The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-02-02
TREATY WITH THE SULUS
COPY OF GEN. BATES'S AGREEMENT
SENT TO THE SENATE.
President Mckinley Says the Annuity
Promised the sultan Is Similar to
Money Paid Our Indians.

WASHINGTON, Feb. LIN compliance
with resolution of inquiry the President
to-day sent to the Senate copy of the re-
PORT and all accompanying papers of Briga-
der General j. c. Bates in relation to the
negotiation of a treaty or agreement made
by him with the Sultan of Suu last Au-
gust. In replying to the request the Pres
ident says 1.-THE payments of money pro-
vided for by the agreement will be made
from the revenues of the Philippine
islands, unless Congress shall otherwise
direct. Such payments are not for specific
purposes. but are a part Of the considera-
ton promised the Sulu tribe nation
under the agreement and they have been
stipulated. subject to the action of Con-
gress, in conformity with the practice of
this government from the earliest times
in it's agreements with the various Indian
nations occupying and governing portions
of territory subject TO the sovereignty of
the United States
General Otis, in transmitting the treaty
Aug. q. says: 1.-The attitude of these peo-
pie has been the subject of apprehension
for several months and by this agreement
l believe that the apprehended pending
difficulties are happily adjusted
Secretary Root, in a reply dated Oct. "a,
tells General Otis that 1.-The agreement is
confirmed and approved by the President.
subject to the action OF Congress, and with
the understanding and reservation, which
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 existence of slavery in the Sulu archi-
pelago. At the same time when you COM
municate TO the Sultan the above men
toned understanding. the President desires
that you make inquiry as 10 the number
of persons held in slavery IN the archipela-
go and what arrangement 1T may be prac-
teal to make for their emancipation
In his instructions to General Bates under
this direction General Otis says: 1T Is be-
lieved the market price of slaves in the
archipelago is insignificant, ranging from
$50 to $50 Mexican, and that in some in
stances owners will be pleased 10 grant
freedom to their slaves IL they can escape
the burden OF supporting them" General
Otis continues to the effect that the char
acter OF the domestic slavery existing 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. says that
when he first asked 10 see the Sultan the
latter sent his greetings. saying he could
not come TO see the general because he had
boils on his neck and could not put on his
coat. but that he would recognize the pro-
lection of the United States, requesting as
a favor that he might hoist h. own flag
alongside that OF the United States. The
Sulton's brother went TO Joio to meet Cen
eral Bates and the Sultan afterward joined
him. General Bates states in this connec-
ton that the Sulus are very jealous of
their institutions OF slavery.
In his original orders 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