Congressional Serial Set

Value of exports declared for the United States at the several consular offices in Italy during the year ended June 30, 1898-Continued.

From an American standpoint, the trade statistics of Malta for the year of 1897, which for several months past have been in process of compilation and which have just been given out by the Government officers, must be regarded as disappointing in completeness and detail. The principal articles of import upon which duty is assessed comprise beer, cattle, sheep, horses, mules, grain, olive and cotton-seed oil, potatoes, pulse, seeds, spirits, vinegar, and wine. An interesting as well as pertinent question that should be answered by such a report as this would be, "What proportion of goods landed at Malta were of American production?" In answer, I would say that inasmuch as such a question could be based only upon Government statistics, and the methods of compilation in vogue at Malta do not provide for the value, amount, or nature of goods landed that are not subject to duty, it is utterly impossible to give a satisfactory reply. Nevertheless, it is without doubt true that large amounts of goods of American origin are landed and consumed at Malta, but being brought here by way of other ports and being credited to the last port of transshipment, another obstacle arises. There is no export duty, and the returns include, to a great extent, only articles subject to import duty which are brought and carried away in the same bottoms, or from bond, or which were transshipped. In fact, in that section of the report relating to exports much space is taken up with the value, amount, and nature of goods which have often never been landed. Again, there is no special entry for home consumption. The total value of the imports of the colony upon which duties were assessed, and which were actually landed at this port during the year 1897, amounted to $4,404,211.69. Of this amount, the United Kingdom contributed goods to the value of $732,276.85. From Russia came goods valued at $1,320,288.81, while Italy contributed to the value of $1,026,914.23. Other countries were represented by amounts as follows: Austria, $242,211.22; Turkey, $233,621.19; France, $217,041.03; Barbary, $191,219.38; Greece, $174,527.28. The following table shows the quantities, in English

weight or measure, of articles imported during the year. The English quarter, it will be remembered, is equal to 8 American bushels, and it is necessary to add one-fifth the amount in order to change to American gallons:

In point of value, grain heads the list, 124,528 quarters having been landed, at a value of $1,208,025.89, of which Russia sent 111,423 quarters. The United Kingdom followed with 1,010 quarters. In manufactured grain products France led with a total value amounting to $192,981.05; the United Kingdom was second with a contribution amounting to $168,838.35. Of wine, 2,912,928 gallons, valued at $728,884.90, were landed, Italy sending to the value of $536,166.63, and the United Kingdom $8,847.29, while a large proportion was placed in bond.

Out of 929,907 gallons of beer, valued at $369,260.28, the United Kingdom's share was valued at $365,104.29. The United Kingdom provided all of the preserved beef and mutton. It is safe to say that the greater part of this came originally from the United States. Live cattle and sheep were landed mostly from Austria, Russia, Turkey, Barbary, and Morocco, in varying amounts.

Of the 104,351 gallons of cotton-seed oil landed, the United Kingdom sent more than one-half. American origin may be seen in this import, also. The remaining portion came from Austria, France, Italy, and Turkey.

Had Malta direct communication with the United States,' there would soon be a great increase in the use of American goods. Especially is this true as regards frozen and preserved meats, flour, canned

1 Proceeded in the same bottom.

Since this report was written arrangements have been made to establish direct communication. See Advance Sheets 361, Feb. 28, 1899.

fruits and vegetables, etc. American canned goods are very popular here, and I think, from personal observation, that the demand for them is increasing. Merchants often speak of the advantages that would acrue from direct communication with the United States, but seem to wait for some one else to take the initiative toward procuring it. From the present outlook, if Malta again secures it, it will be due to the efforts of others. Owing to the fact that imports of petroleum, which come under the head of free goods, but which are subject to certain Government supervision, are tabulated, I am able to state that 27,492 cases were received from the United States and 8,727 cases from Russia. Of this total amount of 63,320 cases, 5,044 cases were exported, 12,604 cases were consumed, and 44,672 cases remained on hand in storage December 31, 1897. In this year, 1,561,512 gallons in bulk were imported from Russia, in addition to the amount given above.

The total receipts from customs duties for the year amounted to $840,481.54, showing a slight falling off from the previous year. There are no means of ascertaining what quantities of articles of island production were exported, but at all events, the amount was small.

In reviewing the trade conditions for the year 1897, the secretary of the Malta Chamber of Commerce says:

The general conditions of our trade continue to be less prosperous than they have been for several years back. The figures relating to articles subject to duty, as far as importations are concerned, also as regards local goods exported, show that in many cases the average of the previous fifteen years has not been reached. On certain articles improvement may be seen, but in general the figures have been against us.

For its size, Malta is a great bread consumer, and while doubtless much American flour is used, coming by way of the United Kingdom, I see no reason why, with a little enterprise on the part of American merchants, much more should not be used. At the present time, Russia is our greatest competitor as regards grain. While upon this subject, the following letter, received by me recently, will perhaps be of interest:

JOHN H. GROUT, Jr.,

United States Consul, Malta.

34 STRADA REALE, Valletta, August 14, 1898.

DEAR SIR: In view of the proposed call at this island of the line of steamers which it is intended to run between America and India, I have been considering the advisability of importing direct from America wheat flour, as at present none is so imported from that country; in fact, for the last few years it has not been quoted on the local brokers' list. This is surprising, considering that America is one of the principal wheat-producing countries of the world. At present, it is imported from England, France, and Russia, chiefly, however, from England. I may add that the demand is steadily increasing. The total imports for the last two years were of about 89,709 hundredweight each year, one-half of which came from England.

Now, taking into consideration the fact that England imports the greater part of her wheat and flour from America, and assuming that the quality brought here as English is really American, it could, if sent direct here, eliminating thus the profits and expenses made on it in England, be offered at lower prices than the English imports. I may add that I have been informed on good authority that such American flour as was imported here direct did not meet with favor, because it did not make such good or white bread as the English and French brands; still, I believe that the American millers could easily prepare a quality to suit this market, if they deemed it worth while to compete here. In bringing this matter to your notice, it is my desire to be placed in communication with any firm that would wish to extend its operations to this island, and in requesting you to put forward my name I beg to assure you that I shall place myself at the disposal of that firm which may intrust me with its confidence.

I am, yours respectfully,

JOHN CRITIEN.

The calling of steamers at Malta, bound directly to the United States, mentioned in the above letter, I might state, has not yet been settled," but from latest advices seems to depend upon the action of our merchants in opening up the Malta market and patronizing the line, which, if given sufficient assurance, will cause its ships to stop here. In previous reports, I have dilated upon the new line and have pointed out the advantages to be derived, so that it seems unnecessary for me to go over the same ground twice.

Recently, American bicycles have appeared upon the market. They are very favorably regarded and I expect to see them soon take the lead here. There is a short railway line on the island which is run by the local government. Often, advertisements for bids for furnishing supplies appear in local papers, but the time between the appearance of the advertisements and the opening of the bids being short, I do not have the opportunity of notifying our manufacturers so that they may enter their proposals. I would suggest that it would be well to send illustrated catalogues and price lists to the chief secretary of government. Malta uses very little machinery. Some time ago, pumping machinery was needed for public works, and after testing various makes it was decided to obtain some of American manufacture. It is pleasing to add that this machinery has given the best of satisfaction. Malta is not a large place, the population being but about 177,745, and great fortunes may not be made here by our exporters; but I am firmly convinced that there is an excellent opportunity for the introduction of certain lines of our goods, and that it would prove at least a factor in general trade.

NAVIGATION.

The following tables show the movements of vessels at the port of Valetta, from January 1 to December 31, 1897: