New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-01-07

Full black line OF the treaty between Grea
March. 1885 The broken line is that OF the II
Paris, December 10. 1855
sessions on the north. This assurance is a
document whose existence was naturally un-
known 10 Americans and carefully concealed by
Spaniards who were familiar with its imPor-
lance in connection with Philippine boundary
lines. which would give the United States sew
eraI important islands which the Spanish au
thorities asserted not under their
sovereignty and which they claimed to be power
less to cede
At the moment the German warships in the
Pacific. in executing Prince Bismarck's new ex-
pansion policy, were hosting the German flag
over the Carolnes, an act which was sutse-
quently set aside by the arbitration OF the Pope,
the plenipotentiaries Of Spain, Great Britain
and Germany signed at Madrid in March. 1885,
treaties establishing the extent OF Spanish
ownership nearest the German possessions in
the Celebes to the southeast and British terri
tory in Borneo TO the southwest.
BRITISH TREATY WITH SPAIN
The essential features OF the British treaty,
which is alone Of Importance to the United
States. and which, It Is definitely known, will be
respected by Great Britain's recognizing the
United States the legal successor Of Spain,
consists OF the following articles:
Article THE Governments Of Great Britain
ard Spain recognize the sovereignty Of Spain
over the points eHectually occupied as well as
those which have not yet been occupied in the
Archipelago Of SuIu (JolO). Of which the limits
are established in Article II.
Article 1.-THE Archipelago OF SuIu Golo)
conforms TO the definition contained in Article
Of the treaty signed September %, 1886. between
the Spanish Government and the Sultan Of Sulu
Jolo), comprising all the Islands which are
found between the western extremity Of Min
danao one hand and the continent OF Borneo
and the island OF Poragua (Palawanl on the
other. with the exception OF those which are
indicated IN Article III
1t is intended that the Stands OF BaIabac and
OF Cagayan-Jolo form part Of the archipelago.
Article III.-The Spanish Government re-
nounces before the Britannia Government all
p-etensions Of sovereignty over the territories
o. the continent OF Borneo which, belong OF
which have belonged in the past. to the Sultan
Of Suiu DOlo). comprising the netghbortng
Islands OF Balabangan. Banguey and Malawah
marine leagues along the coast and which
form part OF the territories administered by
the company called British North Borneo Com
pany"
THE TRUE BOUNDARY
The true boundary in accordance with this
treaty shown in The Tribune map, IS precisely
that given on Plate 81 OF "Stieler's Hand Atlas"
published at Gotha by Justus Perthes Just be-
fore the war with Spain. Article " Of the pro-
tocoI agreed upon by the three Powers gave
Great Britain and Germany open door" trade
privileges in tFs Suus and in Article v Great
Britain bound herself to permit full liberty Of
commerce and navigation in the waters Of
Borneo.
Sibutu Island. as described in Findlay's d.
rectory IN 1878 is about eighteen miles distant
from Observation Islet, south OF Bongalao. II
runs nearly north and south. and Is about four
teen miles long with average breadth Of two
miles With the exception OF the single peak on
the east coast. which has an altitude OF 524 feet
4- An~
denseIy wooded. steep reef tringes the coast
and then runs nearly eight miles south Of its
extreme southern point some small islands with
trees lying near it's southwest extreme. From
two to two and half miles west OF Sibutu a
chain OF isets and reefs runs 10 the southwest
and parallel to IT. Of which OmapIn and Tumin-
dao islands are the principal There Is deep
channel between sibutu and these islands which
"a freouenteG by the bAche-de-mer. The ma
tives report that wild cattle are very numerous
in Sibutu and that Omapin a5ounds with wild
pigs
OTHER ISLANDS TO BE OCCUPIED.
The formal acquisition Of sibutu leaves two
small island groups omitted by the treaty. 10 De
nut under American sovereignty and ii is the
expectation IN the Navy that Admiral Watson
Will announce the accomplishment OF his IN
structions 70 that end in the course OF another
week These are known by their principal ISL
and Cagayan-Suu, which is strategically OF
greater Importance than Sioutu. From report
made to the British Admiralty by Captain
Chimmo. r ", who was cruising IN search OF
desirable coaling stations the following account
OF this latest American possession Is taken:
CagayAn de Suu is small group In the south
western part OF the Sulu Sea bearing about hun
dred miles north by west from Cape Unsang on
BCrneo, and seventy 1--we miles OF MRIIawaile
Island. south OF Banguey- 1t seems 70 belong 10
Power. unless claimed by the Sulu Sultan. and
was a resort for pirates
There several tnlets in the northward: the
northernmozt Quinapusan, IS eleven miles north
one-haf from the chief island ana the south
srnmost Mutigns. FIVE miles to the southwest. one
In IN the form OF saddle: they have an auchora %
near them. and they are safe TO approach.
island CaEayan Is large thos,sz 4
feet high and well clothed with trees II - -
volcanic origin and a portion OF il appears as a
complete crater, having or more very d@@o
circular basins within The edge. but they are quite
barred from approach from the sea