====================================================== | | 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.