Section 1. The Governor-General is hereby authorized and empowered to reserve lands pertaining to the public domain within the Sulu Archipelago, Department of Mindanao and Sulu, not to exceed, in all, four thousand and ninety-six hectares, and grant the usufruct thereof to Hadji Mohamad Jamalul Kiram, Sultan of Sulu, and his direct heirs Datu Rajamuda Muhallil Wasit, Dayang-Dayang Hadji Piandau, and Putli Tarhata Atik.

Sec. 2. This grant is made subject to the condition that the lands so reserved shall be administered by the government of the Department of Mindanao and Sulu and the persons mentioned in section one of this Act shall merely receive the proceeds and revenues derived from said lands.

Sec. 3. The lands reserved as above stated shall not be subject to taxation; and the rights thereto shall not be alienated, transferred or encumbered to any other person, and the title thereto shall at all times be vested in the Government of the Philippine Islands.

Sec. 4. This Act shall take effect on the date of the Proclamation of the Governor-General announcing its approval by the President of the United States.

Approved: May 16, 1917