Evening star., 1936-11-29
SULTAN ELECTION
MAY STIR UP WAR
Death of SuIu Ruler Brings
Crisis Second Time in
5 Months.
BY JAMES G. WINGO.

b1 JAMES u. WlNUOs
Next week when the Moros in the
southern Philippines complete their
third customary gatherings in honor
of His Highness Rajah Muda Ma
who died suddenly November 20, they
will be confronted for the second time
within five months with the election
of a new spiritual ruler. The out
come Of that election may determine
peace or war in Moroland.
The dead ruler left son, Ismael,
but Moro law does not recognize him
as the successor, because Sultan
VAST was not yet crowned when he
passed to the Moslem paradise. How
ever, friends Of the late sultan, led
by his grand vizier. Hadji Butu, are
determined to place him on the throne
Main obstacle to the elevation of
Ismael is Princess Hadji Dayane
Dayang Piandao, adopted daughter OF
His Highness Padukka Mahasari Ma
nulana Hadji Mohammad Jamalulu
Kiram II, brother and predecessor OF
Sultan VAST. Although most Moros
recognized VAST as their spiritual
ruler. Princess Dayang Dayang refused
to do so. She wanted the high Office
for herself. or her husband at least.
Datus Meet Next Week.
waists followers succeeded in oust
ing her from the ramshackle palace at
Maimbung, Jolo Island. where next
week datus, or tribal chiefs, will meet
again to choose new sultan. Trou-
BILE in the Sulu archipelago started
brewing last month when she launched
an intensive campaign to depose
VAST.
Afraid that Dayang Dayang's men
might poison him or cut his throat
VAST had his palace heavily guarded
Several armed thugs broke in one
night to kill and rob him.
The attempt to kill me must be
due to the fact that I am entitled
to the biggest share in the will of the
late sultan" declared VAST shortly
before his death. The will of the
late sultan will be probated soon and
opposed Dayang Dayang's appoint.
ment as administrative of his prop.
erty."
A Philippine government Judge an.
pointed Dayang Dayang administra.
trix OF the estate Of JamaluI II. who
oled last June. As a good friend OF
Manila officials and also of Aurora
Aragon Quezon, wife Of the Presiden,
OF the Philippines, Dayang Dayans
apparently had the support of the
Phllippine commonwealth. However
the national government would no,
care to recognize her claim to the
throne because Of the popularity OF
Wasit and his grand vizier, a famed
Moro patriarch. VAST was not only
recognized by the majority of Sulu
Moros as their sultan but also de.
sired by British North Borneo Moro,
TO be crowned as their spiritual ruler
Company withheld Rent,
Off1cially the Philippine common.
wealth recognized neither candidate
The British North Borneo Co. with.
held its land rent of $1,000 until the
Philippine government clarified the
succession.
With the passing of VAST, Dayane
Dayang may be recognized soon as the
Sultana Of Sulu. for although thu
Philippine government would like t
see the end of the troublesome sui.
tanate, 100000 Moros want Its pres.
ervation.
The Moros, who are recognized q,
among the fiercest of fighting peoples
will not readily take dictation from
Manila about their affairs. Upor
hearing rumors last month that tn,
Philippine government might recog
nize Dayang Dayang, who was visit.
ing her friends among Manila Of
ficialdom. many datus. maharajahs
panglimas and imams retired to theil
secret cotas (strongholds) to prepar,
for the expected fighting.
The Philippine constabulary sta.
toned in Sulu was reinforced. Fo
the first time Moros were forbidden
to carry their traditional arms o
krises. barongs and kampilans.
Observers Of the situation in tht
potential Philippine powder keg be.
lieve that the curtailment of the
Moro's privilege to carry even hi.
kris and interference with his re.
ligion and customs will make hin
again pick up his kris. which hi
promised Gen. John j. Pershing II
keep in the scabbard after the de.
cisive battle of Bud Bagsak in 1918.