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 Canal. 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 latitude 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 Japan; 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 Japan; gold dust, wax, dyes, saltpeter, slaves, and food stuffs from Luzon, the Bisayas, and Mindanao; gunpowder, cannon, brass, 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 retarded 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 assumed 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 passes 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 attitude 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 Brass, 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 Shell fish 375 497 Fruits, canned 272 254 Fruits, not canned 362 407 Glass and glassware 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 (shells) 88,516 60,051 Tortoise shell 1,971 2,856 Shells, 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 Shells, mother-of-pearl 2,440 2,420 Shells, tortoise 8,708 7,638 Shells, 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, brass, paper, and earthenware. A considerable amount of tobacco is imported by the government free of duty, and quantities 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 shell industry, particularly the pearl shell, 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 shell has lately been greatly affected by the falling of the price of pearl shell in the market of Singapore. The exportation of other shells seems, on the contrary, to have increased. Pearl fishing is the principal 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 shell.

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 surpassed. 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 shells 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 shells for buttons, etc.) 40 12 480 Black shells 10 8 80 Copra 500 7 3,500 Seaweeds 40 4 160 Hides 10 20 200 Cacao 10 50 500 Tortoise shells 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 Japanese 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 classified as follows: