The History of Sulu Part 2

Busbus is wholly occupied by Moros. Its houses are dilapidated nipa huts built on piles over the water. Back of the town is a marsh which extends a little way toward the base of the hills. The water from the marsh escapes into the bay by two rivulets, the first of which runs through the settlement and is known as Tubig Uhang; the other is artificial, forms the outer limit of the town, and is called Buyung Ca.n.a.l. Persons convicted of capital crimes in the days of the independent sultanate were tied to a tree at this place and there their bodies were chopped to pieces; hence the name "Busbus"

which means to "chop up" or "dress wood."

TRADE

Jolo lies about 4 miles from the point of intersection of lat.i.tude 6 north and longitude 121 east. It is about 540 nautical miles due south from Manila and 81 nautical miles distant from Zamboanga. The harbor is deep and free from currents. The bay is well protected on the north by the Islands of Pangasinan and Marongas and is safe from all storms except those from the northwest.

Sulu occupies the most nearly central position of any island in eastern Malaysia. It lies between Mindanao on the east and Borneo on the west, and separates the Sulu Sea from the Celebes Sea. The commercial advantages of this position are unique. To the north lie the Bisayas, Palawan, Luzon, Formosa, China, and j.a.pan; to the east Mindanao and Basilan; to the south, the Moluccas, Celebes, and Java; to the west, Borneo, Sumatra, and the Malay Peninsula. Besides, the Sulus are natural-born sailors, and their famous pearl industry has prompted them to trade since time immemorial. Their boats brought silk, amber, silver, scented woods, and porcelain from China and j.a.pan; gold dust, wax, dyes, saltpeter, slaves, and food stuffs from Luzon, the Bisayas, and Mindanao; gunpowder, cannon, bra.s.s, copper, iron, rubies, and diamonds from Malacca and Bruney; [14] pepper and spices from Java, the Moluccas, and Celebes. Chinese merchants traded with Sulu long before the arrival of Legaspi, and while Manila and Cebu were still small and insignificant settlements Jolo had reached the proportions of a city and was, without exception, the richest and foremost settlement in the Philippine Islands. Jolo, with the exception of Bruney, had no rival in northeast Malaysia prior to the seventeenth century.

Such commercial importance naturally attracted the attention of the early Spanish Governors-General and was one of the causes which led to the early invasion of Sulu. The long period of warfare which followed this invasion r.e.t.a.r.ded the progress of Jolo and reduced its trade. Again, the rise of Spanish commerce in the north tended to restrict the trade of Jolo. The growth of Manila, Cebu, and Iloilo naturally diverted the commerce of Luzon and the Bisayas and the north coast of Mindanao to those cities. The later commercial decline of Jolo was probably brought about more in this way than as a result of actual clash of arms. Jolo, however, remained an important port and a transshipping station to Mindanao until a late date.

At present trade has a.s.sumed new proportions and is following new routes. Zamboanga, Kotabato, and Davao are directly connected with Manila by regular steamship lines, and Jolo is fast losing its importance as a transshipping port. Zamboanga, on the other hand, is rising in importance and seems destined to become the port of Mindanao. It is the capital of the Moro Province and lies in the direct route connecting China, Manila, and Australia. It has direct communication with Manila, Hongkong, Singapore, and Australia, and is gradually diverting the trade of Mindanao from Jolo.

In spite of overwhelming odds, however, Jolo will maintain considerable commercial importance. It has well-established trade relations with Borneo, the Malay Peninsula, China, and Luzon, and is connected by regular steamship lines with Sandakan, Singapore, Manila, and Zamboanga. Practically the whole trade of the Sulu Archipelago pa.s.ses through this port, and it stands now, as ever before, as the center of business, power, and importance of the whole district of Sulu.

