Terms Of Solu Treaty

TERMS OF SULU TREATY

Uncle Sam's Dealings With the Moro Sultan.

AMOUNT OF SALARY HE RECEIVES.

Our Eastern Potentate Is Being Paid $500 a Month, and His Government Is Guaranteed Protection as It Now Exists-Queer Signatures of the Sultan and His Subordinates.

In a special dispatch from Washington the New York World prints what it says is the treaty which has been agreed to by the sultan of Sulu and the United States as to the government and control of the sultan's dominions and the relations between the two nations. Secretary of State Hill, the article says, asserts that the document is of a military rather than of a diplomatic character, as it was entered into between the army and the sultan with the consent of President McKinley.

It is even doubtful whether or not it will be sent to congress to be formally ratified, in accordance with the rule established for the treatment of documents affecting the relations of the United States with a foreign country and with the Indian tribes.

The terms of the treaty which The World says has been unanimously approved by President McKinley's cabinet, but which Washington authorities now state have not been approved by the president, are substantially as follows:

1. The United States guarantees protection to the government of the sultan as it now exists.

2. The United States agrees that all trade and domestic products of the archipelago, when carried on by the sultan or the Moro people under the flag of the United States, is to be free, unlimited and undutiable.

3. The sultan is allowed to communicate direct with the military governor of the Philippines at Manila in making complaint, protest or recommendation concerning the acts of United States officers representing American authority at Jolo. (The principal town and seat of the sultan's government.)

4. The United States agrees to the preservation of existing social conditions on condition that every person held in bondage or ownership under grant of the sultan, or by individual purchase, shall be entitled to his liberty upon the payment of $20 (American money) to the crown.

5. For governing his subjects and preserving the peace, in accordance with the instructions from the military governor of the islands, the sultan is to receive the equivalent of $500 American money per month; his three chief advisers to receive $75 a month, and three secondary advisers $60 a month; the sultan's secretary, $50 per month; the keeper of his household, known as Raja Mura (keeper of the royal harem), $40 per month, and Serif Saguin (assistant keeper), $15 per month.

6. The United States agrees not to sell any part of the archipelago to any foreign power without the consent of the sultan and his government.

1. Hadgi Mohamad Womolol Kiran, on behalf of the sultanate of Sulu, agrees to maintain absolute peace among his subjects and to punish, with the assistance of the United States government, all hostile acts against he sovereignty of the latter government.

2. The sultan and his government agree to the second article dictated by the United States.

3. The sultan agrees to the third article dictated by the United States.

4. The sultan agrees to make no change concerning the government of his people without proper consultation and the approval of the United States, as also the article defining the rights of bondmen to purchase their freedom.

5. The sultan accepts on behalf of himself and his subordinates the salary to be paid him and them by the United States government by an authorized agent of the United States, on the first day of each and every month, so long as the treaty shall remain in effect.

6. The sultan agrees not to sell, dispose of or lease any part of the archipelago over which he rules to any foreign power without the consent of the United States.

The signatures of General Otis, on behalf of the United States, and Hadgi Mohamad Womolol Kiran and six of his chief datos (or advisers) are attached. The signatures of his royal highness and subordinates suggest the most ancient form of Egyptian hieroglyphics, more resembling Chinese writing than any other known script.