The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-02-13
FROM ISLE OF sULU.
A Leavenworth Volunteer Writes of
Our Sultan and Possessions.

Leavenworth, Feb ia letter from one
of Uncle Sans soldiers now stationed
close to Borneo. in the Isle of Sulu, part
of the newly acquired American possess
ten by Private Wilfred MeWiliamS, of
the hospital corps, who left Fort Leaven-
home T9Ttn is in Topnganoxie' in Leavenworth
county. The letter shows that the soldier
boys are pleased with these islands, ana
it contains very interesting reading. Prl-
waite McWilliams writes from Jolo, Isle
of Sulu, December %. He says IN part o
left Fort LeaVenWorth april u. 1888
Mia Bay May 27, and went ashore the
would have been hard to find to be on
firm ground again. after being on water
thirty-two days. I was detailed on duty
at the First Reserve Hospital, which on
September l had ], 400 patients, and is the
largest hospital in these islands.
and arrived here October 2. 1 am about
$50 miles south of Manila, about $50 miles
miles from Borneo The I'd and Sd bat
talions of the 23d infantry are stationed
any other American soldiers This is a
group of small islands, and, while. gener-
ally considered a part of the philippines,
it IS not. It is known and marked on the
map as Zulu Islands or Zulu archipel-
ago. The, Island of Jolo IS small and APP
parently insignificant, but is very rich in
natural resources. 1t is also an import
ant military station; It is thirty miles les
terror is very mountainous and heavily
wooded. The natives are entirely differ
ent from the fflpinos and are called
Moros. They are very dark and their
bodies are slim and straight as an ar
row. They are lower in the scale of
civilization than the F'ilipinos, and remind
one of the wild men of the circus: Mo-
hammedanism is the only religion known
to them and the Sultan is supreme ruler
of both church and state. Like all Mo-
hammedans they glory in war. ana are
at war among themselves and always
made trouble for the Spaniards when they
7vzrI N1n
native soldiers are equipped with Rem
ingtons and Mausers, and always go
Shields and q. borang. The borang is a
large knife similar to the FiipinoS bOlO.
The handle is generally mace OF teak
pearls. The blade is made of fine steel,
tapering to a point. It is always kept
sharp as a razor and makes savage
weapon IN close fighting. Some of the
natives also wear an armOr. 1t is made
of whalebone or buffalo horn linked to-
gether with chains of brass and might
make a good protection from spear or
borang, but would never do for the mod
Joio the natives deserted their homes and
fled to the interior. The Spaniards had
given us a. bad name to them, and they
expected to see a wholesale massacre fol-
low. But they soon saw that If there
was going to be any trouble they would
returned now and seem glad to welcome
peace The Sultan met our commanding
officer, Major Sweet, and agreed to terms
of peace, so we anticipate no trouble.
The American flag is flying over the Sui
tans palace and everybody seems happy.
The town of JoIo is a very pretty place.
1t was built by the Spaniards and is as
modern as could be expected In this part
of the world It has about 1000 inhabi-
tants, most of whom are Chinese and
Spaniards. Like all of the Spanish cities,
it is protected by a high stone wall,
which surrounds it from the land side:
The houses are all built of white coral
limestone and are generally two stories
high. The streets are wide and well
sniaaed: me plazas are S we4 set set with
is model flower garden, which surpasses
anything l ever saw In America The
scenery here is superb We always have
a pleasant seabreeze. and the climate is