The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-02-02
SULTAN HAD BOILs.
An Important Fact Hitherto Con-
ceaIed From Congress.

Washington, Feb. 2.-In compliance
with a resolution of inquiry the presi-
dent has sent to the senate a copy of
report and all accompanying papers of
Brigadier General J. G. Bates in rela-
ton to the negotiation of a treaty or
agreement made by him with the Sui
tan of Sulu last August.
In replying to the request the pres1-
dent says:
THE payments of money provided for
by the agreement will be made from the
revenues of the Philippine islands, I'M
less congress shall otherwise direct.
Such payments are not for specific ser
vices, but are a part of the considera-
ton going to the Sulu tribe or nation
under the agreement and they have
been stipulated for, subject to the action
of congress in conformity with the
practice OF this government from the
earliest times in its agreements with
the various Indian nations occupying
and governing portions of territory
subject to the sovereignty Of the United
States"
Gen. Otis in transmitting the treaty
August Z, says:
THE attitude of these people has been
the subject of apprehension for several
months, and by this agreement believe
that the apprehended differences are
happily adjusted"
Secretary Root in a reply dated Oc
tober 81, tells Gen. Otis that 'the agree
ment is confirmed and approved by the
president subject to the action of con-
gress with the understanding and res
ervation that it should be distinctly
communicated to the Sultan of Sulu
that this agreement is not to be deemed
in any way to authorize or give the
consent of the United States to the ex-
istence of slavery in the Sulu archipe-
lago. At the same time when you COM
municaIe to the Sultan the above men,
toned understanding the president de-
sires that you should make inquiry as
to the number of persons held in slav-
cry in the archipelago and what ar
rangement it may be practicable to
make for their emancipation.
In his instructions to Gen. Otis under
this direction Gen. Otis says:
1T is believed that the market price
of slaves in the archipelago is insight
icant ranging from $50 to $50 Mexican,
and that in some instances owners will
be pleased to grant freedom to their
slaves if they can escape the burden OF
supporting Them.
Gen. Otis continues to the effect that
the character Of the domestic slavery
existing in the archipelago differs great
ly from the former slavery institutions
of the United States. the slaves becom-
ing members of the owners family.
Gen. Bates in his report states that
when he first asked to see the cultan,
the latter sent his greetings, saying he
could not come to see the general be
cause he had boils on his neck and could
not put on his coat, but that he would
recognize the protection of the United
States requesting as a favor that he
might hoist his own flag alongside that
of the United States. The sultans bro
Their went to Jolo to meet Gen. Bates
and the sultan afterwards Joined him.
Gen. Bates states in this connection
that the Sulus are very Jealous of their
institution of slavery.
In his original instructions to Gen.
Bates, Gen. Otis instructed him to push
to the front the questions of sovereign
ty and told him he could promise for the
United States not to interfere with but
to protect MorOS in the FIRE exercise
of their religion and customs, social
and domestic and to respect the rights
and dignities of the sultan and his ad-
mirers. In return they must acknowI-
edge the sovereignty of the United
States.
He also instructed Gen. Bates that it
was important that the United States
should occupy the principal distribut-
ing centers of trade and that Siassi the
capital should be occupied by our
troops at no distant date.