British and Foreign State Papers

II. The United States' flag will be used in the Archipelago of Jolo and its dependencies, on land and sea.

III. The rights and dignities of His Highness the Sultan and his Datos shall be fully respected; the Moros shall not be interfered with on account of their religion; all their religious customs shall be respected, and no one shall be persecuted on account of his religion.

IV. While the United States may occupy and control such points in the Archipelago of Jolo as public interests seem to demand, encroachment will not be made upon the lands immediately about the residence of His Highness the Sultan unless military necessity requires such occupation in case of war with a foreign Power; and where the property of individuals is taken, due compensation will be made in each case.

Any person can purchase land in the Archipelago of Jolo, and hold the same, by obtaining the consent of the Sultan and coming to a satisfactory agreement with the owner of the land; and such purchase shall immediately be registered in the proper office of the United States' Government.

V. All trade in domestic products of the Archipelago of Jolo, when carried on by the Sultan and his people with any part of the Philippine Islands, and when conducted under the American flag, shall be free, unlimited, and undutiable.

VI. The Sultan of Jolo shall be allowed to communicate direct with the Governor-General of the Philippine Islands in making

territory hereby ceded to the United States shall be determined by Congress,' and with the understanding and reservation, which should be distinctly communicated to the Sultan of Jolo, that this Agreement is not to be deemed in any way to authorize or give the consent of the United States to the existence of slavery in the Sulu Archipelago-a thing which is made impossible by the thirteenth amendment to the Constitution of the United States. At the same time when you communicate to the Sultan the above-mentioned understanding, the President desires that you should make inquiry as to the number of persons held in slavery in the archipelago, and what arrangement it may be practicable to make for their emancipation. It is assumed that the market price referred to in the Agreement of the 20th August, 1899, is not very high at present, and it may be that a comparatively moderate sum, which Congress might be willing to appropriate for that purpose, would suffice to secure freedom for the whole

number.

"It is needless to suggest that the inquiry should be prosecuted in such a way as not to create the impression that we now have authority to make such an arrangement, and in such a manner as not to create extravagant expectations. "Very truly, yours,

Major-General E. S. Otis,

"ELIHU ROOT, Secretary of War." "Commanding United States' Forces in the Philippines,

Manila, Philippine Islands."

complaint against the Commanding Officer of Jolo or against any Naval Commander.

VII. The introduction of fire-arms and war material is forbidden, except under specific authority of the Governor-General of the Philippine Islands.

VIII. Piracy must be suppressed, and the Sultan and his Datos agree to heartily co-operate with the United States' authorities to that end, and to make every possible effort to arrest and bring to justice all persons engaged in piracy.

IX. Where crimes and offences are committed by Moros against Moros, the Government of the Sultan will bring to trial and punishment the criminals and offenders, who will be delivered to the Government of the Sultan by the United States' authorities if in their possession. In all other cases persons charged with crimes or offences will be delivered to the United States' authorities for trial and punishment.

X. Any slave in the Archipelago of Jolo shall have the right to purchase freedom by paying to the master the usual market value.

XI. In cases of any trouble with subjects of the Sultan, the American authorities in the islands will be instructed to make careful investigation before resorting to harsh measures, as in most cases serious trouble can thus be avoided.

XII. At present, Americans or foreigners wishing to go into the country should state their wishes to the Moro authorities, and ask for an escort; but it is hoped that this will become unnecessary as we know each other better.

XIII. The United States will give full protection to the Sultan and his subjects in case any foreign nation should attempt to impose upon them.

XIV. The United States will not sell the Island of Jolo, or any other island of the Jolo Archipelago, to any foreign nation without the consent of the Sultan of Jolo.

XV. The United States' Government will pay the following monthly salaries :—