cure the concessionary privileges outlined in my report of May 5,* the contract will probably be ratified by Congress without delay. Such a concession as is contemplated by the Atlas Company, involving, as it does, extraordinary monopolies and privileges, must be ratified by the Nicaraguan Congress in order to be final.

Trade in the Bay Islands.--Consul Johnston writes from Utilla, June 1, 1898:

There has been a decline in prices of both bananas and plantains, and a great many of both have been left to rot on the trees. On account of the steamship S. Otin, of New Orleans, going ashore on the northwest corner of the Island of Ruatan, on the 23d of May, there were lost 20,000 bunches of bananas. This involved not only the loss of the fruit, but the work of cutting and hauling to the coast for shipment. The whole loss will amount to $8,000 gold. The cocoanut trade is just beginning to open, and fair prices are being realized. by the producers. There are usually shipped from the Bay Islands and the coast in this vicinity more than 100,000 bunches of bananas a week, and of plantains (which are sold by the thousand, and not by the bunch) 50,000 a week. There are shipped from Bay Islands between 6,000,000 and 10,000,000 cocoanuts each year.

Notes from Paraguay.-Consul Ruffin writes from Asuncion, March 31, 1898:

The importation for last year (figures just obtainable) amounted to $2,203,359 gold. The exportation was $1,955,803; showing a difference of $247,556 in favor of the imports.

The plan to construct a telegraph to Villa Conception to connect with all the lines of the north is now being considered. The question of putting sewerage in the city and introducing running water is also discussed.

This Congress may ratify a new treaty of commerce with Brazil. I inclose copy of the President's last message to Congress.t

Depreciation of Spanish Currency in Morocco.-ConsulGeneral Partridge, of Tangier, informs the Department under date of May 31, 1898, that the Spanish currency, which circulates largely in Morocco, has much depreciated. There is also in use, says Mr. Partridge, Moorish silver coin, called Hassanee. French and English

*See ante, P. 530.

+ Referred to the Bureau of the American Republics.

money is also current. In January the exchange value was $1.35 Spanish for $1 American; May 1 the rate was $2 Spanish for $1 American. Owing to relief obtained by the Bank of Spain, the rate at the time of writing (May 31) was $1.60 Spanish for $1 American. The British post-office, continues the consul-general, as well as the Moorish customs authorities, refuse to accept Spanish currency. Hassanee coin formerly fluctuated with Spanish and was interchangeable at par, but is now at a premium of 10 to 20 per cent.

Textiles in Roubaix.-Commercial Agent Atwell writes from Roubaix, under date of May 5, 1898:

For the month ending April 30, the general situation of affairs at Roubaix and Tourcoing, while not as bad as during the corresponding period of last year, is far from giving satisfaction. The woolen spinning mills have been kept active, but the price of the manufactured goods is very low. Carded wools have been produced in large quantities, but with small profit. Combed wools have been active, this being the height of the season for this industry, and prices are firm. Wools have been somewhat in demand and prices firm on all grades. The cotton-spinning mills have worked full time to fill orders, but with small profit. The dyeing of yarns is normal.

Congress on Public Art in Belgium.-A note has been received from the Belgian legation, dated New York, June 13, 1898, calling attention to the first international congress on public art, which will meet at Brussels, September 24-28, 1898. Minister Lichtervelde says that he is instructed by the Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs to invite the Government of the United States to send delegates to this congress. Copies of a circular giving information as to subjects for discussion are inclosed, and the minister notes that eminent persons have consented to act as presidents and honorary members.

According to the circular, the programme will have three divisions-public art from the standpoint of law and regulations, from the social standpoint, and from the technical standpoint. Correspondence should be addressed: Congrès international de l'Art public, Secrétariat général, Hotel Ravenstein, Brussels.

Belgian-Japanese Patent Rights.-Consul Roosevelt writes from Brussels, May 3, 1898:

The official journal, the Moniteur Belge, publishes, April 21, 1898, a notice stating that an agreement has been reached by Belgium

and Japan, for the reciprocal protection of patents of invention, trade-marks, and designs. By virtue of this agreement, which was dated March 11, 1898, Belgian subjects in Japan and Japanese subjects in Belgium will reciprocally enjoy the same protection as other nations in regard to patents, trade-marks, and designs, by carrying out the conditions prescribed by the law of the respective States.

Conditions in the Yangtze Valley.-Under date of May 5, 1898, Consul Martin, of Chinkiang, reports that the Yangtze Valley, comprising the six provinces of Szechuan, Hupeh, Hunan, Kiangsi, Anhui, and Kiangsu, with a population of from 70,000,000 to 90,000,ooo, is in a very unsettled condition, owing to the political disturbances in China and to the new order, said to have emanated from the Imperial Government at Pekin, opening all the inland waters of the Empire to domestic and foreign steam navigation* and placing the likin stations (native customs) along the canals under the jurisdiction of the imperial maritime customs. These likin stations, continues the consul, have been controlled by the provincial officers, and the new order deprives the viceroys of much of their emolument, as well as thousands of local officials of daily sustenance. The result is general discontent, which in some cases has been communicated to the imperial authorities. The foreigners are believed by many to be responsible for the change, and there is much bitter feeling.

