Читать книгу The History of Sulu - Najeeb M. Saleeby - Страница 13

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;13 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—
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	₱548,562	₱463,544

EXPORTS

Commodity	Fiscal year—
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	₱277,768	₱285,066

Port of Zamboanga 14

IMPORTS

Agricultural imports	₱250	₱40
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

Commodity	Fiscal year—
1905	1906
Bejuco (rattan)	₱700	₱1,594
Fish	60	1,886
Coconuts	None.	2,258
Copra	125,734	157,398
Almaciga15	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 ₱204,431 in 1905 and ₱196,836 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 ₱152,344 in 1905 and ₱114,832 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 ₱36,118 in 1905 and ₱39,188 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 ₱189,472 in 1905 and ₱149,542 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 ₱35,740 in 1905 and ₱60,104 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 ₱15,786 in 1905 and ₱26,302 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 ₱11,140 in 1905 and ₱21,230 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	₱21	₱21,000
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	1½	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 ₱58,760 per month.