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 in-
dustry 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 =P=1 52,344 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
com. 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 ramotes to feed the whole population. The importa-
tion 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 =P3(),118 in 1905
and ^39,188 in 19()(), or 7 and 8 per cent, respectively. The country
does not produce silk, cotton, or wool.
All other imports may be regarded jus accessories. Of these opium
comes first, then dyes, breadstuff s, 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 190G may be
due to increased production, to the depression that followed the disturb-
ances 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, par-
ticularly the pearl shell, which amounted to "PI 89,472 in 1905 and
"PI 49,542 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 valu-
able 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, respec-
tively. The marked increase of this exj)ort 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 f«»r the increase in exportation.
Dried fish comes third in order, amounting to "PlSjYSG 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 Archi-
pelago, and their cultivation is capable of extensive development.
(^opal 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, tlie firm of Hernandez & (^o., 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 :
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.
