Evening star., 1901-05-25
People of Sulu Satisfied With the
Corrupt Old Ways.
TAFT COMMISSION IN 4 QUANDARY
Habits and Customs Not to Be
lntertered With Now.
THE VIEWS OF THE DATTOS


Correspondence of the Associated Press.
JOLO. Island Of Sulu. March 2S.-The
hopefulness which has always been
marked characteristic Of the United States
Philippine commission was not increased
by that body's visit to the Sulu archipelago.
While little In the way of improvement was
expected from the Moros, the fact devel-
oped by the brief contact with these people
was that they showed no desire for any
thing different from their old way Of giving
easy-going allegiance to their nearest dat
tos and to the sultan: paying to them their
trifling poll tax, and when convicted of
theft. not uncommon occurrence, stealing
more in order to pay their fines and avoid
being sold into slavery.
Close acquaintance with the barbaric
backwardness of these people was an object
lesson to the commission, and at the close
of the visit the members were in state Of
considerable uncertainty as to how 20 deal
with the situation. They took lot nf tes-
timony from military officers, foreigners
and dattos, with a view to future delib=ra-
tton.
Slavery and PoIygamy.
Slavery and polygamy appear to be as
strongly implanted as ever among the
Moros. 1t is the universal opinion Of the
Americans who visit Jolo that any attempt
to abolish either at present would be idle,
and Judge Taft in his first formal interview
with the sultan assured him lAat there was
no purpose Of interference with any of the
habits, customs or religion of the inhab-
itants. The whole outfit, from master to
naked little boy, tahe far more pride In
petty warlike prestige than in any sort Of
industry. The datto reads nothing. keeps
no accounts, maintains as many wives as
pleases him, and lives life Of idleness and
Ignorance. His only law is the Koran, and
self.
There can be no question but that Joro
continues to sustain its claim TO being the
cleanest town in the Philippines. But being
a military reservation, 1t is hardly SO Won
derfui that its broad roadways are always
neatly spread with clean sand, it's cutters
trinity built of stone and It's houses scru-
pulously neat in their frequent coats of
paint and whitewash.
Malaria, however, is still very prevalent.
A considerable percentage of the four COM
panles of troops stationed here are usually
i'll, but the malaria rarely has directly
fatal result.
Want More Self-GOvernment.
The dattos talk much more freely when
the army officers are not within hearing
In speaking with the Associated Press cor
respondent. they insisted that the town
of Jolo ought to be freed from the restric-
tions and seventies Of military govern
ment
They admitted that 1t would be out Of the
question for the Moros to have the slight
est share in self-government scheme. but
they believe that the civil affairs of the
place ought to be governed by president,
secretary-treasurer and possibly a small
committee Of councillors appointed by the
commission. They would not. they said.
object to the presence Of troops-in fact,
they were glad to have that protection-but
they were Of one mind in wanting slight
measure Of civil town government in ac-
cordance with American as against Spanish
not put forward to the commissioners in a
direct manner. for the reason that the dat
tos were a little furttve. and disinclined to
express themselves in what might have
been regarded desire to rid themselves
Of their pre- mt authorities, the army Of
fcers who sat by listening.
In conversation with the military men,
they declared that according to their ex-
to successfully govern the islanders by any
civil government. They believed that the
provost marshal Of Jolo and his subordi-
mates were taking care OF affairs in the
only way in which 1t could be done. and
that interference by civil process would
only cause friction.
The commissioners appeared to be Of
about the same mind. so far as the present
outlook goes but the question Of govern
ment Of Jolo was taken under advisement
along with other Sulu problems.
Treaty Causes Differences.
The greater problem Of the exercise of
future authority over the Sulu archipelago
is beclouded by the treaty made by Gen.
eral Bates with the Sultan. According to
it's terms the treaty can be abrogated only
by consent Of both parties.
1t has admittedly been violated In minor
respects by both parties. For instance,
the treaty provides that Moros accused Of
crime be tried by Moro courts, which, in
effect means the sultan or dattos. The
sultan complains that the army officers
have insisted on trying Moros charged
with piracy.
The officers hold that the suppression of
piracy is naturally legitimate function
Of a sovereign power. The officers here
assert that the treaty is a clog on the prog
ress Of affairs. and they favor negotiation
for it's abrogation. Those conversant with
the situation believe that events will per-
haps. before long, necessitate new deal
with the sultan.
Sulu questions in general will be import
ant features to be dealt with by the soon
to-be-organized general government Of the
Philippines.