In the early days the trade of Sulu was carried on by Moros and Chinese. The Chinese appear to have entered the Archipelago prior to its mohammedanization, and the commercial relations of China and Sulu are really prehistoric. As hostilities between Spain and Sulu increased, Sulu traders became less daring and grew fewer and fewer. Chinese traders, on the other hand, were less molested and conditions encouraged their increase. The "Chinese pier" is a very old business establishment, and Chinese traders and merchants have resided in Jolo for many generations. Their number, in 1851, exceeded 500. At present Chinese merchants have complete control of the trade of the Sulu Archipelago. They are found everywhere and command all the avenues of commerce. The Sulus have abandoned commerce as a trade and apparently have no inclination to resume it on any large scale. This is due mainly to the decline of their power and the present abeyance of their national life. A new political revival will no doubt change their att.i.tude and may bring about a surprising development in arts and trades as well as of commerce.

The trade between Jolo and various islands and settlements of the Archipelago is carried on by means of innumerable small Moro boats and sloops termed sapits. Formerly such boats traded with Bruney, Sandakan, the Celebes, Java, and all the various islands of the Philippine Archipelago, but the stricter enforcement of the customs regulations, which followed the establishment of open ports at Sitanki, Bangao, and Kagayan Sulu, had the effect of checking trade with foreign countries in such small boats and tended to concentrate the whole trade of the Archipelago at Jolo. A review of the imports and exports of the port of Jolo will therefore throw considerable light on the material resources of the Archipelago, its industries, and the enterprise of the natives.

Port of Jolo

IMPORTS

==================================================================== | | Fiscal year-- | | Commodity |-----------------------| | | 1905 | 1906 | |------------------------------------------|-----------+-----------| | Animals, etc | $214 | $71 | | Bra.s.s, manufactures of | 6,402 | 2,548 | | Breadstuffs | 4,881 | 3,870 | | Cement | 745 | 989 | | Coal | 4,208 | | | Coffee | 621 | 872 | | Cotton cloths, close woven | 82,999 | 80,381 | | Cotton cloths, loose woven | 14,053 | 14,338 | | Carpets | 5,379 | | | Yarn and thread | 18,059 | 19,594 | | Knit fabrics | 2,688 | 3,564 | | Cotton cloths, all other manufactures of | 949 | 2,079 | | Dyes | 2,691 | 3,807 | | Opium | 14,578 | 6,601 | | Earthen and stone ware | 1,494 | 2,419 | | Fibers, vegetable | 308 | 153 | | Dried fish | 216 | 456 | | Sh.e.l.l fish | 375 | 497 | | Fruits, canned | 272 | 254 | | Fruits, not canned | 362 | 407 | | Gla.s.s and gla.s.sware | 694 | 415 | | Iron, steel, and manufactures of | 3,640 | 2,916 | | Malt liquors | 2,020 | 822 | | Matches | 956 | 372 | | Mineral oils | 742 | 1,339 | | Vegetable oils | 536 | 503 | | Paints | 979 | 299 | | Paper and manufactures of | 2,123 | 1,816 | | Condensed milk | 1,516 | 1,363 | | Rice | 76,172 | 57,416 | | Silk and manufactures of | 1,614 | 1,318 | | Soap | 724 | 610 | | Spirits, distilled | 1,643 | 1,108 | | Sugar, refined | 4,314 | 2,987 | | Tea | 646 | 489 | | Tobacco and manufactures of | 586 | 367 | | Vegetables | 1,204 | 1,919 | | Wearing apparel | | 3,699 | | Wood and manufactures of | 2,270 | 1,646 | | Wool and manufactures of | 2,282 | 206 | | All others | 8,126 | 7,262 | | |-----------+-----------| | Total in U. S. currency | $274,281 | $231,772 | | Total in Philippine currency | P548,562 | P463,544 | ====================================================================

EXPORTS

========================================================== | | Fiscal year-- | | Commodity |-----------------------| | | 1905 | 1906 | |--------------------------------+-----------+-----------| | Animals | $42 | $70 | | Hemp | 486 | 5,561 | | Cordage | 5,084 | 5,054 | | Fish | 7,893 | 13,151 | | Copra | 17,870 | 30,052 | | Copal | 3,793 | 4,458 | | Gutta-percha | 108 | 3,939 | | Hides | 839 | 867 | | Mother-of-pearl (sh.e.l.ls) | 88,516 | 60,051 | | Tortoise sh.e.l.l | 1,971 | 2,856 | | Sh.e.l.ls, all others | 4,249 | 11,864 | | All others | 8,033 | 4,610 | | |-----------+-----------| | Total in U. S. currency | $138,884 | $142,533 | | Total in Philippine currency | P277,768 | P285,066 | ==========================================================

Port of Zamboanga [15]

IMPORTS

============================================================ | Agricultural imports | P250 | P40 | | Wheat flour | 6,048 | 18,378 | | Cement | 3,088 | 12,966 | | Coffee | 5,656 | 10,646 | | Copper, manufactures of | 838 | 686 | | Cotton cloths, close woven | 92,254 | 97,866 | | Cotton cloths, loose woven | 9,628 | 33,714 | | Cotton wearing apparel | 2,136 | 5,152 | | Cotton yarn and thread | 25,032 | 34,862 | | Cotton, knit fabrics | 6,278 | 4,380 | | Cotton, all other manufactures | 1,840 | 5,118 | | Opium | 8,928 | 26,254 | | Earthen and stone ware | 1,406 | 5,016 | | China ware | 262 | 388 | | Hats and caps | 1,164 | 598 | | Iron, sheet | 6,470 | 12,786 | | Cutlery, table | 76 | 142 | | Cutlery, all other | 120 | 96 | | Nails, wire | 500 | 530 | | Boots and shoes | 762 | 2,884 | | Beer in wood | None. | 198 | | Beer in bottles | 8,410 | 42,618 | | Other malt liquors | 1,902 | 548 | | Matches | 60 | 988 | | Tin, manufactures of | 188 | 40 | | Oil, petroleum | 4,850 | 8,600 | | Milk, condensed | 3,200 | 5,972 | | Rice, husked | 119,572 | 161,642 | | Brandy | 814 | 3,212 | | Whiskey, bourbon | 822 | 1,240 | | Whiskey, rye | 1,030 | 376 | | Whiskey, all other | 6,668 | 19,566 | | Sugar, refined | 3,566 | 5,488 | | Tea | 1,346 | 2,484 | | Zinc, manufactures of | 880 | 834 | | All other imports | 49,712 | 86,807 | | |------------+------------| | Total in Philippine currency | 375,756 | 613,115 | ============================================================

EXPORTS

====================================================== | | Fiscal year-- | | Commodity |---------------------| | | 1905 | 1906 | |------------------------------+----------+----------| | Bejuco (rattan) | P700 | P1,594 | | Fish | 60 | 1,886 | | Coconuts | None. | 2,258 | | Copra | 125,734 | 157,398 | | Almaciga [16] | 632 | 288 | | Copal | 19,906 | 31,582 | | Gutta-percha | 2,282 | 28,370 | | Rubber | None. | None. | | All other gums and resins | 910 | None. | | Hides, carabao | 362 | 316 | | Beeswax | None. | 3,024 | | Sh.e.l.ls, mother-of-pearl | 2,440 | 2,420 | | Sh.e.l.ls, tortoise | 8,708 | 7,638 | | Sh.e.l.ls, all other | 2,224 | 10,320 | | Salt | None. | 1,508 | | Wood, all kinds | 1,346 | 1,076 | | All other exports | 9,590 | 9,860 | | |----------|----------| | Total in Philippine currency | 174,894 | 259,538 | ======================================================