Scarcity of Cereals in China.-Consul Martin, of Chinkiang, under date of May 17, 1898, says:

I forward herewith a translated copy of a communication received from the superintendent of the customs at this port. This order means that there should be no export of cereals from Chinkiang to any other ports in China. This province is usually regarded as the garden of the Empire.

TAOTAL TO CONSUL MARTIN.

CHINKIANG, May 14, 1898.

SIR: I have the honor to inform you that I have received a letter of instruction from his excellency the viceroy of the Liang Kiang province, residing at Nankin, ordering me to prohibit the export of cereals from the port of Chinkiang, on account of the great scarcity of that commodity in this province.

I have, etc.,

+ See CONSULAR REPORTS No. 214 (July, 1898), p. 374.

CHANG HENG.

Japanese Bounties on Silk Exports Abrogated.-The Department is in receipt of a note from the Japanese legation, dated May 26, 1898, in regard to the passage by the Imperial Diet of a bill repealing the law granting a bounty on the export of certain classes of raw silk.* The act, says Minister Hoshi, has received the sanction of the Emperor, and was promulgated on May 26, 1898, to take immediate effect.

Trade-Marks in Hungary (Correction).-Consul Chester writes from Budapest, under date of June 17, 1898, to correct an error that appeared in the original report on trade-marks in Hungary, printed in CONSULAR REPORTS No. 214 (July, 1898), page 400. In the first article of the regulations relating to trade-marks, the abbreviation "kr.," referring to the price of the revenue stamps, was incorrectly expanded into "kroner." It should have read

"kreutzer."

Consular Reports Transmitted to Other Departments.-The following reports from consular officers (originals or copies) have been transmitted since the date of the last report to other Departments for publication or for other action thereon:

* See CONSULAR REPORTS NO. 202 (July, 1897), p. 424; No. 213 (June, 1898), p. 306.

FOREIGN REPORTS AND PUBLICATIONS.

Commerce of the Canary Islands. A report in the Moniteur Officiel du Commerce, Paris, March 31, 1898, reads as follows:

The commercial movement of the Canaries has progressed in the last ten years at the rate of from 2,000,000 to 3,000,000 pesetas ($386,000 to $579,000) a year. From 18,000,000 pesetas in 1888, imports rose to 43,000,000 pesetas in 1895. In these totals, however, the importation of coal is included; without coal, the total in 1895 was 17,494,356 pesetas ($3,376,411.)

The economic development of the Canaries depends solely on the number of boats stopping at the ports, which promotes a larger importation of coal and a more extended sale of meat, poultry, vegetables, fruits, wines, etc. The exportation of early fruits and vegetables has been of importance in the last six years. Cochineal formed at one time the sole wealth of the Canaries. In 1889, its exportation amounted to 20,000,000 pesetas ($3,860,000); since that time the quantity has greatly diminished.

The early fruits and vegetables from the Canaries are sent almost entirely to London and Liverpool. Tomatoes are exported in boxes of different sizes, delivered to the exporters at from 12 to 15 pesetas ($2.32 to $2.90) the quintal of 46 kilograms (101 pounds); at London, they sell for Is. the kilogram (24 cents per 2.2 pounds). As regards cultivation, the seeds are imported from England, sowed in the months of August and September, and transplanted a month later into well-irrigated land. About 9,300 plants can be put in a fanagada, or 1 acres. The fruit is large and highly flavored, the earliest ripening at the end of October, when the export trade commences. The potato crop is ready in December or January, and a quintal (220 pounds) sells in London for 14s. to 17s. ($3.36 to $4.08). Many landowners plant a second crop, which is ready for market in March or April. From October to May one can always count on two harvests, whatever may be the product cultivated. Both potatoes and tomatoes are remunerative. The banana, however, when it is of good quality, gives the greatest profit. The ground yields eighteen months after planting; one can count on 1,000 to 1,200 plants to the acre, and on 150 bananas to the plant, with two harvests a year. The bunches are sold for 3 to 5 pesetas (58 to 97 cents). The freight on tomatoes and potatoes is 15s. ($4.60) the ton for London or Liverpool; for bananas, 11⁄2s. to 2s. (36 to 48 cents) per bunch for London and 24 cents for Liverpool. Oranges are excellent and very abundant. but are not cultivated for export.

There are seven sugar refineries operated by steam in Grand Canary Island, one at Teneriffe, and two on the Island of Palma. Sugar cane yields most abundantly, and the industry is profitable, as the sugar enters Spain free of duty, while foreign sugars pay 40 per cent.

The vines produce well, and the wines, when made with care, rival the best known.

The Canaries are famous as a resort, from 2,000 to 3,000 visitors wintering in the islands.