Mosier's recollection fully aligns with historical facts. Previously in Zamboanga, the most prosperous area of Mindanao Island, a dramatic population decline led to a near shutdown of productive activities. Only the plantations, factories, and workshops run by Spaniards and Chinese were spared from disaster.
However, with the loss of a vast population, all industries in Zamboanga basically ground to a halt. After all, without people, the supply of raw materials and market demand that the city originally had were halved. The Far East acted purely for the sake of destruction.
In the period that followed, Zamboanga continued to see a massive outflow of population, mainly the Spaniards engaged in commercial trade. After all, the raw materials and markets were destroyed by the Far East, making the prospect of wealth unattainable if they stayed, so it was better to leave outright.
