The Vinita weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1905, 1904-05-12
PHILIPPINE PIRATES.
Malay Buccaneers saiII Infest the
Waters About the suiu
Archipelago.


Uncle Sam has started In 10 clean out
the most notorious nest OF freebooters
In the world, which Is In the little archi-
pelago u Sulu For centuries Il has
been the principal headquarters Of the
dreaded Malay pirates. who, at The pres
ent time, when this form Of enterprise
has been wholly abolished everywhere
else, still ravage the seas over which the
United States Is supposed to exercise
the control of a benign government.
II Is fact most curious, as well as iu-
teresting, says a Washington report,
hat piracy in the region OF the sulus,
which was practically extingulshed by
Spanish gunboats 25 years ago, has
gained a renewed prosperity since the
Americans assumed the reins OF power
in the Philippines. We did not UNDER
stand the problem, 10 begin with, and.
secondly. we have had so many other
things to attend 10 IN that part Of the
globe during the last five years that we
have had no time 70 bother with the
regulation OF the free-booting Industry.
Consequently. the rovers OF Jolo. while
prudently refraining from attacks upon
commerce after their old style. have
been most proftahly engaged in making
raids upon the Visayas and otfer neigh
boring groups, pillaRlng towns and
carrying on the inhabitants wholesala
particularly ehildrenD for slaves.
Up to % years ago fleets OF piraticai
vessels sailed regularly-one might al
most say weckly--from Jolo for the
Visayas and c.lsI accessible points,
and, after sacking towns and villages,
returned loaded down with booty and
captive Christians Indeed. Christians,
preferably female, were their most
highly esteemed prey, and the bishop
Of one province on the south coast Of
Mlndanao regretnilly reported to the
Spanish authorities the loss Of no fewer
than 1000 OF bis parishloners by this
method Of sudden and forcible expro-
priation In a single year. Even more
% be deplored was the theft Of valuabls
sllverware and relies from the churches.
which were not spared BY the con-
seienceless Mohammedan royers. On
one occasion pirate Sect. manned BY
1900 sulu freebooters. actually had
the audaeisy to thrsatan. Asanlla.
The speciality Of the Sulu MorOs for
the last half dozen centuries has been
piracy. and Il Is natural that they
should have developed q high degree OF
efficiency in this line Of business. They
grew in time 70 BE- the most expert free
hooters In the world-a se0uree II the
eastern seas, and the most formidable
obstacle Of commerce II the waters over
which they extended their predatory
operations. When the spaniards broke
up the buecaneering industry these fe-
rocious semi-saxages turned their at
tention to Wholesale kidnaping But,
ROW that Uncle Sam has started in to
put a stop TO the mischief. Il must soon
come 10 an END. finally and forever.
By the treaty made by Gen. Bates
with the sultan Of sulu the United
States government bound Itself To re-
spect The sovereignty Of thai comlc-
orera potentate. and. incidentally. 70 re-
AtaAA AAtAA tAHsAAtlFAAE VILE the FF=
ligion and customs of the inhabitants
Of the islands Thus. while the noml-
raj owners Of the little archipelago. in
reality Uncle Sam has exercised over Il
merely the authority Of suzeraln
rover L is nov FULLY recognized that
The agreement II question was a mis-
take and steps have already been taken
70 ahrogate II formally. Oh the ground
that It's terms have been repeatedly and
hagrartly violated by the sultan and
dattos.
Tie next step-already decided upon
II the war depaFiment-wil be the ap-
pointmsnt of a military governor ef
he sulu province Who. IN due time.
when Affairs have become sufficiently
composed WIN Be replaced hy a civii
governor. and the Islands viii thereby
become 90 integral part Of the territory
of the United stafss simultaneously.
polyeamy and slavery-twln institn-
tlons Of barbarism which We have been
placed IN the false position of recognize
Ing and approviug-wlli Be abolished IN
the archleelpago