Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-03-14
RULE IN PHILIPPINES
TAFT HEARD BY
HOUSE INsULAR COMMITTEE.
Explains About the Abrogration Of the
Bates Treaty With Sultan
Of Sulu.

Secretary Taft was heard today by the
House committee on insular affairs on the
pending bill, "to provide for the more ef-
ficient administration of civil government
in the Philippines" Prior to the hearing
Chairman Cooper read to the committee
cablegram. sent by Secretary Taft, March
2. abrogating the Bates treaty between the
United States and the Sultan of Sulu and
his dattos.
The Secretary was asked about this, and
replied that the action was taken because
disturbances in the Jolo group Indicated
that the Moros had violated the terms OF
the treaty. Prompt action was taken in
preference to referring the matter to Con-
gress. because of the continuation of the
disturbances. President Roosevelt was
consulted and approved the action. Under
conditions which existed the Secretary said
he regarded tie executive authority ample
to abrogate the treaty. The treaty he said
was IAN executive agreement or modus
vivendi.
Secretary Taft told the committee that
he had received a cablegram today from
General Wade. stating that the general had
received telegram from General Wood,
which stated that on account of the anti
slavery proclamation the Moros of the Rio
Grande del Mndanao district had arisen;
that this armed force had been met and
defeated with no American loss, but with
considerable loss to the Moros A consid-
cradle number of small cannon was cap
tured from the Moros in the engagement.
Il am disappointed at this news" re-
marked Secretary Taft. because 1 supposed
that the Moros of that district were in
condition where that sort of thing was not
possible"
Representative Patterson (Tenn.). mem
Der of the committee, who has a bill pend
ing to abrogate the Bates treaty on the
ground that it recognized slavery and DO
iygamy and was unconstitutional, asked
line of questions to ascertain whether con-
gressional action was now necessary.
Secretary Taft answered that in his opin-
ion. the executive action already taken had
put an end to the Bates agreement. But
the action of Congress to that end would
make assurance doubly sure"
Slavery Not Recognized.
The Secretary denied absolutely that the
treaty recognized either slavery or polyg-
amy.
How about article 1922 asked Repre-
sentative Williams Qlls).
There is no such article in the treaty"
replied Secretary Taft President Nc
Kinley eliminated that article before he APP
proved the treaty.
But slavery has existed" persisted Mr..
Patterson.
Whenever slave has presented himself
he has been freed; the Moros have not gone
to war on account of slavery, neither has
slavery been destroyed by force Of arms
by the United States but the slave trade
has been suppressed just as far as it has
been possible. The institution of slavery
prevails wherever there are Moros," was
the answer.
Mr.. Patterson wanted to know II in "pre-
serving his property rights the treaty did
not recognize slavery on the part of the
sultan
The treaty preserves those rights which
he had answered Secretary Taft. What
rights he had was a question left open He
claimed a great deal that he never had"