them places in good business houses in my consular district, which embraces the States of Zulia, Falcon, and the Andes. I can also include the eastern part of Colombia, as Maracaibo is the key to that section of the neighboring Republic. I would use my influence to place them in good business houses in the different commercial centers. I believe I could place one young man in Coro, one in Tovar, one in San Christobal, one in Merida, one in Valera, one in Trujillo, two to three in Maracaibo, two in Cucuta, and one in Bucaramanga. These last two places are in Colombia. It is not my opinion that they should remain the entire time at the same place, but interchange, so as to learn as much as possible of this wide territory and its resources, and also to have the benefit of different climates. Tovar, Merida, Trujillo, and San Cristobal are situated in the most lovely, healthy climate of the world, in the Cordilleras, while Cucuta and Maracaibo are hot and are considered very unhealthy. The consular agents in my district are all men of high standing and commercial influence. They will, no doubt, cooperate with me. I would be pleased to see my idea on the subject given a large circulation. MARACAIBO, April 8, 1898. E. H. PLUMACHER, Consul. UNITED STATES TRADE WITH MALTA. Trade between Malta and the United States is, I am sorry to say, very limited. At the present time there are but few lines of our goods to be bought here. For the past few weeks I have been making an investigation and find that the people here like American goods, and would patronize us more were it not for lack of direct communication with our country. Years ago, in the time of sailing vessels, the Maltese business men dealt with us quite extensively. Now, American goods consumed here are transshipped through English agents, causing additional expense to the Maltese buyers. Therefore, when a firm here wants a certain line of goods it gives the preference to that of English manufacture. With direct communication between Malta and the United States, there is a good opening for American goods of almost every line, except possibly machinery, there being no factories here of any kind. On the other hand, I believe that Maltese goods, such as lace, which is made quite extensively by the women of these islands and sent to England, France, and Germany, bitter orange peel, squill plant, and several other articles used for medicinal purposes, would find a market in the United States. Again, the soil of Malta produces two crops per year. Early onions and potatoes have been raised to a limited extent and shipped to England. Labor here is cheap; the produce merchant is able to load a vessel with his goods and, at reasonable rates of freight, place them in our markets at almost our lowest quotations and make a good profit. The onions raised here are similar to those from Bermuda, but will keep longer, and are usually packed in coarsely woven baskets holding 140 pounds each. The potatoes are of a superior quality, and would be acceptable in any market. The laboring classes of Malta need but little encouragement, and if a market in the United States were opened by means of direct communication, the production would be much increased. In CONSULAR REPORTS No. 210 (March, 1898), I read a report written by the consul-general at Calcutta, to the effect that a new line of steamers has just been formed by capitalists to run between Bombay, Calcutta, and New York. If this is true, it means that those steamers will pass Malta en route to the United States, and I see a chance for an increase of trade. I believe, with the consul-general quoted, that the attention of our merchants should be called to this very important matter. Full information as to future plans can doubtless be obtained from Norton & Sons, of New York, the agents of the line. I shall be pleased to give all information possible relative to the market for American goods here, prices, and names of leading business men. I have to-day interviewed one of the chief shipping agents in regard to the new line, and he thinks with me that it would be a good opening not only for the people here, but for the merchants of the United States. Many of those who read this report will be desirous of learning the prices of certain lines of goods here. To quote all would take up much space, and in the prices which I give below I will confine myself to articles of actual necessity, being, as above stated, pleased to give information as to other lines whenever requested. The above retail prices present a fair average, and are to be considered as prevailing at Malta. It will be seen that many lines of manufacture in the United States are represented, and the prices given will enable those desirous of securing an increase of foreign trade to judge whether they can do so in this market. The population of Malta, according to the last census, was 176,314, including the garrison numbering (men, woman, and children) 12,533. JOHN H. GROUT, Jr., MALTA, April 5, 1898. Consul. UNITED STATES CLOCKS AT MALTA. There is no good reason why Malta should not be a purchaser of the cheaper grades of American clocks. At the present time most of the clocks received here are of English, French, or German make, the latter predominating. Very few would retail for more than $10 in the United States, as there is no demand for expensive goods. The demand for clocks is steady, those required being of the metalalarm variety and small wooden ones. A very few of the American make known as "Peep O' Day" are to be found, and they are valued more than any other make. Clocks of German make resembling them are sold quite extensively, but are not as reliable as timekeepers. This fact is known by the dealers. One of them tells me that he would prefer to sell American clocks, but that he is not acquainted with American houses, and also does not know the addresses of European agents handling our goods. For this reason he deals in German articles. There are many houses here dealing in clocks, and if American manufacturers will take the trouble to send illustrated price lists to the addresses which I give below, I believe it will lead to the establishment of a good trade. Owing to indirect communication, I would suggest that manufacturers taking advantage of the above hint should print on their price lists the addresses of their European agents, so that the Maltese buyer may know whom to order through. Among the prominent houses at Malta dealing in clocks are: Francis Meli, 50 Strada Reale; Joseph Zorzy & Son, 257 Strada Reale; P. Zammit, 149 Strada Sta. Lucia; R. Farrugia, 37 Strada Tesoreria. MALTA, April 7, 1898. JOHN H. GROUT, Jr., UNITED STATES TRADE WITH BOHEMIA. The declared value of exports to the United States from this district in Bohemia, as shown by the records for the quarter ended March 31, 1898, amounted to $352,535, as against $407,483.69 for the quarter ended December 31, 1897, a falling off of $54,948.69. Attached hereto is a table of exports to the United States showing the differences in declared valuations between the quarters ended March 31, 1898, and December 31, 1897, and the values of each item exported from this district during the two periods: From this table, the principal cause for this decrease in exportation will readily be seen to be in the articles of wool, hops, potash, and dress goods, clearly showing that our tariff works to the benefit of the American producer and home industries. |