The above statements of the imports and exports of the port of Jolo for the fiscal years 1905 and 1906 have been obtained through the kindness and help of Mr. E. B. Cook, collector of customs for Jolo. They represent the total value of the imports and exports of the town to and from foreign ports only. They do not, however, give an idea of the grand total of the imports and exports of the Archipelago. Account must also be taken of the large amount of commodities smuggled into the country by means of small boats which continually run between the Tawi-tawi Group and Kagayan Sulu on the one side and Borneo and Palawan on the other. Moreover, it is difficult to tell what part of the trade of Basilan and the Samal group of islands is retained by Jolo and what part has lately been drawn away by Zamboanga. Besides, some trade between Sulu and Basilan, on one side, and Mindanao, Negros, and Cebu on the other, is carried on by sailing craft; no account of this is taken either at Jolo or Zamboanga. Since July 1, 1905, all boats under 15 tons register have not been required to present at the custom-house manifests of goods carried. It is clear, therefore, that no correct estimate or opinion can be rendered on the strength of these figures, unless one is aided by personal observation and knowledge of actual conditions previous to July 1, 1903.

Estimating the population affected by the trade of Jolo, at 100,000, we note that the importation of cloths and woven materials amounted to P204,431 in 1905 and P196,836 in 1906, or 37 per cent and 42 per cent of total imports, respectively. There is no doubt that the weaving industry among Sulus and Samals is far from being adequate to furnish clothing material, and European cotton cloths are therefore extensively used throughout the Archipelago.

The importation of rice amounted to P152,344 in 1905 and P114,832 in 1906, or 27 and 24 per cent of the total imports, respectively. The Sulus are agriculturists and should be able to raise sufficient rice for themselves and the Samals. The islands most fitted for this purpose are Sulu, Basilan, Tapul, Siasi, Pata, and Pandami. The Samals are not agriculturists as a rule and seldom raise anything except tapioca and corn. They generally live on flat, low islands, unfit for the cultivation of rice. The Archipelago as a whole should produce sufficient rice, tapioca, corn, and camotes to feed the whole population. The importation of rice in 1905 was probably in excess of the average amount; less rice was raised that year because of war and general disturbances.

The commodities of next importance are yarn and thread for weaving purposes. Importation of these articles amounted to P36,118 in 1905 and P39,188 in 1906, or 7 and 8 per cent, respectively. The country does not produce silk, cotton, or wool.

All other imports may be regarded as accessories. Of these opium comes first, then dyes, breadstuffs, sugar, iron, steel, bra.s.s, paper, and earthenware. A considerable amount of tobacco is imported by the government free of duty, and quant.i.ties of tobacco, opium, and cloths formerly were smuggled in. The reduction of imports in 1906 may be due to increased production, to the depression that followed the disturbances of 1904 and 1905, and to a diversion of certain parts of the trade to Zamboanga.

The exports, on the other hand, show a light increase in 1906. They distinctly represent those resources of the country which are most capable of development. At the head of the list stands the sh.e.l.l industry, particularly the pearl sh.e.l.l, which amounted to P189,472 in 1905 and P149,542 in 1906, or 64 and 52 per cent of total exports, respectively. The exportation of sh.e.l.l has lately been greatly affected by the falling of the price of pearl sh.e.l.l in the market of Singapore. The exportation of other sh.e.l.ls seems, on the contrary, to have increased. Pearl fishing is the princ.i.p.al industry of the country and forms the main source of its riches. The fishing is done exclusively by natives, but the trade seems to be wholly in the hands of Chinese. The figures given above do not include pearls. It is very difficult to obtain any statistics for this valuable product, but on the whole it is reckoned by merchants as equivalent to the whole output of sh.e.l.l.

Second in importance comes copra, which amounted to P35,740 in 1905 and P60,104 in 1906, or 12 and 21 per cent of total exports, respectively. The marked increase of this export in 1906 may be explained partly by increased production and partly by the general damage done to the trees in 1905 by locusts. Increase in the cultivation of coconut trees is not perceptible and can not account for the increase in exportation.

