Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1904-04-07
SCIENCE STARTLED SULTAN.
Electric Apparatus on American
Warship Filled SuIu Ruler
with WOnderment.

An interesting account Vi Tue ShSCC VI
modern mechanism on the minds OF
semi barbarians is contained in an ac-
count contributed to the Scientific
American by E. c. Rost, of the negotia-
hon of Gen Bates celebrated treaty
with the sultan of sulu in 1899. The
visit of this potentate and his suite to
the cruiser Charleston is thus described:
Great was their wonderment at the
things which they saw. At the sugges-
ton of an officer, the sultan touched an
electric button. Instantly a Chinese
servant appeared as if by magic. Again,
under directions, he operated the but
ton. this time twice, and behold a
United States marine stood in the door
way. From that time on every ornament
aboard ship that in any wise suggested
an electrical button was pushed by the
sultan or some member of his suite. He
was conducted into a dark room and
told to turn the button that ADJUSTED
the lighting apparatus. The flood OF light
that resulted left him with gaping
mouth and dilated eyes. His wonder
ment continued to grow apace through
out the entire afternoon. Whenever OPP
portunity afforded, the sultan OF Sulu re-
peated the performance Of pushing
electric buttons and turning electric
lights on and off. He even went so tar,
when he thought himself unmatched, as
TO try to appropriate one of the bulbs
aglow with light. But the funniest
thing of all was when the mighty CHIEF,
upon invitation, fired the Colts auto
matte gun. The explosion Of the hrst
discharge seemed to root him to the
spot. His hands still gripped the trig-
ger. with the result that shells contln-
ned to pepper the surrounding waters.
Again and again the royal gunner
begged that they stop the action OF the
Internal machine, not knowing that the
medium Of cessation lay in his own
hands. So thoroughly frightened was
the sultan, 1t was impossible to make
him loosen his hold, and an officer or
dered the cutting of the tape, thus stop
ping the supply of ammunition. Inc
one-pounder was next brought into
NAV. and at the first loud boom the sui
tan called the ammunition display OH,
refusing to go near one of the eight
inch guns. which he had also been In
vited to fire. In the meantime his al
tendants. whose knives had been mag
netized. conceived the idea that the EVIL
One himself was aboard They begged
and implored to be taken on shore, and,
quite forgetful Of their bags OF RICE
they scurried down the gang-ladder. AT
night the searchlight was brought 10
hear upon the Moro town of Bus Bus.
The instant desertion Of the town fol-
lowed. even to the dogs, for many weeks
thereafter no amount of persuasion
could induce the inhabitants to return.
Gen Bates made his headquarters in
the town of Jolo, and thither the sui
tan and his staff came on several occa-
sions to discuss the treaty. SuDse-
ouently another visit was made to the
| Charleston. This time the mother OF
the sultan accompanied the party. a
monograph owned by one OF the ofncers
rendered very pleasing selections for the
entertainment of the guests. The aged
dame sat entranced throughout the per-
Torrance. 1t was not until the time
came for her son to affix his signature 70
the treaty that she awakened. Under
one condition only would she permit the
sultan to sign-the photograph must be-
come hers at once. For a time that pho
nograph threatened to be the means OF
upsetting all of Gen. Bates well-ialo
plans for the amicable taking over OF
the islands. Fortunately the owner
was prevailed upon to part with the ma
chine in the interests of his govern
ment, and the coveted music-producei
changed owners at the signing OF tho
treaty by the sultan"