The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-10-08
TREATY WITH THE JOlOS.
sO-CALLED SLAVERY FEATURE An
OTHER MIsREPREsEyTATIo
Gen. Grosvenor Presents Documents
Proving That No such Clause
Was in Any Way Ratined or APP
proved by President Mckinley.

CHICAGO. Oct s.-congressman Gros-
venor. OF Ohio. spoke at Republican
meeting in Evanston. Ill. tonight in de-
Tense of President McKiniey's action re-
garding the so-calied slavery treaty with
the sultan Of Jolo. Gen. Grosvenor pre-
scented a number OF official documents to
show that the arrangements with the
sultan were only temporary. On Dec 10.
1899. Gen Otis commanding at Manila,
sent to Cen Bates, in command In the
Mohammedan islands, a letter OF instruc-
lions. In which he said:
Il am directed to inclose for your In
formation, action and guidance a copy OF
a confidential war department communi-
, cation. dated October % last. which con-
tatns notice OF the approval of his ex-
ceilency, the president OF the United
States. Of the agreement Of August 20.
1899, between yourself as agent of the
government and the sultan and certain
datos of the Joo archipelago, subject,
however. TO the conditions presented In
the last clause OF Article H. OF the late
Paris treaty, and which reads as fol-
lows:
The civil rights and political rights
Of the native Inhabitants OF the territory
hereby coded to the United States shall
be determined by congress-
This conditional approval, IL Will be
seen by reference to the war department
understanding that the existence OF
slavery, or involuntary servitude. in any
portion OF the Philippines Is in no wise
authorized. as under the thirteenth
amendment OF the United States consti-
tuition, the authorization or recognition
of slavery status by the executive OF
the government is impossible. You viii
carefully note the instructions IN the
communication which direct that when
the sultan Is informed of the presidents
conditional approval OF the agreement,
inquiry be made as 70 the extent TO which
slavery. Is practiced in the archipelago.
the number Of people held as slaves and
what practical course of action looking
to their emancipation can be adopted
by reference to the notes OF your In
terviews and conferences with the sultan
and his representatives. which accompa-
MED the agreement and were submitted to
this office. and from information obtained
from other sources. II is believed that
the market price Of slaves in the archi-
pelago Is Insignificant, ranging from $50
10 500 Mexican, and that in some in.
stances owners will he pleased to grant
freedom to their slaves II they can escape
the burden OF supporting them.
Character Of Moro slavery.
'Tt Ia understood. too, that the charac-
ter OF domestic slavery existing In tho
archipelago differs greatly from the for
mer slavery institutions in the United
States In this, that the Moro slave. So
called becomes a member Of the owners
family. enjoying certain privileges, and
often voluntarily sells himself to better
hts condition and secure some slight tenn
porary Individual benefit. Hence It IL de-
sired that you report on the character OF
this Moro slavery. IN order that the In
stitution, as existing, may be fully APP
preciated. The number of slaves secured
by the Moros. through capture or by
purchase through other bands, tribes or
races, and now held by them. and tho
number Of them in use who have volun-
tarily or involuntarily entered the condi-
ton OF slavery might be approximately
stated
You will conduct your inquiries with
the caution prescribed In the inciosed war
department communication making full
report Of the same TO this ONCE as soon
investigation. with report thereon. TO
other Philippine. islands inhabited by
Moros ana where they have planted their
domestic institution.
''The generals letter was approved by
Secretary Root January Is, 1900.
Thus II will be seen" said Congress-
man Grosvenor. that the statement tina.
the president OF the United States In any
way ratified or approved OF the existence
OF slavery or involuntary servitude In the
Iolo archipelago was utterly false In It's
inception and II crimlnaly false IN It's
repetition"