Foreign weights and measures, with American equivalents-Continued. Milligram (1000 gram) equals 0.0154 grain. Decagram (10 grams) equals 0.3527 ounce. Millier or tonnea-ton (1,000,000 grams) equals 2,204.6 pounds. Hectoliter (100 liters) equals 26.417 gallons. Metric measures of length. Millimeter (1000 meter) equals 0.0394 inch. No 275-03- B Meter equals 39.37 inches. Decameter (10 meters) equals 393.7 inches. Hectometer (100 meters) equals 328 feet 1 inch. Kilometer (1,000 meters) equals 0.62137 mile (3,280 feet 10 inches). Myriameter (10,000 meters) equals 6.2137 miles. Metric surface measures. Centare (1 square meter) equals 1,550 square inches. Trade in the Canary Islands has been about the same as in the preceding year; if anything, a fraction less. This can be attributed to general business depression; also in part to the fluctuation of exchange. IMPORTS. For the last two years the customs of the Canaries have been farmed out to a syndicate consisting of the principal merchants in these islands, the terms of the contract being that the Spanish Government shall receive an annual payment of 1,002,000 pesetasequal, at present exchange, to $150, 300. This company does not furnish any particulars as to exports or imports, and I am therefore compelled to have the manifests on file in the custom-house copied. As these do not give the origin of the articles imported, the latter are recorded as having originated in the country from which they were shipped. There is direct communication between the Canary Islands and Liverpool, London, Antwerp, Marseilles, Genoa, Barcelona, and Cadiz. All goods arriving from these ports are entered at the custom-house as being imported from England, Germany, Italy, Belgium, France, or Spain, as the case may be, no matter what the actual country of origin. The following articles are really of American origin, though not so recorded: Lard, ham, tobacco (leaf and manufactured), flour, and No 275-03-1 485 cottons; also a large proportion of the canned goods, hardware, furniture, and perfumery imported. It is practically certain that a direct line of steamers between New York and the west coast of Africa, touching en route at the Canary Islands, would pay. Details are given in CONSULAR REPORTS No. 264 (September, 1902). It has since been pointed out that such a line could have a port of call in Morocco. Mogador, the principal port on that coast, is only thirty hours from these islands. Morocco being a new and developing field, it would be easier to gain and hold a market there than in places where competition is already severe. Without direct communication, commerce can not be successfully pushed, and, as long as we have to depend upon foreigners to do the carrying of our exports to this part of the world, our trade will remain of comparatively small importance. British and German firms have travelers here throughout the year. If American houses were to send representatives, the latter could advise when and how to ship; they could guard against delays in the delivery and could often insure the collection of drafts and promote our trade generally. During my stay here I have not seen a single American representative. Our goods get into this market by luck rather than by management. Coal. Teneriffe is chiefly used by passing steamers as a port of call for bunker purposes, and over 100 steamers a month put in with this object. Last year the business was not so good, showing a decrease of about 25,000 tons of coal. The difference is accounted for by the general depression of trade. Petroleum.-All the petroleum imported at Teneriffe during 1902 came from the United States, some direct and the balance trans shipped from Grand Canary in coasting vessels. Lumber. The United States sends nearly all the pitch pine used in the Canary Islands; Canada sends spruce, and Norway shooks for packing fruits. Of ten vessels bringing lumber here from the United States in 1902, only one was American. Tobacco. All leaf tobacco coming to the Canary Islands is of American origin, and the annual value is about $100,000; it is im. ported via Liverpool and Hamburg. Manufactured tobacco also comes from the United States, except cigars, which are imported from Habana, and cigarettes, which come from Habana, England, and Egypt. EXPORTS. The exports declared for the United States and Porto Rico for 1902 show a decrease, the falling off being in onions ($14,000) and potatoes ($8,000). This is due to improved crops in our country in that year. The principal articles of export from these islands are potatoes, tomatoes, and bananas; England provides the market for early fruits and vegetables. I annex a statement of exports declared for the United States, Porto Rico, and the Philippine Islands; also a statement showing the number of packages and value of fruit exported to England. To ascertain the total quantity exported from these islands, 10 per cent should be added to the above, this being about the proportion sent to other countries. Almonds, wines, and pumice stone are also exported, but the trade is insignificant. Drawn work, linen.-Of late this has developed into an important. local industry, and the product is exported to all parts of the world. English and German houses have special representatives resident here, and it is estimated that 5,000 women are employed and that last year articles to the value of $250,000 were exported. Sugar. The cultivation and refining of sugar has become one of the principal industries in the islands. A high duty-viz, 70 pesetas on 100 kilograms ($10.50 on 220 pounds)-is imposed on imported. sugar. It sells for from 104 to 120 pesetas ($15.60 to $18.00) per 100 kilograms, according to grade. EMIGRATION. In former years the emigration to Porto Rico and Cuba amounted to from 5,000 to 6,000 per year. This has recently fallen off, and during 1902 between 1,500 and 2,000 embarked. CUSTOMS DUTIES. Only a few articles pay duty in these islands, namely, sugar, liquors, spirits, tea, coffee, spices, and—a very low rate-tobacco. IMPROVEMENTS. The Belgian Electric Tramway Company has obtained a concession to extend its line towards Orotava as far as Tacaronte-6 miles. Work will be started immediately, and it is expected that the line. will be in operation by the end of this year. Work on the mole and breakwater is steadily advancing. The harbor works at La Palma are making rapid progress, and it is confidently expected that they will be completed within three years. A coaling station will then no doubt be established, and as La Palma is more in a direct line between ports of Europe and of South Africa, Australia, and South and Central America than any other point of the Canary Islands, it will no doubt get a share of the business which now goes to Teneriffe and Grand Canary. |