nila.

Exactly a month after my visit, the Sultan, accompanied by Major
Scott, the Governor and Commander of Jolo, came and made a short stay
in Manila, where he was conducted around town and to the presence of
the authorities. Many valuable presents were officially made to him,
together with P5,000 pocket-money to console him for the postponement
_sine die_ of the "settlement" question. Driving round in wagonettes,
his retinue saw the sights of the capital and made their purchases,
but the Sultan himself was strictly guarded from pressmen and others
who might give local publicity to his claims.

America's policy with regard to the Sultan of Sulu and all other
Sultans and _Dattos_, as expounded to me by the best American
authorities, is as clear as crystal. They wish all these petty
potentates were elsewhere; but as that cannot be, they must be shorn
of all power, princely dignity being out of harmony with American
institutions. Nevertheless, they can call themselves what they like
among their own people, provided that in their relations with the
Government of the Islands they are to be simple citizens with dominion
over their own personal property, but not over that of others. There
is to be no sovereign power, great or small, other than American,
and tribal wards are to supersede dattoships. The _Dattos_ are more
numerous than Continental barons, and of varying grades, from the
Panglima Hassan type, possessor of fortresses, commander of 5,000
men, down to the titular lord of four score acres who lounges in the
village, in filthy raiment, closely followed by two juveniles, the
one carrying his bright metal _buyo_ box, in case he needs a quid,
and the other the bearer of the _barong_, lest he must assert his
dignity by force. America has decreed that from these and all their
compeers the Philippines are to be preserved.

In November, 1903, the District Governor of Zamboanga summoned
the Manguiguin, or Sultan of Mindanao (_vide_ p. 131), and all the
_Dattos_ in his district to attend a durbar. The aged Sultan very
reluctantly responded to the call, and, accompanied by his Prime
Minister, Datto Ducalat, and a large retinue, the royal party came
in about 250 armed _vintas_. When they were within a few miles
of the port they sent a message to ask if they would be allowed to
salute with their _lantacas_, and the reply being in the affirmative,
they entered the harbour with great _eclat_, amidst the booming of a
hundred c