree Of north
latitude and in liS degrees 20 minutes east
longitude. II contains about fifteen square
miles
article III OF the Treaty Of Peace be-
tween the United States and Spain which
establishes the boundary Of the islands ced-
ed BY the latter country 10 the former,
fellows.
spain ceaes to the United States the
archipelago known as the Philippine Isl
oncs, and cOElprehending the islands lying
within the following line
= line running from west 10 east along
or near the twentieth parallel OF north
latitude. and through the middle OF tne
naviczble channel Of Bachi. from the
i1Sth 10 the 127th degree meridian OF lon
gitude east OF Greenwich. thence along
the 12sch degree meridian OF longitude east
Of Greenwich 10 the parallel Of 4 degrees
- minutes north latitude thence aIo-e
the parallel OF 4 degrees and - minutes
nor.h latitude 10 its Intersection with the
meridian of longitude l19 degrees and So
minutes east Of Greenwich. thence along
the meridian or Longitude llS degrees and
p minutes east OF Greenwich to the par
3llel Ct latitude : degrees and forty min
utes north thence along the parallel OF
latitude : degrees and 40 minutes north
10 its intersection with the I16th degree
meridian Of longitude cast OF Greenwich
thence by a direct line 10 the intersection
Of the tenth degree parallel OF north Iati-
tude with the I1Sth degree meridian OF
longitude east OF Greenwich. and thence
along the IlSth degree meridian of loIgi-
tuGe east IF Greenwich to the point Of be-
ginning
The United States VIII pay 20 Spain
the sum of S20. GG0 COO within three months
after the exchange OF the ratifcations OF
the present freely"