Dried fish comes third in order, amounting to P15,786 in 1905 and P26,302 in 1906. This industry is capable of unlimited development. The fertility of the Sulu Sea is unusual and can hardly be surpa.s.sed. Nothing but enterprise and organized effort is needed to render this trade a source of enormous wealth to the country. The natives are exceedingly skillful in fishing, but lack ambition and initiative. The trade in fish is mostly in the hands of Chinese merchants.

Fourth in importance comes hemp. Both in fiber and cordage its exports amounted to P11,140 in 1905 and P21,230 in 1906. Hemp culture has markedly improved during the last year, and the increased production is sufficient to explain the increase in exportation. Coconut trees and hemp grow splendidly on all the larger islands of the Archipelago, and their cultivation is capable of extensive development.

Copal and gutta-percha are the products of Sulu, Basilan, and the Tawi-tawi Islands. Although sufficiently important in themselves, they sink into insignificance when compared with the four primary staple products and the immense possibilities that lie in the line of their development.

The greater part of the trade of Jolo is handled by the Jolo Trading Company, the firm of Hernandez & Co., and the commercial houses of Chaun Lee and Ban Guan, all of which are controlled and managed by Chinese merchants. The following list compiled in the office of the Jolo Trading Company, for the Far Eastern Review, is a fair estimate of the prospective exports of the town for the coming two years:

=================================================================== | Article | Amount | Price | Total | |---------------------------------+-----------+-------+-----------| | | Piculs. | | | | Hemp | 1,000 | P21 | P21,000 | | Pearl sh.e.l.ls | 150 | 45 | 6,750 | | Trepang or beche-de-mar | 50 | 30 | 1,500 | | Shark fins | 20 | 45 | 900 | | Hemp rope | 30 | 25 | 750 | | Caracoles (sea sh.e.l.ls | | | | | for b.u.t.tons, etc.) | 40 | 12 | 480 | | Black sh.e.l.ls | 10 | 8 | 80 | | Copra | 500 | 7 | 3,500 | | Seaweeds | 40 | 4 | 160 | | Hides | 10 | 20 | 200 | | Cacao | 10 | 50 | 500 | | Tortoise sh.e.l.ls | 1-1/2 | 1,800 | 2,700 | | Sea horses | | | 240 | |---------------------------------+-----------+-------+-----------| | Grand total | | | 38,760 | |=================================================================|

Hemp is generally exported to Manila, while the other articles mentioned in the above table are generally exported to Singapore.

Trepang, shark fins, seaweed, and sea horses are foods highly prized by the Chinese.

If the value of pearls taken is estimated on the basis suggested by the president of the Jolo Trading Company, it will bring the total up to P58,760 per month.

POPULATION

The present population of Jolo is less than 2,000. This includes all the natives and foreigners living in Tulay and Busbus; but the United States troops are excepted. The bulk of the inhabitants is made up of Filipinos, Chinese, and Moros. The census report of 1903 gives the following statistics, which include Tulay and San Remondo, but not Busbus:

==================================== | Color | Males | Females | |================+=======+=========| | Brown | 309 | 306 | | |=================| | Ilokano | 10 | 4 | | Moro | 9 | 98 | | Tagalog | 103 | 66 | | Bisayan | 161 | 132 | | Foreign born | 26 | 6 | | Mixed | 74 | 48 | | Yellow | 429 | 56 | | White | 31 | 17 | | |=======+=========| | Total | 843 | 427 | ====================================

Walled town 541 Tulay 615 San Remondo 114 ----- Total 1,270

Males of voting age

Brown: Filipino 189 Ilokano 9 Moro 4 Tagalog 75 Bisayan 101 English 14 French 1 All others 5 Mixed: Filipino 1 Chinese 8 English 2 Yellow: Chinese 392 j.a.panese 1 English 3 White: American 22 Spanish 2 All others 1 --- Total 641

As the great majority of the "mixed" population have Chinese fathers, they, as a rule, follow Chinese custom and trade and may be regarded as Chinese. The Chinese element may therefore be cla.s.sified as follows: