The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1904-07-30

% Mild Sort and Said to Be Agree
able to Many Held in
Bondage.

Il
OF Plaean, a short distance south ot
Port Santa Maria. Three Moros ar,
rVed at the village In a vinta one
morning and inquired OF a man named
Butus, who, with his two small chill
dren, was standing near the shore, II
they could buy some buyo (betelnut)
IN the village, and, receiving an affirm
atlVe reply, brought their vinta up on
the beach and came ashore. AS soon
as they landed. two rushed upon Butus
and held him, while the third member
OF the party seized the children and
forced them to get into the yinta.
Butus struggled with his captors and
tried to draw his bolo. but the Moros
held him tight and threatened to XII
him If he did not drop his weapon. which
he finally did The two Moros then re-
leased him, and. running down to the
water jumped into the vinta. which
had been made ready by the third Moro
and pushed off Butus ran into the
house and obtained spear and then ran
after the Moros, but they were then too
far away for him to reach them.
His arrival had the effect of divertirg
their attention from their two captives.
and the little boy. taking advantage OF
his opportunity. jumped overheard and
swan ashore The little girl, being too
young TO help herself in this matter.
was forced TO remain in thevinta. which
proceeded in the direction OF Jolo. from
from which place it is supposed these
Moros came.
Similar cases have occurred before at
Placan and other places along the coast
OF zamboanga, the perpetrators in every
case being Joloanos. who make reg
ular business OF stealing children and
selling them into slavery.
Rajah Muda Mandi. to whom the case
was reported by the father, Immediate
ly informed Gov Finley of the facts.
The Raiah Muda was highly indignant
about the matter. AS is well known,
this highly civilized Moro has prohib-
tied slavery throughout his dominions,
and the fact that the Joloanos had in
vaded his territory added fuel to his
anger. BY direction of Gov Finley he
instituted a search for the missing child.
and the authorities have been directed
to lend every assistance in their power
Sandican. Sama Lutangan Moro, liv-
ing at Masingluc. came into town and
complained 10 Gov Finley that he had
gone TO the village OF Lahuansulu one
night. for the purpose Of bringing his
sister. Adjilia. and her husband. sadian.
Kalibugan. with him to Masingluc.
and that Salip Abdullah, the head man
Of that place refused to allow them to
leave. giving as a reason that the wealth
er was not favorable for trip Of that
kind The real cause Of his refusal was
that Abduliah claims Sadian as his slave.
having paid so pesos for him about five
years ago to Orang Caya Urang, who re-
sides at Cubuan.
Sandican managed to smuggle his sis
ter away with him. but could not get |
Sadian, who. however, managed to make |
his escape later and came to Masingluc. |
Gov Finley has sent messengers TO |
salip Abdullah and Orang Caya Urang
their presence at his Office.
and the matter Will probably be adjusted
On the whole. slavery in this region.
II Il be compared with the system ir
other countries. will appear exceedingly
mild Master and slave usually live in
the same house. eat the same food. and
exist on the same plane Undoubtedly
many OF the born servants in this region
prefer the easy life they lead in the
house OF a strong master, who always
has enough rice and fish for them. to
The struggle for existence that would fol-
ow their liberation.
Slavery is not merely an institution;
I is also a stage OF evolution, and many
0f the slaves Of this region are yet at
he low stage Of development at which
he mild slavery in which they live suits
hem better than freedom.
Polygamy. however. presents more
Iificult problem. being a religious in
ititution. Speaking on this subject. one
II the most intelligent dattos said
Your government can take away our
iaves; our own religion teaches that il
$ wrong to enslave Mohammedans: but
,olygamy. on the contrary. is a part Of
ur religion. and the government ought
o leave It alone"
Laws passed with the intent Of abol-
shing II would only make matters
worse n anything could precipitate q
ght between these tribes and the
americans. such laws would do so. and 2
fter the tumult was over the institu-
ion would survive. active though in
iding After all the overwhelming
majority of these PEOPLE are monogam-
us already. The number of men sup
orting more than one wife. In all this I
istrict. is only about 40 or As.