The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-07-09
ISLAND OF sULU.
Character of the Land Said to Have
Been Coded TO Germany by Spain.


Been Coded TO Germany by Spain.
From the Philadelphia Ledger.
New York, July "a variety of spell
ings in aliases and Biographies might tend
to confuse the average mind as to the
identity of the island which is said to have
been coded by Spain to Germany 1t is
safe to assume, however, that the island
of sulu Cor Yolo), in the sulu Archipelago,
| is the one that is meant.
The archipelago consists of some lao ISL
ands, most of them very small, and divid-
ed into three groups. The whole chain of
the Sulus is practically a continuation of
the southwestern promontory of Minda-
mao. the second largest of the Philippine
Islands.
The area of the Sulu group is estimated
at ,94S square miles, and its population at
Is, 600, mostly Mohammedans. Sulu itself
stretches thirty-five miles from east TO
west with a breadth of from five to ten
miles. The whole territory was for cen
turtles under the sway of a despotic dyn-
asty of sovereigns, founded in the early
days, when Mohammedanism first pene-
trated among the Malay Islanders.
Finally, in 1851, the Spaniards conquered
the Island of Sulu, which they have since
continuously held, and in 1878 added tho
rest of the archipelago to their posses
sions. Since then Sulu has become the
capital of the group. The Sultan is still
allowed to exercise a nominal authority,
but Spain has been the real master. He
gets an annual income of 1900 francs, or
a little over $1,000, and on tins sum is con-
tentedly able to keep up certain amount
of state.
But his restless subjects have always
cha faH oil oh, bae an,
terfered with their favorite pursuit Of
piracy. Their discomfort is continually
fomented by the Panditas, or Mohamme-
dan priests, who feel Inundated by the
presence of Roman Catholic monks ard
missionaries.
The greater part Of the Island of Sulu
shows a volcanic origin Large blocks Of
lava are found on the seashore, in the beds
of rivers, and a short distance below the
surface of the earth everywhere. But that
surface is extremely fertile. Forests
abound in teak, sandawOod and other
timber. Cocoanut trees, bananas, man
goes and oranges are plentiful. Wild
bears and deer are common, and the do
nestle animals are found everywhere.
Trade and commerce are almost exclusive
ly in the hands of the Spanish and Chinese
settlers
The main occupation OF the islanders
since they have been forciDly redeemed
from piracy is agriculture. But many de-
vote themselves 40 the collection and sale
of edible birds nests and to the pearl fish,
cries. Many OF the natives in the larger
cities and their neighborhoods are
wealthy and live in a certain barbaric
state. Their houses are rudely, but com
fortaby constructed of bamboo and other
wood made mpervious TO the weather by
interlaced bamboo leaves or straw.
Being Mohammedans the men are poly
gamous. The prominence Of the individual
is determined by the number of his wives.
Nor is he very particular as to the meth
DDS by which he fills his harem. Indeed,
the slave trade is stll carried on in the
islands, which are practically out of reach
of Spanish authority, and many Of the
more attractive women sold into captivity
find their way into the harems Of the
weather citizens of Sulu.