Most excellent and most illustrious Sir: The politico-military governor

of Sulu, in a communication dated the 9th instant, states as follows:

Most excellent Sir: As the time expiration of the exemptions

granted to Sulu and its port by decree of the general government

under the able direction of your Excellency, dated February 24th,

1877, and extended by superior order issued from the same office

for another term of ten years, on August 23rd, 1887, is drawing

near, the person who has the honor to sign hereunder believes

that the moment has come to call the attention of your Excellency

to the matter, and he takes the liberty to set down some remarks

in the premises, to the end that when your Excellency determines

what is deemed most expedient, they may be taken under advisement.

In the exemptions granted to Sulu, it must be borne in mind that

they affect two distinct elements, which constitute the life

and favor the development of this locality. Some have reference

to the exemption from all taxes, tributes, and gabels imposed,

or to be imposed, in favor of natives or foreigners taking up

their abode in the Sulu archipelago. Others refer exclusively

to the declaration of a free port, with exemption from all taxes

and customs formalities in favor of the capital of the island.

In treating this question and in considering what ought to be done

in the future, when the moment arrives for determining whether

a fresh extension is expedient, or whether, on the contrary,

this territory must enter upon the normal administrative life

general in other localities of the Philippine Archipelago,

the subject must be dealt with under the two aspects above

set forth. In regard to the declaration of freedom of the port

granted to Jolo, it is undoubtedly expedient to continue it for

the present without change. So long as the protocol entered into

with the other nations who are parties thereto, continues in

force--in which protocol our incontestable right of sovereignty

over this archipelago, with the limitations therein stipulated,

is declared--it would be highly impolitic to close the period

of franchise granted to this port. Should there be established

the embarrassing obstacles and difficulties to commerce entailed

by the formalities of customs regulations, the English steamers

which now carry on the trade with Singapore, would immediately

cease to visit this port and would make their destination some

other port of the island, where, under the provisions of the

protocol above referred to, no one could lawfully obstruct them

until after the effective occupation of the new port selected for

trading operations, and until after having allowed to elapse the

requisite time subsequent to publishing this resolution in the

official papers of the Peninsula. The distinguished intelligence

of your Excellency will perceive easily that after this had been

repeated several times, we should find ourselves compelled either

to occupy effectively all the islands of the Sulu archipelago where

English steamers might attempt to establish their business, or,

in the end, to allow them to carry on their commercial operations

at any place that suited them, which, without doubt, would be much

more prejudicial than what happens at the present time; for, at

any rate, so long as steamers come exclusively to this port or to

that of Siasi, as is the case at present, the trade can be watched

easily and conveniently and without the commercial operations which

are carried on giving rise to diplomatic questions; it is easy,

also to prevent the traffic of arms and war supplies, which would

not be the case if they touched at other points where our sphere of

action is not so direct and effective. Furthermore, the advantages

of the present situation must also be taken into account. So long

as these steamers touch only at Jolo and Siasi, as happens now,

these two points are the only markets, whither all the people of

the archipelago must necessarily go to trade, not only to supply

themselves with the effects which they import and are necessary

to life, but also to sell all the products they gather in their

fields and in the seas, which constitute the element of commerce

that justifies English vessels in visiting these regions, making it

possible to collect sufficient freight to maintain the two regular

lines now established. It is obvious that, since we are masters

of the towns of Jolo and Siasi--the only points of distribution

for effects necessary to the life of the natives here--we can,

when we consider it expedient, prevent the sale of these effects

to the villages hostile to the city, a most momentous advantage

resulting therefrom and a means of government of inestimable

value. So long as the Moros have to supply themselves from these

markets, our importance is incontestable; all their outbreaks

are easily checked without appeal to violent methods; and the

civilizing effect which results from the constant intercourse

which is necessitated by their coming to the occupied ports, is

extended, thereby modifying the sanguinary and turbulent habits of

this race. If the revenues from the duties which would be imposed

were of sufficient importance to cover the expenses entailed by

the occupation of Sulu, the arguments supporting the opinion

above expressed could easily be set aside. But unfortunately

there can not be expected from the custom house of Jolo, in the

event of its establishment, even the expenses necessary to cover

the salaries of the personnel engaged therein. For, the foreign

steamers which now visit this port would immediately discontinue

their voyages, and even though it were possible to prevent them

from making port at some other place for the purpose of carrying

on their mercantile operations--a thing which would not be easy so

long as the treaty is in force--what would happen? Why, that the

trade would be continued by means of smaller boats which would

come from Borneo, and it would not be feasible to prevent this

except by the posting of a very large number of coastguards along

the shores of the innumerable islands of Sulu, a method which

it would be altogether impossible to adopt. It is, therefore,

unquestionably expedient to maintain the present status, whether

the matter be considered under its economic aspect or under that

of the policy it is necessary to develop in this territory. A

very different course must, in the opinion of the undersigned,

be followed in the matter of the exemption from taxation granted

to the inhabitants of Sulu. These exists here a numerous Chinese

colony, which is the element that really enjoys the benefit of

the advantages flowing from the present free-port conditions,

and it is neither just nor equitable that, while the Chinese find

in us the support and protection which enable them to carry on

and develop the trade in which they alone engage, they should not

contribute in any way towards the expenses of the Government which

furnishes them so many advantages. It is, therefore, expedient

to impose upon all Chinaman residing in the Sulu territory the

obligation to pay the same taxes as are paid by those of the same

race in other parts of the Philippines. The establishment of this

system promises not only the profit of the sums which would be

collected as a consequence thereof, but also the desideratum of

introducing order into the anarchical manner of life obtaining

among the Chinese here. As soon as the obligation to pay taxes

is imposed upon all and the lists of tax-payers are made up,

individual interest will see to it that all persons living in

the country are included therein; for it is unquestionable that,

since each desires to be placed under the same conditions as the

other, the Chinamen themselves will be of very great assistance

in discovering those who now are not included in the incomplete

and untrustworthy census lists existing in the offices of the

Government of Sulu. It is believed, then, that it is expedient

and just to discontinue the franchise now enjoyed by the Chinese

here, and that they should begin to contribute at once towards

defraying the expenses of the treasury, paying at least as much as

is paid by their countrymen in other parts of the Philippines. It

would appear also equitable that the Indians residing here should

also begin to pay the cédulas [295] of the class to which they

respectively belong; but there must be borne in mind the limited

number of individuals of this race residing here; the expediency

of encouraging by this means the immigration of fresh residents;

and, above all, the services they render in any case of alarm,

whether caused by juramentados or by more serious aggressions

attempted against the city; all of which circumstances make it

proper that they should continue enjoying the exemption from

the payment of poll-tax which they now enjoy, as also exemption

from all the other taxes upon the insignificant industries from

which they gain a subsistence. The treasury could not hope for

any happy results in this direction; and, on the other hand, if

such a tax were imposed, the place would, in a very short time,

be left entirely without any civilian population; for only with

difficulty, and thanks to the franchises, can persons be found

who will face the constant danger in which residents in Jolo are

placed--especially those who engage in the cultivation of the

soil in the outskirts of the town; of which class the civilian

population is, in a very large majority, composed.

It remains, only, most excellent Sir, to discuss the expediency,

or otherwise, of establishing taxation upon commerce, industry,

and property. All the urban property of Jolo is in the hands of

the Chinese, with so few exceptions that there are not more than

three property holders who do not belong to that race. In their

hands is all the commerce, with the sole exception of two Spanish

houses: every thing relating to business is in their power; so

that any burden imposed in this direction would not be borne by

them, but would be paid by the garrison of Jolo. For, united as

the Chinamen are in every thing that relates to the avoidance of

tax-paying, they would come to a perfect understanding to surtax

every thing,--not in the same proportion as the contributions

they would pay, but with a considerable increase, with the

result that the only tax-payer to the treasury and for the

Chinaman would be the unfortunate inhabitant of Jolo. And since

the population here consists almost entirely of the garrison,

which renders such arduous services at this place, I believe

that it would not be just to add to the other disadvantages that

the service here offers, the very serious one that would result

from the imposition of taxes in this capital. Furthermore, one

must not lose sight of what might happen or rather what would

immediately happen, when, by taxing the commerce of the city,

the majority of the Chinamen now established here would go to

Maymbung, with a tendency to store their merchandise at other

important points in the island, in which places our rule is, it

may be said, nominal, and it is unnecessary to insist upon the

undesirable consequences that would follow; for we should return

to the condition in which Maymbung stood in April of the year

1887, when this town was a very important center of resistence

to our rule, due to the facility afforded in that place for the

purchase of unlimited arms and ammunition, a business carried

on by the foreign steamers who anchored there at that time. And

all this without taking into account the undesirability, from a

political point of view, of affording the Moros the opportunity

of purchasing their supplies at prices lower than those in this

city; since, if the merchants in that town did not pay taxes

they would be able to sell at lower prices than those in the

capital. Summing up what I have stated above and recapitulating

the questions herein treated, I will conclude by submitting to

the distinguished intelligence of your Excellency that I consider

necessary and of the highest political expediency the maintenance

of the freedom of the port granted to Jolo; that this franchise

should be extended to Siasi, which enjoys this privilege in fact

though not by right; and that care should be taken to prevent the

slightest obstacle from interfering with the trade at both points,

to the end that foreign steamers may, in their own interest,

touch only at these two points of the archipelago of Sulu; that

the Chinamen should be formed into guilds or associations, after

the pattern of the organizations prevailing in other parts of the

Philippines, these being necessary, further, to the making up of

the lists of tax-payers; that, as a consequence of the formation

of these associations, they should be compelled to pay taxes to

the same extent as all other Chinamen residing in the country,

unless your Excellency is of the opinion that the quota should

be increased in consideration of the other advantages they enjoy;

that there should be imposed a tax upon smokers of opium and upon

the importation thereof. This tax would be a source of revenue of

some consideration if it were farmed, as was the intention four

years ago, when sale to the highest bidder was desisted from in

view of the decree of franchises which is the subject of this

communication. Finally, that property, commerce, and industries

should not be taxed, nor should the civilian population be burdened

with the poll-tax, since the latter deserve consideration by

reason of the arduous services they render in this place; and

this applies to the garrison, as well as to the civilians who

make up the town, who, in the end, would be the persons who

alone would have to bear these burdens. Such, most excellent

Sir, is the opinion, expressed as succinctly as possible, of the

undersigned in regard to these matters, which, at no distant date,

will present themselves for resolution and which your Excellency

will determine with your well-known ability and good judgment.

Which I have the pleasure to transmit to your most Illustrious

Excellency, to the end that you may take note of the part relating

to the economic side of this question.

God preserve your most illustrious Excellency for many years.

Manila, July 31st, 1896.

Blanco.

To the most excellent and most illustrious the Intendant-General

of the Treasury.

Office of the Intendant-General of the Treasury Division of Direct

Imposts

Most excellent and most illustrious Sir: The just considerations set

forth by the politico-military governor of Sulu in a communication

addressed to his high Excellency the Governor-General of these islands

on July 9th of last year, forwarded to your most illustrious Lordship

on the 31st of the same month and year, reveal a close study of the

questions treated, based upon practice and experience.

The chief of the division of direct imposts, who signs hereunder,

in presenting the report ordered by your most illustrious Lordship

in your decree of the first day of the following August, must begin

by expressing at once his conformity with the views given by the

governor of Sulu, in the part relating to this division.

Undoubtedly considerations of the highest political moment led the

high authorities of the Archipelago, on August 23rd of 1887, to extend

for another term of ten years the franchises granted to Sulu, and

since these considerations have not ceased to be of moment, to judge

from the enlightened views expressed by the said politico-military

governor, it is to be presumed that it is expedient to grant a fresh

concession of franchises; but not, at this time, for a period of time

equal to that about to expire, though for a period that might well be

half that of the previous term; for, regarding the matter prudently,

it might happen that during this lapse of time the conditions in

the places under discussion should alter in such a way as to counsel

either the total suppression of the liberties in question or their

partial modification.

But if there are considerations in favor of this new concession,

equity counsels that there be excluded therefrom the Chinese in so far

as relates to the imposition of the poll-tax, since they control all

the business and are the only persons who really exploit that region.

Consequently, the chief of the division of direct imposts has the

honor to report to your most illustrious Lordship:

1. That it be recommended to his high Excellency the Governor-General

of these Islands, that, to take the place of the present franchises,

there be granted again, at the proper time, to the ports of Jolo and

Siasi, the exemption from the payment of all urban and industrial taxes

in favor of the natives and of the Chinese established at those points.

2. That there be created at once the imposition of the poll-tax upon

the Chinese.

3. That the natives and the civilian population be exempt from the

payment of poll-tax.

Your most illustrious Lordship will, however, determine whatever he

deems most expedient.

Manila, August 6th, 1897.

Marcelino Pacheco.

Office of the Intendant-General of the Treasury Division of Indirect

Imposts

Most excellent and most illustrious Sir: In compliance with the

decree which, under date of August 10 of the current year, your

most illustrious Excellency saw fit to issue, to the effect that, in

the shortest possible space of time the divisions of imposts should

report upon the matters concerning each one in the proceedings set

on foot by the politico-military governor of Sulu in regard to the

expediency or the inexpediency of the renewal of the exemption from

taxation enjoyed by the natives in that place, I have to state to

your illustrious Excellency that:

1. The undersigned chief, fully agreeing with the enlightened views set

forth by the governor of Sulu, believes that the maintenance of the

declaration of freedom of the port granted to Jolo is of the highest

political moment and that the franchise should be extended to Siasi.

2. That in regard to indirect imposts which are of such a nature that,

while they are a source of profit to the state, they bring also no

small benefit to the tax-payer, these should be made applicable to

the Sulu archipelago, as undoubtedly has been the case, as a matter

of fact, up to the present time in regard to the stamp and lottery

revenues.

3. Both for the reasons set forth by the governor of Sulu as well

as for these given by his predecessor on June 11, 1893, in favor of

a tax upon opium smokers, the undersigned chief believes that it is

not only just but a matter of the greatest necessity to continue the

imposition of this tax.

Your most illustrious Excellency will, however, order whatever he

deems most expedient.

Manila, September 10th, 1897.

José Garcés de Marcilla.

Office of the Intendant-General of the Treasury,

Manila, December 28, 1897.

Let the report of the Chamber of Commerce and of the administration

of customs of Manila be heard, within one and the same period of

five days.

Dominguez.

APPENDIX XIX

THE PROTOCOL OF SULU, OF 1877, BETWEEN SPAIN, GERMANY, AND GREAT

BRITAIN, MAY 30, 1877 [296]

General Government of the Philippines

Royal Order

Colonial office.--No. 281.--Excellent Sir: The Secretary of State sent

the following communication to this office on the 26th of March last:

By Royal order communicated by the Secretary of State and for such

action as is indicated therein I deliver herewith to your Excellency a

copy of the protocol signed on the 11th inst. by Señor Manuel Silvela,

Secretary of State, and by the representatives of Great Britain and

Germany, for the purpose of establishing the liberty of trade and

commerce in the Sulu seas; said protocol takes effect on this date,

as specified in Article 5 of the same.--Referred to your Excellency

by Royal order with a copy of the protocol, for its execution.--God

keep your Excellency many years.

Madrid, April 2, 1877.

Martin de Herrera. The Governor-General of the Philippine Islands.

Manila, May 30, 1877. The above order shall be executed, communicated

and published. Moriones.

[Protocol referred to.]

The Hon. Austin Henry Layard, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister

Plenipotentiary of her Britannic Majesty; and Count Von Hatzfeldt,

Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of his Majesty the

Emperor of Germany, commissioned by their respective Governments to

terminate the difficulties which have occurred in the Sulu seas and to

establish for that purpose, in a final way, the liberty of commerce

in those seas, acknowledged by the Secretary of State of Spain in

the Notes which he sent on April 15, 1876, to the representatives of

Great Britain and Germany;

After having examined with due attention the preliminaries of the

question and especially the negotiations formerly carried on between

the Governments of Great Britain and Germany and that of Spain,

have agreed to draw up the following Protocol:

The Secretary of State of Spain, in the name of his Government, says:

Considering the preliminary fact that the German ships "Marie Louise"

and "Gazelle" were returned and an indemnity paid for their cargoes

in 1873 and 1874, and that the German ship "Minna" was returned twice

in 1875 and 1874;

Duly appreciating the increasing requirements of navigation and

commerce, and above all the legal status constituted by the Notes of

the Spanish Secretary of State dated the 15th of April last and by

the official publication of said Notes by the Governments of Great

Britain and Germany, as also by the instructions given accordingly

by said Governments to their consuls, agents and commanders of their

naval forces;

Therefore the Government of his Majesty the King of Spain recognizes

that the merchant ships going to the Sulu archipelago can no longer

be required to call first at Zamboanga, to pay the harbor dues there

and to provide themselves with a navigation permit delivered at said

port. It furthermore believes that it must acknowledge, as provided

in the Notes of the 15th of April last, the complete liberty of

direct trade and commerce for ships and subjects of Great Britain,

the German Empire and the other powers, with the Sulu archipelago.

Considering that the Governments of Great Britain and of Germany have

maintained all their claims in regard to the liberty of navigation,

commerce and direct trade with the Sulu archipelago and within the

archipelago; that the Government of his Majesty the King of Spain

admits that it cannot guarantee the security of commerce at unoccupied

places of the archipelago in return for duties and dues paid, but will

guarantee perfect security to the ships and subjects of Great Britain,

Germany and the other powers at places occupied by said Government,

and provide the establishments necessary for the protection of their

trade, the Spanish Secretary of State remarks that there is no reason

why said ships and subjects should be exempted, at places occupied by

Spain, from the formalities, general regulations, and ordinary duties,

whose nature will be explained in the present Protocol.

The undersigned representatives of Great Britain and of Germany refer,

on their part, to the Notes and official communications sent by them

on this matter to the Spanish Government, and requesting the latter to

acknowledge the absolute liberty of commerce and trade in all parts

of the Sulu archipelago, said acknowledgment having been mentioned

by the Spanish Government in the Notes of April 15, 1876.

In consequence of what precedes and as the result of their conferences,

the undersigned have agreed on the following declarations:

I

Commerce and direct trading by ships and subjects of Great Britain,

Germany and the other powers are declared to be and shall be absolutely

free with the Sulu archipelago and in all parts thereof, as well as the

right of fishery, without prejudice to the rights recognized to Spain

by the present Protocol, in conformity with the following declarations:

II

The Spanish authorities shall no longer require ships and subjects

of Great Britain, Germany and the other powers, going freely to

the archipelago of Sulu, or from one point to another within the

Sulu waters, or from such a point to any other point in the world,

to touch, before or after, at any specified place in the archipelago

or elsewhere, to pay any duties whatsoever, or to get a permit from

said authorities, which, on their side, shall refrain from obstructing

or interfering in any way with the above mentioned trade.

It is understood that the Spanish authorities shall in no way and under

no pretense prevent the free importation and exportation of all sorts

of goods, without exception, save at such places as are occupied,

and in accordance with Declaration III, and that in all places not

occupied effectively by Spain, neither the ships and subjects above

mentioned nor their goods shall be liable to any tax, duty or payment

whatsoever, or any sanitary or other regulation.

III

In the places occupied by Spain in the archipelago of Sulu the Spanish

Government shall be empowered to establish taxes and sanitary and

other regulations, while said places are effectively occupied; but

Spain pledges herself, on her part, to provide in such places the

offices and employees necessary to meet the requirements of commerce

and the application of said regulations. It is however expressly

understood that the Spanish Government, while it is resolved to impose

no restrictive regulations in the places occupied by it, pledges itself

voluntarily not to establish in said places taxes or duties exceeding

those provided in the Spanish tariffs or in the treaties or conventions

between Spain and any other power. Neither shall it put into force

in said places exceptional regulations applicable to the commerce

and subjects of Great Britain, Germany and the other powers. In case

Spain should occupy effectively other places in the archipelago of

Sulu, and provide thereat the offices and employees necessary to

meet the requirements of commerce, the Governments of Great Britain

and Germany shall not object to the application of the rules already

stipulated for places occupied at present. But, in order to avoid the

possibility of new claims due to the uncertainty of business men in

regard to the places which are occupied and subject to regulations and

tariffs, the Spanish Government shall, whenever a place is occupied

in the Sulu archipelago, communicate the fact to the Governments of

Great Britain and Germany, and inform commerce at large by means of

a notification which shall be published in the official journals of

Madrid and Manila. In regard to the tariffs and regulations stipulated

for places which are occupied at the present time, they shall only be

applicable to the places which may be subsequently occupied by Spain

six months after the date of publication in the Official Gazette of

Madrid. It remains agreed that no ship or subject of Great Britain,

Germany and other powers shall be required to call at one of the

occupied places, when going to or from a place not occupied by Spain,

and that they shall not be liable to suffer prejudice on that account

or on account of any class of merchandise shipped to an unoccupied

place in the archipelago.

IV

The three Governments represented by the undersigned pledge themselves

respectively to publish the present declarations and to have them

strictly respected by their representatives, consular agents and

commanders of the naval forces in the seas of the Orient.

V

If the Governments of Great Britain and Germany do not refuse their

adhesion to the present Protocol within 15 days from this date, or if

they notify their acceptance before the expiration of said period,

through their undersigned representatives, the present Declarations

shall then come into force.

Manuel Silva, Secretary of State of His Majesty the King of Spain.

Done at Madrid, the 11th of March, 1877.

A true copy.--Madrid, April 2, 1877.--A true copy.--The Subsecretary,

Francisco Rubio.

APPENDIX XX

THE PROTOCOL OF SULU OF 1885, BETWEEN SPAIN, GERMANY, AND GREAT

BRITAIN, MARCH 7, 1885 [297]

General Government of the Philippines

Royal Order

Foreign Office.--No. 312.--Excellent Sir: The Secretary of State sends

me the following communication on March 29th, 1885:--Excellent Sir: I

have the honor to forward you a translated copy of the protocol between

Spain, Germany and Great Britain, the latter two nations recognizing

the sovereignty of the first over the archipelago of Sulu, signed in

Madrid on the 7th of March, 1885.--I send you this communication by

Royal order, and enclose a copy of the treaty referred to. God keep

your Excellency many years.--Madrid, April 8, 1885.--Tejada.

Manila, June 17, 1885.--To be executed and published in the Official

Gazette.

Terrero.

A seal which says: Office of the Minister of State.--Translation.--The

undersigned, his Excellency Señor José Elduayen, Marquis of Pazo

de la Merced, Minister of State of his Majesty the King of Spain;

His Excellency Señor Count Solms Sonnerwalds, Envoy Extraordinary

and Minister Plenipotentiary of his Majesty the Emperor of Germany,

and His Excellency Sir Robert B. D. Morier, Envoy Extraordinary and

Minister Plenipotentiary of her Britannic Majesty, authorized in due

form to carry on the negotiations followed in London and Berlin during

the years 1881 and 1882 by the representatives of his Majesty the

King of Spain with the Governments of Great Britain and Germany, for

the purpose of obtaining from these two powers the solemn recognition

of the sovereignty of Spain over the archipelago of Sulu, have agreed

on the following articles:

I

The Governments of Germany and Great Britain recognize the sovereignty

of Spain over the parts which are effectively occupied as well as

over those which are not yet occupied, of the archipelago of Sulu,

whose limits are established in Article II.

II

As expressed in Article I of the treaty signed on September 23, 1836,

between the Spanish Government and the Sultan of Sulu, the archipelago

of Sulu includes all the islands between the western extremity of the

island of Mindanao on one side and the mainland of Borneo and the

island of Palawan on the other, except those mentioned in Article

III. It is understood that the islands of Balabak and Kagayan Sulu

belong to the archipelago.

III

The Spanish Government renounces, as far as regards the British

Government, all claims of sovereignty over the territories of the

mainland of Borneo which belong or may have belonged to the Sultan

of Sulu, including the neighboring islands of Balambangan, Banguey,

Malawati, and all those comprised within a zone of three maritime

leagues from the coast, and which are part of the territories

administered by the company known as "The British North Borneo

Company."

IV

The Spanish Government pledges itself to carry out in the archipelago

of Sulu the stipulations contained in Articles I, II, and III of the

protocol signed in Madrid on March 11, 1877, viz.: (1) Commerce and

direct trading by ships and subjects of Great Britain, Germany and the

other powers are declared to be and shall be absolutely free with the

archipelago of Sulu and in all parts thereof, as well as the right

of fishery, without prejudice to the rights recognized to Spain by

the present Protocol, in conformity with the following declarations:

(2) The Spanish authorities shall no longer require ships and subjects

of Great Britain, Germany and the other powers, going freely to the

archipelago of Sulu, or from one point to another point in the world,

to touch, before or after, at any specified place in the archipelago

or elsewhere, to pay any duties whatsoever, or to get a permit from

said authorities, who, on their side, shall refrain from obstructing

or interfering in any way with the above mentioned trade.

It is understood that the Spanish authorities shall in no way and

under no pretense prevent the free importation and exportation of

all sorts of goods, without exception, save at such places as are

occupied, and in accordance with Declaration 3, and that in all places

not occupied effectively by Spain, neither the ships and subjects

above mentioned nor their goods shall be subject to any tax, duty

or payment whatsoever, or any sanitary or other regulation. (3) In

the places occupied by Spain in the archipelago of Sulu, the Spanish

Government shall be empowered to establish taxes and sanitary and

other regulations, while said places are effectively occupied; but

Spain pledges herself, on her part, to provide in such places the

offices and employees necessary to meet the requirements of commerce

and the application of said regulations. It is however expressly

understood that the Spanish Government, which is resolved to impose

no restrictive regulations in the places occupied by it, pledges

itself voluntarily not to establish in said places taxes or duties

exceeding those provided in the Spanish tariffs or in the treaties

or conventions between Spain and any other power. Neither shall it

put into force in said places exceptional regulations applicable to

the commerce and subjects of Great Britain, Germany and the other

powers. In case Spain should occupy effectively other places in the

archipelago of Sulu, and provide thereat the offices and employees

necessary to meet the requirements of commerce, the Governments of

Great Britain and Germany shall not object to the application of

the rules already stipulated for places occupied at present. But in

order to avoid the possibility of new claims due to the uncertainty of

business men in regard to the places which are occupied and subject

to regulations and tariffs, the Spanish Government shall, whenever a

place is occupied in the Sulu archipelago, communicate the fact to

the Governments of Great Britain and Germany, and inform commerce

at large by means of a notification which shall be published in the

Official Gazettes of Madrid and Manila. In regard to the tariffs

and regulations stipulated for places which are occupied at the

present time, they shall only be applicable to the places which

may be subsequently occupied by Spain six months after the date of

publication in the Official Gazette of Madrid.

It remains agreed that no ship or subject of Great Britain, Germany

and the other powers shall be required to call at one of the occupied

places, when going to or coming from a place not occupied by Spain,

and that they shall not be liable to suffer prejudice on that account

or on account of any class of merchandise addressed to an unoccupied

place in the archipelago.

V

The Government of her Britannic Majesty pledges itself to see

that there is entire freedom of commerce and navigation, without

distinction of flags, in the territory of North Borneo administered

by the "British North Borneo Company."

If the Governments of Great Britain and Germany do not refuse their

adhesion to the present protocol within fifteen days from this date,

or if they notify their acceptance before the expiration of said

period, through their undersigned representatives, the present

declarations shall then come into force. Done at Madrid the 7th

of March, 1885.--Seal.--(Signed) J. Elduayen.--Seal.--(Signed)

C. Solms.--Seal.--(Signed) R. B. D. Morier.

APPENDIX XXI

DECREE OF THE GENERAL GOVERNMENT IN REGARD TO PAYMENT OF TRIBUTE BY

SULUS, MARCH 1, 1894 [298]

Office of the Governor-General of the Philippines, Manila, March

1, 1894.

In view of the obligation incurred by the Sultan of Sulu by virtue

of which the Moros of all the Sulu archipelago have to pay from the

first day of January of next year, one real each, as a tribute of

vassalage; and since it is necessary to organize this service in a

regular manner and in harmony with the customs of the races living

there, I decree the following:

1. The Sultan of Sulu shall direct at once all the Datus and Chiefs

of the Moro rancherias [299] to make up lists of the names of the

inhabitants composing each aggregation, giving therein, besides the

names, the status of each individual.

2. These partial lists shall be fused in one single general census

which the Sultan of Sulu shall deliver to the politico-military

governor of that archipelago before October 1, of the current year.

3. The interpreters of Jolo, Siasi, Tata'an, and Bangao shall assist

the Sultan in the work of making up these lists and shall translate

them into Spanish; and for this extra work they shall receive the

allowances designated below, the amounts being deducted from the

total proceeds of the liege-money above referred to.

Allowances

To the interpreter of Jolo P20 per month.

To the junior linguist of Jolo P 6 Do.

To the interpreter of Siasi P 8 Do.

To the interpreter of Tata'an P 8 Do.

To the interpreter of Bangao P 8 Do.

4. As soon as the lists are completed and have been examined by the

politico-military governor of Sulu, certified copies shall be sent

to this office.

5. The collection of the tribute shall be made by means of certain

special cedulas, which in due time will be furnished to the Sultan for

distribution, who will collect the amounts paid in and deliver them

over in specie at the office of the politico-military governor of Sulu.

6. The total proceeds from the said tribute, after deducting the

amount of the allowances to the interpreters, shall be devoted for

the present to the development of the establishments of Jolo, and

especially to the construction of roads.

To be communicated.

Blanco.

APPENDIX XXII

ROYAL COMMUNICATION RELATIVE TO THE RIGHTS OF FOREIGNERS ON THE PEARL

FISHERIES OF SULU [300]

Manila, December 25, 1895. His high Excellency the Minister of

Colonial Affairs.

Excellent Sir: In compliance with the Royal order communicated

under date of the 23rd of October last, I have the honor to send

to your Excellency a copy of the previous record of investigations

transmitted by the office of this General Government, together with

the report of the office of the secretary, the remittance of which

your Excellency requests.

The inquiry formulated by the politico-military governor of Sulu,

arising out of a resolution of the fishery board of the naval station

relative to the order prohibiting foreign subjects from engaging in

the pearl fisheries in the waters of the Sulu archipelago, did not call

for a speedy resolution nor a close study, it being sufficient to bring

the matter to the knowledge of your Excellency without entering deeply

into the question involved, in order not to prejudice the resolution of

the same, leaving to the supreme judgment of his Majesty's Government

the entire appreciation of its reach and consequences, as the only

authority acquainted with the demands of our international relations

and the influence thereon of a decision in regard to a matter of such

recognized importance as is that of the interpretation to be given

to Declaration I of the Sulu Protocol of May 11th of 1877, contained

in Article IV of the Protocol between Spain, Germany, and Great

Britain, signed in Madrid on March 7th, 1885:--hence the brevity of

the data contained in the communications above referred to and even

the forbearance of this office from expressing a concrete opinion

(in any case, not called for) in regard to a question as vital as it

is complex. But circumstances, which are always superior to every will

and every calculation, now make prompt action necessary, and not only

forbid any delay, but impose upon this General Government the duty

of emitting an opinion which shall complement the data furnished

by the office of the secretary of the same, which data were less

extensive and explicit than they would certainly have been had not a

respect for the free initiative of the Supreme Government acted as

a restraining influence. The incident arising out of the presence

in the city of Jolo of the British subject Mr. H. W. Dalton, from

Sandakan, awaiting the arrival of a fleet of boats of light tonnage

belonging to the English concern, The Pearling and Trading Co. Ltd.,

[301] of which he is the representative for the purpose of using the

same in the mother-of-pearl shell fishery, which fact I communicated

to your Excellency by cablegram on the 3rd of the current month,

makes more urgent the sovereign decision in regard to the concrete

point as to whether foreign subjects are allowed to engage in the

pearl fishery in the archipelago of Sulu.

In the judgment of this office (which has, on various occasions,

inspired only by a regard for the best interests of the nation,

expressed the opinion that the Sulu Protocol is too prejudicial to

the said interests to permit of the points of doubtful interpretation

in the same being interpreted liberally), the point in regard to the

right of fishery which foreigners lay claim to exercise freely in

waters under the jurisdiction of our sovereignty, is not a doubtful

one at all, but is entirely contrary to their pretensions. The claims

are founded, according to the statements of those who agree with the

views which they involve, in Declaration I of the said Protocol of

1877, reproduced in the Protocol of 1885 and in that signed in Rome

in the same year, relating to the Caroline and Pelew Archipelagoes.

This declaration runs as follows--ratified by Article IV of the second

of these important diplomatic documents:

The direct commerce and trade of boats and subjects of Great

Britain, of Germany, and of the other powers, is declared, and

shall be, absolutely free in the archipelago of Sulu and in all

its parts, as also the right of fishery, without prejudice to the

rights recognized as belonging to Spain in the present Protocol,

in conformity with the following declarations * * *.

III. At points occupied by Spain in the archipelago of Sulu, the

Spanish Government may establish imposts, and sanitary and other

regulations of whatever kind, during the effective occupation of

the said points * * *.

From the transcript it is evident that Spain may regulate the

exercise of the right of traffic and commerce, not with the purpose

of restricting, and much less of denying, the principle of commercial

liberty recognized in Declaration I, but with that of conditioning

the exercise of that right in such a way that her own rights as

a sovereign nation shall not be infringed. And what she may do in

regard to mercantile trade, with greater reason she may and should

do in everything referring to the right of fishery, a right which is

declared only in general terms, and one of which the protocol does

not treat except in making the affirmation of the principle itself,

whereas in regard to commerce, it descends to minute details.

And this could not be otherwise, for anything else would be equivalent

to impairing the sovereignty of Spain; and this, in an agreement in

which this sovereignty is openly recognized and proclaimed, would

pre-suppose a contradiction so palpable and absurd that it is not

worth while even to discuss it.

Spain, as a sovereign and independent state, holds and exercises her

sovereignty not only in her territories and on the coasts of the same,

but in her jurisdictional waters, and can, therefore, regulate the

exercise therein of any right granted to foreign subjects, and may,

even, in the exercise of her sovereignty, prohibit the enjoyment

of such right altogether; this is an indisputable principle of

international law, though there is nothing to prevent a state from

limiting the same in favor of another or other states; but it is a

sine qua non condition to this that there shall be an express and clear

declaration of her will on this point, and no one can reasonably affirm

that Spain has made in the Sulu Protocols, neither in that of 1877, nor

in that of 1885, a total or partial surrender of this right in regard

to that of fishery; there is, it is true, a declaration in general

terms that the fisheries are absolutely free in the archipelago of

Sulu; but this absoluteness of the principle is immediately qualified

by the condition that it shall be without prejudice to the rights

recognized as belonging to Spain in the protocol, and it has already

been pointed out that one of these rights--the principal one and

that which contains all the others, the right of sovereignty--is

proclaimed and recognized at the head of the agreement. Outside this

declaration in general terms, there will not be found in all the

protocol a provision or regulation referring to the exercise of the

right of fishery and much less a concrete and express declaration on

the part of Spain that she will permit the exercise thereof freely on

her coasts and in her territorial waters. To permit of this a concrete,

clear, and definite declaration would be necessary, such as is to be

found in the Morocco Treaty, signed on November 30, 1861, Article 57

of which establishes qualifiedly "That Spanish subjects shall have a

right to fish along the coasts of the Moroccan Empire;" and even so,

in Article 60 of the same treaty, it is stipulated that, in order to

facilitate the coral fishery, in which the Spaniards engage on the

coast of Morocco, fishers shall pay the sum of 150 Spanish dollars for

each coral fishing boat, and that through the representative of Spain

they shall request permission from the minister of foreign affairs

of His Majesty the Sultan who shall issue the necessary authorization.

From which it may be seen that even in the case of declarations in

regard to the right of fishery which are concrete, clear and definite,

there is needed, for the free exercise of the same, something more

than a declaration in general terms, such as is that contained in

the Sulu Protocol of 1877.

Furthermore, it is always customary in international agreements which

refer to fishery rights to lay down regulations and provisions which

shall regulate the exercise of such rights, as is proved by a multitude

of agreements, among which are: that already cited of Morocco, that of

February 18th, 1886, between Spain and France regarding the fishery

and navigation of the Bidasoa, in which the right of oyster fishing

is restricted, its absolute prohibition being made possible; as also

that of 1889 ratifying the preceding one, the Portuguese convention

of March 27th of 1893 and the coast police and fishery regulations;

as well as that of August 22nd of 1894, in regard to the fisheries

in the waters of the Algarbes, etc.; all of which is well known by

the illustrious Government of His Majesty, and attention is called

to it here only in support of the opinion maintained, namely, that

the right to authorize, condition, restrict, and even prohibit the

engagement in fishery on its coast and in its jurisdictional waters

is inherent in the sovereignty of an independent state; and if it has

this right in regard to fisheries in general, with greater reason must

it preserve and exercise the same in regard to oyster fisheries, by

reason of the changes which may be produced in the sea bed, and even

for the purpose of preserving the breeding grounds of the precious

pearl-shell mollusk, the Avicula Margaritifera, the banks being the

property of the nation, and like all its territory, inalienable and

non-prescriptible; both so that they shall not be exhausted and that

their exploitation may be reserved for the national industry.

From the preceding, written with less detail than would have been the

case had the pressure of time permitted, it may easily be inferred

that, in the opinion of this General Government, Spain in spite of

Declaration I of the Sulu Protocol--perhaps it would be more correct

to say, by virtue of that very declaration, the terms of which

really determine the meaning of Declaration III and Article I of the

Treaty--preserves intact her right as a sovereign nation to restrict,

condition, and even prohibit engagement in the oyster fishery on her

coasts and in her jurisdictional waters, without further limitations

than those which she may deem expedient to self-impose.

Admitting her rights as a sovereign state, there arises a question of

a political nature, which the circumstances above indicated convert

into a problem demanding an early resolution.

To what extent should Spain exercise this right?

On this point, the views of the General Government will be expressed

as concisely as possible and with the soberness demanded both by the

respect due to the high prerogatives of the public authorities and by

an ignorance of many of the elements which enter into the question,

without a knowledge of which it is difficult to determine to what

extent it is expedient to restrict the exercise of the right to engage

in the oyster fisheries which foreign subjects claim to exercise freely

in the Sulu archipelago, a pretension which this General Government

regards as entirely opposed to the rights of Spain and her moral and

material interests in the Far East. Our prestige with the Malay races

here, our moral influence over these semi-civilized Mohammedan people,

who recognize no right or supremacy but that of might, demand that

Spain, as a colonizing nation, shall maintain the integrity of her

sovereignty and shall not seem to be subjugated to the will of other

Powers, as would appear if, in her territories and on her coasts,

with the knowledge and permission of her authorities and of her war

ships, and without even heeding them, foreigners should perform acts

which, like that of engaging in the mother-of-pearl fishery, being

contrary to our material interests, cannot be carried out without

paying tribute to the Moro sultans and chieftains themselves.

There is no doubt that the need for preserving cordial relations with

Germany and England and for maintaining the most perfect understanding

between the European powers in anticipation of some concerted action

in regard to the Empires of China and of Japan, which will render

necessary in the future the expansive policy of the latter towards

the south, as well as the hegemony claimed by the latter in the

Orient, counsel a circumspect international policy and a moderate

exercise of our sovereign rights in the archipelago of Sulu; and for

this reason, perhaps it would be inexpedient to forbid the right of

fishery to foreign subjects, as such action would certainly give rise

to diplomatic questions and remonstrances, which should be avoided

at any cost; but this General Government deems it indispensable to

condition and regulate the exercise of this fishery right, especially

in so far as it relates to the pearl-producing oyster, the exploitation

of which should be governed by considerations of our prestige and

of the advantage and benefit of our material interests. Supported

therefore by our right of sovereignty, by international practice,

and by the terms of Declarations I and III of the Protocol of 1877 and

of Articles I and IV of that of 1885, there should be issued certain

coast police and fishery regulations for the Sulu archipelago, laying

down clearly the relations which are to exist between the Spanish

Government and foreign subjects engaging in the fishery industries

along our coasts and in our jurisdictional waters; which industries

should not be engaged in, especially in the case of the oyster,

without the necessary authorization of the Spanish authorities, and

after the payment of the corresponding industrial patent or license,

or of the dues which it may be deemed expedient to exact.

Much more might be said in regard to this important question,

as unexpectedly presented as it is urgent of resolution, given

the conditions created by the claim of the British subject

Mr. H. W. Dalton; and this General Government appreciates fully

the deficiency of its suggestions, which will be advantageously

supplemented by the great wisdom of his Majesty's Government, its

exalted patriotism, and the solicitous care that it gives to everything

touching the high interests of the nation, by which elevated sentiments

they are inspired.

APPENDIX XXIII

ROYAL DIRECTIONS RELATIVE TO THE TREATMENT OF FOREIGNERS ENGAGED IN

PEARL FISHING IN THE SULU WATERS, MARCH 23, 1896 [302]

Colonial Office

Excellent Sir: Examined by this office of the government the papers

transmitted by your Excellency with the official communication

No. 1967, of September 16th last, in the question raised by the

politico-military governor of Sulu, by reason of a communication

addressed to the same by the office of the commander-general of

the naval station at Manila, directing the prohibition of the

mother-of-pearl fishery in the waters of Sulu and the Carolines;

studied also the report of the General Government, and that of the

council of administration of the Philippines, and heard also the

illustrious opinion of the Department of State, to secure which the

papers were sent there, accompanied by the Royal order of the 7th of

January last; bearing in mind that our prestige among the natives in

those islands would perforce suffer seriously if foreigners were to

perform, without any intervention on the part of our authorities, acts,

which, like that of engaging in the mother-of-pearl shell fishery,

they cannot carry on without paying tribute to the Moro Sultans and

chieftains; though it is not less true that the absolute prohibition of

the right of fishery to foreigners would arouse, as wisely foreseen by

your Excellency, diplomatic remonstrances based upon the Protocol of

Sulu of March 7th, 1886; his Majesty the King (whom God protect), the

Queen Regent of the Kingdom acting in his name, has seen fit to direct

that your Excellency be informed that he has seen with pleasure the

tact and prudence with which this question has been dealt with, in the

first place by your Excellency, and afterwards by all the authorities

who have intervened in the same; that so long as the representative of

the English Pearling and Trading Company, the captains of their boats,

or other foreigners, do not urge with importunity the right to carry

on the industry of the mother-of-pearl shell fishery within the zone of

jurisdictional waters and at occupied places, an endeavor must be made

to prevent their doing so, in order, if possible, to set a precedent

favorable to our interests; and that in the event of their insisting,

it will be necessary to permit them to engage in the industry of the

mother-of-pearl fishery, with the obligation to submit in so doing to

the rules and regulations now in force or which may be put into force

hereafter. It is also the wish of his Majesty that your Excellency be

apprised of the expediency of formulating, with the greatest possible

despatch, coast police and fishery regulations for the archipelagoes

of Sulu and the Carolines; in which regulations care must be taken not

to make special mention of the Protocols, nor to recognize expressly

the rights of foreigners, and, on the other hand, not to depart from

the terms of the provisions of these international agreements, so

that in the event of any foreigners claiming the right in question,

they shall not be able to elude compliance with the regulations by

basing their pretensions on the terms of the said Protocols; for all

of which your Excellency will place yourself in harmony with the

competent authorities whose duty it is to take cognizance of this

matter, submitting afterwards for the approbation of this office

drafts of the coast police and fishery regulations above referred to.

By Royal order I communicate the above to you for proper action.

God protect your Excellency many years.

Madrid, March 23rd, 1896.

Tomas Castellano: rubricated.

To the Honorable the Governor-General of the Philippine Islands.

APPENDIX XXIV

LA TORRE'S VIEWS ON THE POLICY THAT SHOULD BE ADOPTED IN MINDANAO

AND SULU, JANUARY 11, 1893 [303]

Office of the Governor-General of the Philippines

A seal with the inscription: "Office of the Captain-General of the

Philippines. Headquarters."

Excellent Sir: At all times the condition of the unsubdued regions

of the island of Mindanao and, in general, of the whole archipelago,

has occupied the close attention of the Governors-General of these

Islands, and they have studied, according to their respective views,

the best methods for the complete subjection of the same.

For my part, I have meditated deeply upon every thing relating

to this important matter, and judging both from past experience

and from observations that I have been able to make personally,

as I apprised your Excellency after my return from a visit to the

aforementioned island on May 29th last, I believe it is evident

that the adoption of the same system for the subjection of different

races will not be productive of good results. In the island of Luzon,

a properly understood policy of conciliation, accompanied by slight

displays of force, will be successful in conciliating and subduing

the people sooner or later; for it may be observed at once that here

there does not exist that great racial antagonism which nearly always

makes compromise impossible. Such a policy, linked with prudence and

particularly with justice on the part of the delegates of authority,

will always be productive of great results, aside from the fact that

there are here many villages whose inhabitants are not warlike, but,

on the contrary, are docile, and await only some slight indication on

our part to regard us as protectors and allies against their enemies.

Much has already been done in this direction, as is shown by the many

politico-military provinces existing in this island; but we should

not stop in this island of progress; and in order to carry forward

and consummate the complete subjugation of the extensive districts not

yet subdued, troops must be detailed,--not in very large numbers, but

still in numbers sufficiently large to affect appreciably the service,

equally necessary in other regions of the archipelago. This is one

of the reasons which make requisite an increase in the army force

stationed here; further, if the number of the comandancias [304]

is to be increased, it is obvious that, in order to garrison them,

more troops are needed.

I have pointed out the need there is for employing different methods

for the subjection of the different races; and in fact, in regard

to the races inhabiting Mindanao, I believe that it is obvious and

unquestionable that favorable results will never be secured without

employing methods other than those of attraction.

The Moro race is completely antithetic to the Spanish, whether the

latter be peninsular or indigenous, and will ever be our eternal enemy.

The past proves clearly that those ostensible and ephemeral

submissions, apparently guaranteed by oaths and agreements, do not

bind the Moros in the slightest degree; for, knowing nothing of the

first principles of good-faith and loyalty, they do not hesitate

to break their promises whenever a favorable opportunity offers and

they think it possible to defeat our troops. They make a pretense of

being trusting and attentive even to our smallest suggestions, but

they are always watching for a good chance to open up hostilities,

and will resort to treason and cunning.

For these reasons it is well that they should know that we are the

stronger; that our friendship suits their interests because we are

backed by force--which is the only argument they can understand;

that their friendship is of no moment to us; and that the instant

they antagonize us, they will be promptly and severely punished.

Having taken up this point of view, the policy that we should adopt

may be inferred.

It is not necessary to undertake operations on a large scale, or to

open what might be termed a regular campaign, as has been done every

two or three years in the past; but, with our troops established at

a number of fortified places, it may be seen at once from what has

been said above, that we ought to maintain them there at any cost,

and that, abandoning an attitude entirely passive, we should advance

little by little in our conquest, always establishing ourselves

firmly on the territory conquered. In this way we shall, step by

step, bring under our dominion a large area of territory, at the same

time extending our sphere of influence towards the interior. Given

the conditions above described, it will be understood at once how

much we should lose in importance in the eyes of such an enemy if,

in response to their frequent attacks, we confined ourselves entirely

to a defensive policy, for they would interpret such an attitude as

an indication of weakness; consequently it is impossible for us to

maintain an attitude of inactivity: rather, taking advantage of the

treacherous conduct of the enemy, we should castigate them by means

of rapid and unexpected excursions lasting a few days, and for this

purpose it is indispensable that small columns of troops be stationed

at two or three well chosen points.

That the Moros are not disposed to be our friends is evident: and

while frequent examples in the history of these islands, in addition

to what has been said above, are sufficient to prove this assertion,

it is further corroborated by the many despatches I have addressed to

your Excellency, apprising you of the attacks made by the Moros upon

our troops and especially of the incidents which have taken place

during the last months of the year 1892. These I will recapitulate

succinctly, as they show that, far from breaking the rebels, the

events have only increased their strength.

On the morning of October 28th, while a reconnaissance was being made

at the post of Baras, the detachment making the same was attacked

by some fifty or sixty Moros, who were awaiting them in ambush. The

latter were, however, repulsed, and our troops being reënforced by a

detachment from the fort, the enemy fled, leaving five dead on the

field, besides two spears, three krises, three kampilan, and two

daggers, the losses on our side being one dead and five wounded.

On the morning of November 9th, again at the time of making a

reconnaissance, at the post of Malabang, our men were attacked by

some sixty Moros, who, being repulsed, fled, leaving six dead on the

field--three others dying later, according to reports received--besides

four kampilan, three krises, one tabas, one lance, and four daggers;

the losses of our side being one soldier killed and six wounded.

These two posts being afterwards visited by the military commander

of Illana Bay and the politico-military governor of Mindanao, by

reason of reports having been received that some thousand Moros had

banded together for the purpose of attacking these two places, they

informed me that excellent discipline prevailed among the troops of

the said garrisons, and that the Moros must have beaten a retreat,

since they had not been seen in that country.

On my part I have directed that the greatest possible vigilance,

care, and watchfulness be exercised at all the posts, never losing

sight of the fact that they are always in the presence of the enemy,

as is proved by the frequency with which they have been attacked. I

have ordered, further, that, when making reconnaissances or upon any

other occasion when it is necessary to separate a detachment from the

main body, the greatest number of soldiers that the circumstances

permit be employed, so as to prevent a surprise or ambuscade,

which aside from the direct loss that it entails, might have the

effect of demoralizing the troops, and so of increasing the boldness

and temerity of the enemy; I have given special instructions, too,

that the officers display in the field the greatest possible energy,

so as to keep up the spirits and confidence of the men.

In the northern portion of Mindanao, between Iligan and Mumungan the

Moros have also been active in making attacks, and although beaten

in every case, thanks to the good discipline prevailing among the

men and the judgment shown by the officers, who inspire the former

with confidence and afford them a good example at all times, they

still hope to have better luck in their future raids, as is proved

by the despatches received from the politico-military commander of

Mumungan. These despatches show that our soldiers no longer fear the

Moro race, nor even the Juramentados; and that our men always await the

attack of the enemy with great calmness and bravery, as is shown by

the accounts of the frequent ambuscades laid and surprises attempted

by the Moros. Already at the beginning of 1892 the attitude of the

sultans and datus in the neighborhood of Mumungan was so questionable

that Captain Abad, then commander of the fort there, having attempted

to go up the river Agus, accompanied by only one officer and four

men--thus in the guise of absolute peace--Datu Ala, of Balud, who

is now our friend, stopped him when he approached his territory,

telling him that although he wished to live at peace with us, he

could not allow him to advance further, nor any part of our troops

to do so. In spite of this, two months after this incident, General

Castilla, following closely my instructions, and taking advantage of

the circumstance foreseen by me--that upon his arrival at Mumungan he

was visited by the neighboring datus and sultans, including the Sultan

of Pantar, he announced to the latter, acting under instructions from

me, his intention of returning the friendly visit. Leaving Mumungan

early, in spite of a continuous heavy rain storm, he reached Pantar

at about eleven in the morning without making any stop, accompanied

by Ala and another datu, and while he was holding an affectionate

interview with the Sultan of Pantar and the troops were resting,

the captain of engineers, Navarro, made a clandestine inspection of

the ground and took a rough sketch of the best site for the future

fort, close to a bridge that can be built across the river Agus,

with a turret or rough defensive fortification on the opposite bank;

this done, General Castilla returned that same afternoon to Mumungan,

which he reached before night, without having fired a shot, in spite of

the predictions of the datus that he might easily meet with resistance

on the road.

Later, all the datus living in the region lying between Pantar and

Iligan reiterated to me, personally, in May last, at Mumungan, and

later to the military commander, their protestations of adhesion to

Spain. Afterwards there came the visit that a goodly number of datus,

among them the Datu of Pantar, made me in Manila, where they remained

and were entertained during fifteen days; and with the consistent

approval of these, the road from Iligan to Mumungan was built, in

consequence of which work the weekly attendance of Moros at the market

of Iligan increased, and the Datu of Bukamar and another from Marawi

presented themselves in that place. Thither also the Datu Amay-Pakpak,

now an old man, promised to send his son. The concurrence of Moros

at that place was further increased by the assistance that was given

to a wounded Moro; until, at last, a solemn oath of allegiance was

secured, being taken, in the presence of the aforementioned military

commander, by a great number of datus and sultans, in accordance with

their ritual.

On November 8th, the military commander of Mumungan, under the pretext

of a wedding to which the Datu of Pantar had invited him and which he

attended, made an inspection of the country in the neighborhood of

the said rancheria [305] of Pantar, lying to the south of Mumungan,

and had an opportunity of seeing that, in conformity with the reports

I had received, Pantar possessed advantageous conditions for the

establishment there of another advance fort, the construction of

which could be commenced upon the continuation and completion up

to that point of the new road built from Iligan to Mumungan. But in

spite of the good intentions of the military commander not to break

into hostilities except in the last resort, in accordance with the

positive instructions I had given him, he was unable to prevent his

troops being attacked upon the return journey, and therefore they

opened fire upon the enemy; which proves once again the difficulty of

following the path of conciliation and attraction with an enemy who

pays absolutely no heed to reason; in spite of the fact that with

this method there had been joined that of warning the neighboring

Moros who profess to be so friendly, that the only genuine proof of

adhesion to which I should give credit would be that of the moral

and collective support of all of them against any act of aggression

within their territory committed by Moros from other rancherias,

whether in large or in small numbers.

On November 25th I was informed by the same military commander that,

while the convoy was transferring supplies from Mumungan to Iligan,

there appeared a juramentado, who attempted to wound a soldier; but

the latter, waiting for him with great calmness, defended himself

valiantly, and the Moro was despatched with the assistance of some

other soldiers who came upon the scene.

On the 10th of December I was informed that a detachment of the troops

stationed at Mumungan, while on its way to the market of Iligan was

attacked by a body of fourteen juramentados who, however, were repulsed

with a loss of two killed, while, on our side, one man was lost.

At Baras, also, while making the reconnaissance on December 10th there

appeared a band of Moros in an attitude of hostility; but they were

compelled to retire at the first volley from our troops. Nevertheless,

two juramentados separated themselves from the main body and attacked

an equal number of our men; the latter awaited them firmly and killed

them with bayonet thrusts. Another Moro was also slain while attempting

a precipitate flight. Recently, on the 15th of December, the military

commander of Mumungan, hearing of the intentions of the enemy, which

were far from peaceable, determined, in order to guard against all

contingencies, to continue the extension of the road and to complete

and close the palisade around the new inclosure at the fort, made so

as to accommodate the increased number of troops. For the first of

these two purposes, he left the fort at half past five in the morning,

well-armed and ready to punish the Moros if they presented themselves,

setting out with one hundred and fifty men of the 73rd regiment and

sixteen convicts, besides a corporal and eight persons of the 73rd

in charge of a company of engineers, another company of the 73rd and

sixty convicts, who marched without arms and equipped for work.

At ten o'clock in the morning the advance guard reached the entrance to

the wood, and as the intention was to collect lumber that had already

been cut and dragged to the road, the troops advanced. At this moment

there appeared in the middle of the road some eight hundred Moros

brandishing their arms and uttering war-cries, who immediately retired

to some defensive works which they had constructed out of the very

logs above referred to. In view of this, our troops continued their

march, opening fire at about one hundred yards from the defensive

works of the enemy, and in a little while, captured the same, routing

the defenders, as well as some more of the enemy who appeared on the

two flanks of the column, causing some eighty deaths; on our side we

had one killed and two wounded convicts. After this incident, the said

military commander made his way to Iligan without suffering any attack,

in spite of the fact that the Moros had constructed other defensive

works on the road, which latter were destroyed without any casualties.

The conduct of the troops on this march was brilliant, and I wish to

recommend to the consideration of your Excellency those who especially

distinguished themselves; but I have again directed the military

commander of Mumungan to avoid as far as possible all necessity for

fresh combats, extending, but without any compromise of dignity,

the policy of conciliation which I have so strongly recommended to him.

From all the above your Excellency will understand with how much

foresight I requested from the Government of his Majesty, on the

24th of April last, permission to place on a war footing as many of

the seven regiments which make up the infantry in these Islands as

had not yet been placed on this footing, setting forth the estimated

cost of the same in the plans which I sent for approval, and if the

increase was necessary then, it is evident that at the present time

it is much more necessary; for, as your Excellency will see from what

I have communicated to you in this extensive document, the condition

of the Moros, justifying the predictions made by me at that time,

has become steadily more hostile as they never rest nor miss any

opportunity of causing us the greatest possible harm, endeavoring

to obstruct all the work we plan to carry out for the improvement

of the means of communication between our present possessions; and

while it is true that they are not successful in their attempts,

still we must put a stop to their increasing audacity.

I take the liberty again to call the attention of your Excellency to

the absolute necessity of placing on a war footing the three regiments

now on a footing of peace, in accordance with the permission already

granted by the Department--without waiting until next July. In this

way, without undertaking a regular campaign, as I have already stated,

and without expense to the Government, it will be possible to improve

the present condition of things, which is gradually becoming somewhat

discreditable to the honor of the flag. I do not doubt that your

Excellency will so understand it, and I thank you in advance, in

the name of this suffering army, for the immediate concession of the

credit necessary for the reënforcement above mentioned. God protect

your Excellency many years.

Manila, January 11th, 1893.

Most Excellent Sir:--Eulogio Despojol.--Followed by a rubric. The most

Excellent the Minister of War.--A copy.--The Acting Colonel in Command

of Headquarters.--Pedro de Bascaran.--A seal with the inscription:

"Office of the Captain-General of the Philippines.--Headquarters."

A copy.--Luis de la Torre: rubricated.

NOTES

[1] See Ethnological Survey Publications, Vol. IV, Pt. I, p. 11.

[2] The spelling of proper names used throughout this paper is that

adopted by the author and differs in some respects from that in use

in the Division of Ethnology.--Editor.

[3] This settlement is on a small adjacent island of the same name.

[4] An officer next below a datu in rank.

[5] An officer next below a panglima in rank.

[6] The word Tumangtangis means "Shedder of tears." As the summit of

this mountain is the last object to be seen by sailors leaving the

island, they weep from homesickness when they lose sight of it.

[7] Quoted in Keppel's "Visit to the Indian Archipelago," p. 70.

[8] Some maps place this mountain near Tu'tu', but reliable Moros

apply the name to the mountain west of Si'it and nearer to Su' than

to Tu'tu'.

[9] Princess Ipil and her followers were wrecked and drowned at this

point. Their bodies are said to have turned into stone and formed the

rocks that line the shore. Some of the rocks seemed to the people to

resemble petrified human beings.

[10] Names of fruits with no English equivalents.

[11] A Philippine tree from the blossoms of which a perfume is made.

[12] Spanish word for street.

[13] Beach at the head of the bay.

[14] A sultanate in northern Borneo.

[15] The Mindanao Herald, July 21, 1906.

[16] Gum copal.

[17] Most of these are females.

[18] See below, p. 148.

[19] The eleventh month of the Mohammedan year.

[20] Sulu; the head, the chief.

[21] Arabic; the slave of the Merciful.

[22] Malay; sir or mister.

[23] Arabic; leader, caliph, high priest.

[24] A Sulu form of the Arabic "Caliph."

[25] Malay-Sanskrit; minister of state.

[26] The central high region of Sumatra.

[27] Malay; officer of state. It literally means "rich man."

[28] Sanskrit; king.

[29] Malay-Sanskrit; emperor or caliph. It is here used as a proper

noun.

[30] A place in Lati, Sulu.

[31] Sulu; chicken, fowl.

[32] Sulu-Malay; slave.

[33] Sanskrit; wise.

[34] Arabic; understanding, mind.

[35] Malay-Sanskrit; subordinate officer of state.

[36] Arabic; lady, grandmother.

[37] Arabic; safe and sound.

[38] Malay; lady, woman.

[39] Arabic; righteous.

[40] A title of nobility.

[41] Arabic, Fatimah; the name of the Prophet's daughter.

[42] Arabic; brilliant.

[43] Arabic; wife or husband.

[44] Arabic; beautiful.

[45] Arabic; hoping.

[46] Arabic; faithful.

[47] Arabic; religion.

[48] Arabic; trusted or trustworthy.

[49] Arabic; guide, leader.

[50] Sulu; fruit.

[51] Arabic; intelligent.

[52] Arabic; feminine of "salim" or safe and sound.

[53] Arabic; sleeping.

[54] Arabic; known.

[55] Arabic; noble, subordinate officer of state.

[56] Sanskrit; Iddha, kindled, lighted, or sunshine.

[57] Sanskrit; Indra, the god of the heavens, or most likely Indira,

name of Lakshmi, the wife of Vishnu.

[58] Sulu; light, sun.

[59] Arabic; wise.

[60] The name of Mohammed's wife.

[61] Arabic; everlasting, eternal.

[62] Arabic; perfection.

[63] Arabic; scribe.

[64] Arabic; educated, taught.

[65] Arabic; virtuous.

[66] Arabic; pride, glory.

[67] Arabic; father.

[68] Arabic; firm, resolute, an attribute of God.

[69] Arabic; Mary.

[70] The Baklaya party should have been mentioned after the Tagimaha,

but it was evidently left out by mistake. Tagimaha is a Sanskrit word

which means country.

[71] Arabic; generous, noble.

[72] Arabic; served, master.

[73] Arabic; noble, applied to a descendant of Mohammed.

[74] Sulu, anchorage. The settlement lies 3 miles west of Jolo.

[75] It is used here as a name. As a title it is higher than raja

and is equivalent to sultan or emperor.

[76] The Moro word for Zamboanga.

[77] Arabic; night, a common name.

[78] Arabic; power, superior authority, sultan.

[79] Arabic; glory.

[80] A corrupt form of the Arabic Ahmad.

[81] From the Arabic "Sheikh," meaning chief.

[82] A place in Sumatra (?)

[83] Java.

[84] Arabic; master or noble, addressed to descendants of the prophet

Mohammed.

[85] Town and state in southeastern Sumatra.

[86] Arabic; noble. This word is often pronounced by the Moros as

"salip" or "sarip."

[87] Arabic; height.

[88] Sanskrit; princess.

[89] Sanskrit; greater king, emperor.

[90] In Malay it indicates rank or office; in Sulu it is used only

as a name.

[91] Malay; young.

[92] Arabic; defender.

[93] Arabic; honor, respect.

[94] Arabic; star, meteor, bright flame.

[95] Arabic; chosen (by God).

[96] Arabic; interceder.

[97] Arabic; victory.

[98] From the Arabic `azeem or great; not from `Alim, meaning learned.

[99] Arabic; exalter or defender.

[100] Arabic; Israel.

[101] Arabic; honor.

[102] Arabic; orator; the pandita who reads the oration, a part of

the religions services held on Friday.

[103] See Ethnological Survey Publications, Vol. IV, pt. 1, p. 64.

[104] The servant of the giver.

[105] Jamiyun is Sanskrit and means brother or sister's son; Kulisa

is Indra's thunderbolt.

[106] One of the names of the wife of Vishnu.

[107] Sulu; the sun.

[108] The Sulus believed that Alexander the Great came to Sulu and

that their ancient rulers were descended from him.

[109] Sanskrit; the plant. Jamiyun Kulisa, Indira Suga, and Masha'ika

are the names of the ancient gods of Sulu. Prior to Islam the Sulus

worshiped the Vedic gods and evidently believed them to be the

forefathers or creators of men. The Sulu author was ignorant of this

fact and used the names of the gods as names of real men.

[110] Arabic; faithful.

[111] Chief.

[112] A gong used for signals and in worship.

[113] Western district of the Island of Sulu.

[114] The northern and central district of the Island of Sulu.

[115] The southern and central part of the Island of Sulu.

[116] The eastern part of the Island of Sulu.

[117] The town where the present Sultan of Sulu resides.

[118] The inhabitants of the region west of the town of Jolo.

[119] The inhabitants of the northern coast, east of Jolo.

[120] Arabic; generous.

[121] Arabic; master or served.

[122] Arabic; noble; a title applied to a descendant of Mohammed.

[123] Arabic; plural of wali, a man of God.

[124] Sulu; anchorage; the ancient capital of Sulu.

[125] A district in Sumatra.

[126] Arabic; beauty.

[127] Arabic; plural of karim, meaning generous.

[128] Arabic; orator; a high religious title, allied to Imam.

[129] Arabic; slave or servant.

[130] Arabic; the Giver, referring to God.

[131] See p. 152.

[132] Genealogies; see Vol. IV, pt. 1, p. 11, Ethnological Survey

Publications.

[133] Sanskrit; sunshine.

[134] Natives of the Celebes; they were often called by the Spaniards

Macassars.

[135] Timway or tumuway, meaning "leader" or "chief," is the title

given to the chiefs of the land before Islam. Timway has been replaced

by datu.

[136] It is possible that this color distinction arose from an early

superstition or belief of Hindu origin assigning those divisions of

the island to the four respective Hindu deities, who are generally

represented by those four colors.

[137] Quoted in Keppel's "Visit to the Indian Archipelago," p. 127.

[138] This term is applied in Sulu in the same sense as the Malay

terms Orang-banua and Orang-bukit, meaning hill tribes or aborigines,

or, as they say in Mindanao, Manubus.

[139] This term is used here in the same sense as Orang-Malayu meaning

the better or seacoast Malays.

[140] The determination of this date and that of the rule of Abu

Bakr is covered by a complete statement which will appear in the

chapter on the early Mohammedan missionaries in Sulu and Mindanao,

to be published in a later paper.

[141] The first historic seat of Malay rule was Pagar Ruyong (in

the mountains of Sumatra), the capital of the so-called "Empire of

Menangkabaw." (Malay-English Dictionary, R. J. Wilkinson, III, 2.)

[142] Brass cannon used by Moros.

[143] Variety of mango.

[144] The prince of the princes.

[145] The exalter of the humble.

[146] The defender of the faith; the first.

[147] Malay word, meaning "in the mountain."

[148] The Sulu equivalent of "Digunung."

[149] The kind.

[150] "The Philippine Islands," Blair and Robertson, Vol. IV, p. 174.

[151] Bisayas.

[152] Natives of the Philippine Islands.

[153] Large estates assigned to Spaniards.

[154] An honorific title given to the early governors of the

Philippines.

[155] The Philippine Islands, Blair and Robertson II, pp. 98, 99.

[156] Ibid., II, p. 156.

[157] Ibid., VII, p. 68, 69.

[158] So given in the text without explanation. It is probably

a weight.

[159] The Philippine Islands, VIII, pp. 73-75.

[160] Apuntes sobre Jolo, Espina, p. 56.

[161] A large canoe used by the Malayan peoples with two rows of oars,

very light, and fitted with a European sail; its rigging of native

manufacture. (Philippine Islands, II, p. 246.)

[162] Large Moro boat with outriggers.

[163] Bungsu, the sultan; sire and intermediator.

[164] Name of boat used in the Philippine Islands.

[165] Rizal conjectures that this word is a transformation of the

Tagál word, lampitaw, a small boat still used in the Philippines.

[166] We follow Stanley's translation. He derives the word cacatal

(zacatal) from zacatc, or sacate, signifying "reed," "hay," or other

similar growths, zacatal thus being a "place of reeds" or a "thicket."

[167] A long weapon resembling a sword, used by Moros.

[168] From kalasag, a shield. (Rizal.)

[169] Argensola says that this native, named Ubal, had made a

feast two days before, at which he had promised to kill the Spanish

commander. (Rizal.)

[170] Posts set upright in the ground.

[171] Sucesos de Is Islas Filipinas, Dr. Antonio de Morga, Mexico,

1609; The Philippine Islands, XV, pp. 90-92.

[172] See Appendixes I and II, Pacification of Mindanao.

[173] Fathoms.

[174] The Philippine Islands, Blair and Robertson IX, pp. 283, 285-287.

[175] Ibid., IX, pp. 289, 290.

[176] See Appendix III, Moro Raids of 1599 and 1600.

[177] History of the Philippines, Barrows, pp. 153, 154.

[178] See Appendix IV, Gallinato's expedition to Jolo.

[179] See Appendix V, Olaso's expedition.

[180] The greatest Sultan of Mindanao, the son of Bwisan.

[181] An account of this fight and the Moro expedition under Tagal

is given in "The Philippine Islands," Blair and Robertson XXVII,

pp. 215-226.

[182] See "Letter from Corcuera to Philip IV." (The Philippine Islands,

XXVII, pp. 346-359.)

[183] See Appendix VI, Corcuera's campaign in Jolo.

[184] On Moro pirates and their raids in the seventeenth century,

see The Philippine Islands, Blair and Robertson, XLI, pp. 277-324.

[185] A Spanish measure of weight used in the Philippine Islands,

equivalent to about 133 pounds.

[186] The defender of the Faith.

[187] Relación de a entrada del Sultan Rey de Joló, in Archivo del

Bibliófilo Filipino, Vol. I.

[188] History of the Philippines, Barrows, p. 227.

[189] See Appendix VII, Obando's report on the preparations to be

undertaken to return Alimud Din to Sulu; also Appendix VIII, Obando's

report on the circumstances attending the attempt to return Alimud

Din to Sulu.

[190] The Philippine Islands, Foreman, pp. 145, 146.

[191] The sultan complained that he had not been treated in Manila

with dignity equal to his rank and quality, and that he had constantly

been under guard of soldiers in his residence (this was explained to

be a guard of honor).

[192] The Philippine Islands, Foreman, p. 147.

[193] On the occupation of Palawan and Balabak, see Appendixes IX

and X.

[194] History of the Philippines, Barrows, p. 228.

[195] See Appendix XI.

[196] See Forrest's "A Voyage to New Guinea," pp. 320-335.

[197] Another name for Jolo and the name of the stream which passes

through it.

[198] It is more likely that elephants were obtained from Borneo

and Sumatra.

[199] Some were more than 90 feet in length.

[200] One of the settlements forming the town of Kotabato.

[201] This was an erroneous impression. It no doubt seemed so to

Captain Forrest who judged from his observations of Sultan Israel

who acquired a taste for European music in Manila.

[202] A Voyage to New Guinea, Capt. Thomas Forrest, pp. 336-337.

[203] Name given to the network of channels by which the waters of

the Pasig River find their way to the sea.

[204] History of the Philippines, Barrows, pp. 246-248.

[205] See Appendixes XII, XIII, XIV, and XV.

[206] A variety of palm from which mats and sails are made.

[207] Edition of 1853, pp. 57-69.

[208] A leaf chewed with betel nut.

[209] Amirul Mu'minin or Alimud Din I.

[210] See Appendixes XVI and XVII.

[211] A visit to the Indian Archipelago, p. 58.

[212] A big dugout canoe.

[213] Vessels of some 11 meters length, 1 1/2 meters beam, and 40

centimeters overhang at the bow. They are furnished with outriggers

and a removable deck [commonly of loose slats]. (Note in Montero y

Vidal's History of the Piracy of the Mohammedan Malays.)

[214] The Spanish word for conquest transliterated. The word can not

be understood by the Sulus.

[215] Datu Daniel.

[216] Spanish. Como reconocimiento de dominio (i.e., of Spain). The

idea is that the settler acknowledges that he does not own the land

in fee simple, but holds it as a tenant of the state.

[217] A police force maintained in the Philippines during Spanish

times.

[218] Troops made up of men deported from other parts of the Islands.

[219] A large knife used by Moros in fighting.

[220] Men who have taken an oath to kill non-Mohammedans.

[221] Moro cannon.

[222] About 5 cents, United States currency.

[223] See Appendix XVIII, on regulations relative to taxes and

imports on natives and immigrants in Sulu; also Appendix XIX, on the

protocol of Sulu of 1877 between Spain, Germany, and Great Britain;

Appendix XX, on the protocol of Sulu of 1885 between Spain, Germany,

and Great Britain; Appendix XXI, decree of the General Government

in regard to payment of tribute of Sulus; Appendixes XXII and XXIII,

on rights of foreigners engaged in pearl fishing in Sulu waters.

[224] A chief subordinate to a datu.

[225] See Appendix XXIV, on La Torre's views on the policy that should

be adopted in Mindanao and Sulu.

[226] The Philippine Islands, Blair and Robertson, XV, pp. 93-100.

[227] A point and settlement on the north bank of the Mindanao River

and at its mouth.

[228] A careful review of Ronquillo's reports and letters on his

pacification of Mindanao shows an evident error in the use of the

word Bwayan to signify the settlement or stronghold of the Sultan

of Magindanao. Bwayan here, and probably in Figueroa's report, too,

is used in place of Magindanao, which lay on the site occupied at

present by Kotabato. Bwisan was then the Sultan of Magindanao and

headed the opposition to Ronquillo's advance up the north branch of

the Mindanao River. Sirungan, who is mentioned in this report, might

have been a datu or subdatu of Magindanao, not necessarily Sirungan,

the Raja of Bwayan.

[229] The correct name is Sirungan.

[230] Cachil or Kachil is a Malay word signifying "little" or "young,"

hence a youth of distinction or a younger prince of the royal line.

[231] A tributary of the Mindanao River which rises in Talayan,

and empties at Taviran.

[232] The Philippine Islands, Blair and Robertson, XI, pp. 135-139.

[233] Unsigned.

[234] Point or bay, not an Island.

[235] Point or bay, not an island.

[236] The Strait of Sunda, which separates Java from Sumatra.

[237] The Philippine Islands, Blair and Robertson, XV, pp. 190-196.

[238] This word is as commonly used with an "l" as with an "r,"

as Sirungan.

[239] A strong wind south by west.

[240] Shields.

[241] This was the first piratical expedition made against the

Spaniards by the inhabitants of the southern islands. (Rizal.)

Barrantes (Guerras Piraticas) wrongly dates the abandonment of La

Caldera and the incursion of the Moros 1590. Continuing, he says:

"The following year they repeated the expedition so that the Indians

retired to the densest parts of the forests, where it cost considerable

trouble to induce them to become quiet, for a woman, who proclaimed

herself a sibyl or prophetess, preached to them that they should not

obey the Spaniards any longer, for the latter had allied themselves

with the Moros to exterminate all the Pintados."

[242] Native word for mountain.

[243] Those to whom land had been granted with control over the

natives who worked on it.

[244] The Island of Gimarás, southeast of Panay, and separated from

it by the Strait of Iloilo.

[245] Probably gongs.

[246] Neither Stanley nor Rizal throws any light on this word. The

Spanish dictionaries likewise fail to explain it, as does also a

limited examination of Malay and Tagal dictionaries. Three conjectures

are open: 1. A derivative of tifatas, a species of mollusk, hence a

conch; 2. A Malay or Tagal word for either a wind or other instrument,

the Malay words for "to blow," "sound a musical instrument," being

tiyup and tiyupkan; 3. A misprint for the Spanish pifas, a possible

shortened form of pifanos, signifying fifes.

[247] The Philippine Islands, Blair and Robertson, XV, pp. 240-244,

264-268.

[248] Sailing vessels.

[249] The Philippine Islands, Blair and Robertson, XXIII, pp. 87, 88.

[250] Unsigned.

[251] A small vessel used as a tender to carry messages between

larger vessels.

[252] The Philippine Islands, Blair and Robertson, XXVIII, pp. 41-63.

[253] In the manuscript that we follow the letter of March 31 is

given second, while that of April 5 is given first; we have arranged

them chronologically.

[254] Garo: probably the same as garita; a fortified outpost.

[255] The translation of this passage seems to be, "If God fights

against a city, he who guards it watches in vain." The difficulty

lies in "a custodierit," which we translate as "fights against."

[256] A Spanish measure of length which is about equal to 1 yard,

English measure.

[257] The Gimbahans or Sulus of the interior mountains.

[258] Babui, in their language, signifies "pig"; apparently they

called the Spaniards "swine," as expressing the acme of contempt for

their besiegers.

[259] "Thanks be to God who has given us the victory through our Lord

Jesus Christ."

[260] Combés says (Hist. Mindanao, Reana's ed., column 264) that this

queen, named Tuan Baluka, was a native of Basilan, and that she had

acquired such ascendancy over her husband that the government of Sulu

was entirely in her hands. This statement explains the presence of

the Basilan men in the Sulu stronghold.

[261] Zamboanga, the correct spelling is Samboangan.

[262] Culverins of small bore.

[263] This letter is unsigned; but the transcript of it made by

Ventura del Arco places it with others ascribed to Barrios. See

detailed accounts of the expedition against Jolo (Sulu) in Combés's

Hist. Mindanao y Joló (Retana and Pastells ed.), cols. 349-368;

Diaz's Conquistas, pp. 388-401: Murillo Velarde's Hist. Philipinas,

fol. 92, 93; and La Concepcion's Hist. Philipinas, V, pp. 334-351.

[264] From the Division of Archives, Executive Bureau, Manila.

[265] The Recoletos or barefoot Augustinian friars.

[266] Spanish expediente, the collection of all the papers referring

to a single subject.

[267] From the Division of Archives, Executive Bureau, Manila.

[268] Maestre de Campo.

[269] The inhabitants of Koran, northeast Borneo, pagan pirates

subdued by Sulu in 1769.

[270] Official designation of the Audiencia when assembled in executive

session under the presidency of the Captain-General.

[271] From the Division of Archives, Executive Bureau, Manila.

[272] Sp. forzados, men compelled to row in the galleys, usually as

punishment for crime.

[273] Manila. The shorter form of its title of "La siempre noble y

leal Ciudad."

[274] From the Division of Archives, Executive Bureau, Manila.

[275] A small sailing vessel.

[276] From the Division of Archives, Executive Bureau, Manila.

[277] From the Division of Archives, Executive Bureau, Manila.

[278] The Honorable East India Company.

[279] From the Division of Archives, Executive Bureau, Manila.

[280] I.e., of the Sulus.

[281] Sp. champanes.

[282] From the Division of Archives, Executive Bureau, Manila.

[283] "En sus propios buques" (i.e., of Sulu).

[284] This and the following statements are not correct.

[285] From the Division of Archives, Executive Bureau, Manila.

[286] Though inaccurate and biased, the ideas expressed in this report

represent the opinion and feelings of many Spanish officials who were

connected with Moro affairs.

[287] The correct name is Abu Bakr.

[288] Such a statement is unduly biased.

[289] A Spanish magistrate.

[290] From the Division of Archives, Executive Bureau, Manila.

[291] From the Division of Archives, Executive Bureau, Manila.

[292] Vessels up to 80 feet length by 18 or 20 beam, made of wood,

bamboo, nipah, and rattan. The Moros arm them by placing at the two

sides lantakas and falconets, mounted on iron swivels, and at the

bow and stern, cannon set in stout pieces of timber. The sails are

usually of matting made of saguran [a kind of palm-leaf], spread on

bamboo poles. (Note in Montero y Vidal's History of the Piracy of

the Mohammedan Malays.)

[293] From the Division of Archives, Executive Bureau, Manila.

[294] Sp. Contaduría General.

[295] Personal registration fees.

[296] From the Division of Archives, Executive Bureau, Manila.

[297] From the Division of Archives, Executive Bureau, Manila.

[298] From the Division of Archives, Executive Bureau, Manila.

[299] Settlements.

[300] From the Division of Archives, Executive Bureau, Manila.

[301] The Gearling & Tradin (sic.).

[302] From the Division of Archives, Executive Bureau, Manila.

[303] From the Division of Archives, Executive Bureau, Manila.

[304] A term used by the Spaniards to designate certain governmental

districts in the Philippines.

[305] Settlement.

End of Project Gutenberg's The History of Sulu, by Najeeb M. Saleeby