Statement showing the navigation at the port of Tripoli of Barbary for the year ending June 30, 1882. Total number of vessels entered during year ending June 30, 1881 Decrease on year ending June 30, 1882. Tons. 271, 058 225, 532 45,526 267, 124 219,557 47, 567 ALGERIA. Annual report by Consul Jourdan. UNITED STATES CONSULATE, I have the honor to transmit my annual report respecting the imports, exports, and navigation of Algeria for the year 1881, containing four statements, viz: Statement No. 1 shows the quantity and value of the imports, amounting to $68,450,532. Statement No. 2 shows the quantity and value of the exports, amounting to $28,716,920. Annexed to statement No. 1 there is the comparative result of imports and exports between the years 1880 and 1881, and also a report of the revenues of this colony during the said year 1881. Statement No. 3 shows the country whence the goods were imported and whither exported. Finally, statements Nos. 4 and 5 are the return of navigation of Algeria, and the trade between Algeria and the United States. At the beginning of 1881 a considerable decrease was expected in the general trade of the colony. The staple commodity had suffered severely from the drought, the insurrection in the district of Oran was increasing, and the laborers, nearly all Spaniards, were abandoning the country to escape the Arabs and the war. However, that state of things gradually improved by the middle of the year, owing to the numerous arrivals of products for the support of the troops sent from France on account of Tunisian affairs and the troubles in the south of Algeria, as also to the activity in the construction of new railroads for military purposes, and, finally, to the return of those laborers who had fled from the country apparently from fear of the insurrection, but in reality for the desire of returning to visit their homes in Spain at the expense of their government. The imports, compared with those of 1880, gave in 1881 an increase of $7,763,604, due mostly to a larger import of provisions on account of the movements of troops from France. The share of the United States in that increase amounted to $508,328, in spite of the French decree of the 18th of February, 1881, which prohibited the admission of American pork. On the contrary, the exports show a decrease of $5,050,107, which is easily explained by the deficiency in the staple products and the troubles in the south, which restrained the commercial and financial business; the decrease is noticeable in cereals, fodder, vegetables, fruits, and esparto grass, which is principally exported from the district of Oran. The export of iron ore has been almost the same as in 1880, but lead ore has been exported to a much larger extent. The treasury revenues have given an increase of $188,499, partly due to the large imports of cereals and provisions. The statement of navigation shows also an increase in the number of vessels and tonnage, but I regret not to see among them more than one American vessel. Norwegian, Italian, and British shipping continue to carry on the trade from and to the United States, as the French and British bankers and merchants keep in their hands nearly all the financial and commercial transactions. To remedy this state of things I do my best to make known and recommend our products, so as to continue to increase yearly the quantity of our imports, which could be made much more extensive. I try to induce the merchants to carry on a direct trade with the United States and hope to succeed, but it requires constant efforts and time. UNITED STATES CONSULATE, ALEX. JOURDAN, Consul. 1.-Imports, by articles, into Algeria during the year 1881. |