Jasper County Democrat, Volume 4, Number 15, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 July 1901 — WHAT JOLO LOOKS LIKE. [ARTICLE]

WHAT JOLO LOOKS LIKE.

Nothing More Than a Military Post, but Ha* a Sultan. Jolo, the most remote island belongs ing to the United States, is 78 miles southeast from Manila, says an official report at the Washington war office. The island was first occupied on May 19, 1899, when the 23d Infantry, under the command of Captain E. B. Pratt, relieved the Spanish General, Huertas, who had with him a garrison of twenty-four officers and 800 men. The Village of Jolo is thus described ky Major Sweet: “It is hardly more than a good-sized military post, beautifully laid out, with broad, clean streets, lined with flowering trees and gardens, and surrounded by a loop-holed wall about 8 feet high and Iy a feet thick. The population Is estimated at 400, inostly Chinamen, one German, no other Europeans. Fquc, male Moros live within the walls. The public buildings are In a dilapidated condition. The Governor's residence and office is one small building. There is one group of barracks (four buildings) which will accommodate one battalion. The theater will accommodate one company, and outlying blockhouses two companies. A commissary, postofflee, schoolhouse, a hospital for about ten beds, a market and some few small structures compose the remainder of the public buildings.” The commanding officer of the United States troops, the day after bis arrival, wrote about Jolo as follows: "The situation, in so far as determined from our limited experience, is as follows: Spain possesses the small walled town known as Jolo. The Governor has complete control within the walls. There are no civil courts, no civil officers. Outside the walls the Sultan of Jolo and Borneo is the ruler. Spain pays him S2OO, Mexican, per month. At present he is not on the island, but is visiting one of the neighboring islands about thirty miles south. lie has recently returned from Mecca, and now dresses in European costume. Spanish soldiers seldom go beyond the range of the outlying blockhouses. The relation between the natives (Moros) and Spain is not altogether harmonious.”