Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1903-10-09

not interfere with the religion and Gus
toms of the Moros; but even if that prom
Use had not been made, it certainly would
. have been no easy matter for us to abOl
ish the Moro institutions of polygamy
and slavery.
AS to slavery in Sulu, we are repeatedly
told that it is very different from that
once in practice in this country. There
is not the same social degradation, the
relation does not place gulf between
master and man. Both wear the same
sort Of clothes, eat at the se me table, and
live in the same house. Often slave is
given an opportunity to purchase his
freedom, but makes no use whatever OF
the opportunity, is Indifferent to liberty.
The land of Sulu is beautiful with the
-luxuriance of tropical foliage and bloom,
and it is one of the most healthful re-
gions in all the Philippines. Life there
is not very strenuous, not even the slaves
having to make much struggle for ex-
istence. The surrounding waters supply
fish in abundance, the land gives plent1-
full, easily gathered harvests of cOcoanuts,
mangoes, bananas and numberlesS other
fruits. It is said very little manual work
is done by anyone, even the slaves work
ing only when they feel like it. But this
sounds to us of the worka-day world
something like fairy tale.
The Suluans show very little Of Span
ish influence, they having never been
really dominated by Spain. The average
Filipino has aped Spanish manners for
a couple OF centuries past, but in Sulu
one finds crude. barbaric, most pic
turesque native. little, affected by the
white mans civilization. He resembles
the Apache Indian in physique, but Goes
not wear his hair long; he is counted
fearless as the typical Indian of olden
days, and shows his courage both on land
and sea, as much at home in the water as
any islander of them all. Lieut. Col.
Owen ]. SWEET, military governor Of the
Sulu archipelago. reports there is no rec
ord of Moro drowning. When engaged
IN the pearl fishing, an important in
'dustry of Sulu. the Moro dives to the bot
tom of the sea at depths of from IS to
100 feet.
The costume affected by the Sulu male
q, reminds one of comic opera makeup;
trousers similar to a clowns tights. a
loose upper garment, and q funnel
shaped affair for head covering. The
dress of the Sulu woman is very similar
TO that Of her brother, only her lower
garments are of more generous cut. Mr.
Whitmarsh. an appreciative traveller,
thus describes Sulu dude: "One fellow
F.. I saw was decked out in pair of skin
tight trousers embroidered with silk IL
stripes OF orange, red and green, and but
toned from ankle to calf with small pearl
discs. His waist was encircled many
times by fiaring sash. also Of many COL
-ors, which held in position. ready for in
-stant use. a small kris dagger and a
splendid wavy handled barong- A tight
Elton jacket of apple green, with sleeves
reaching to the knuckles. partially cover
ed his upper half: and bowling red and
yellow turban crowned the costume"
A SULTAN while yet mere lad begins
to wear a display of weapons. and the
weapons worn In Sululand are dreadful
things. though splendid IS to mounting
and always Keen end bright The ia
prIte = q double-edse sword. the k.is.