The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-02-02
N The SllUS.
While as Bad, in Principle. as
Anywhere Else
NOT TIE SOUTHERN SORT
Slaves Worth $50 to S90,and
Well Treated.

Washington, Feb. LIN compliance with
a resolution of inquiry the president today
sent to the senate a ca2y Of the report
and all accompanying papers OF Brigadier
General J. c. Bates in relations to the
negotiations of treaty or agreement
made by him with the Sultan of sulu last
August In reply to the request the presi-
dent says:
1.-THE payment Of money provided by the
agreement will be made from the reve-
nues of the Philippine Islands, unless
congress shall otherwise direct. Such pay
ments are not for specific services but
are a part of the consideration going 10
the Sulu tribe or nation under the agree
ment. and they have been stipulated for,
subject to the action Of congress, in con-
formity with the practice OF this govern
iaent from the earliest times with the
Indians. in negotiations for portions of
territory subject to the sovereignty OF the
United States"
General Otis, in transmitting the treaty
August :. says: 1.-THE attitude of these
people have been the subject Of appre-
tSIAolO4l LOL SENEAe d. tlAiLtllSs anu A4 Ills
agreement 1 believe that the apprehend-
ed difficulties are happily adjusted"
Secretary Root, in reply dated Octo-
her q. tells General Otis that "the agree
ment IS confirmed and approved by the
president subject to the action of con-
gress and with the understanding which
should be distinctly stated to the Sultan
of Sulu, that this agreement Is not to be
deemed in any way to give the consent
Of the United States to the existence of
slavery in the Sulu archipelago. At the
same time when submitting to the Sultan
the above mentioned understanding the
president desires that you should make
inGriry as to the number OF persons held
in slavery in the archipelago and what
arrangements it may be practicable to
make for their emancipation"
In his instruction to General Bates
under this direction, General Otis says:
at is believed that the market price OF
slaves in the archipelago is insignificant.
ranging from $50 to 500, Mexican. and that
in some instances owners will be pleased
to grant freedom to their slaves if they
can escaDe the burden of supporting
them"
General Otis continues to the effect that
the character of the domestic slavery ex-
listing in the archipelago differs greatly
from the former slavery institutions Of
the United States, the slaves becoming
members of the owners family.
General Bates in his report states that
when he first asked to see the sultan the
latter sent his greetings. saying he could
not come to see the general because
he had boAs on his neck and could not
put on his coat. but that he zvould rec
ognize the protection of the United
States, requesting, as favor, that he
might hoist his own flag alongside that
ofthe United States. The sultan's brother
went to Jolo to meet General Bates AID
the sultan afterwards Joined him. Cen
eral Bates states in this connection that
the Sulus are very jealous Of their in
sutution Of slavery In his original in
structions to General Bates, General Otis
instructed him to push to the front the
question of sovereignty and told him he
could promise for the United States not
TO interfere with but to protect the Mo-
ros IN the free exercise Of their religion
and custom, social and domestic. and To
respect the rights and dignities of the
sultan and his administrators In return
they must acknowledge the sovereignty
OF the United States. He also instructed
General Bates that II was important tba+
the United States should OCCUPY the
distributing centers of trade
and that SLASH, the capital, should be oc-
cupied by our troops at no distant dav