New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-28

NOT so GREAT AS WAS FEARED-INcREAsED IN
rEREsT IN MN1NG-INDUsTRIEs
THAT SUFFERED.
Washington. May 27 (speciaD.-Native Industries
IN Spain did not suffer during the war of 1898 as
greatly as was feared. This is the statement OF
the British commercial attache at Madrid H. mar
rson. whose report to the British Government Oh
the trade of Spain for the year 1888 mas JUST
reached the Treasury Bureau Of STATISTICS. MI
Harrson's statement begins by saying:
In splte Of the war and consequent general ex.
element and heavy taxation, nauve MUS fea, ed
Spain have not suffered as greaty a al Td markets
on which the export trade OF spain greaty us
70 take serious steps for hndng new markets for
Spanish producte and for stimulating and enlarg-
ing ing those aS1G have been Instituted
A special suh-dcpartment in the Ministry OF Fon
snpplying commercial information and statistics
to merchants and tradesmen Morocco anu ne ne
most promising markets for Spanish products ow5 ;
ing to affinity of race language and custcSs aaS
10 these countries the attention OF the spanish
Government Is especially directed
STEPS TO INCREASE SPANISH INTEREST.
Commercial attaches have been appointed for
Mexico Brazil Uruguay the Argentine Republic
ard Chill and all possible steps are being taken
TO increase Spanish interest in these countries.
A general assembly Of the Spanish chambers OF
commerce was held at Saragossa on November :"
iaet
country. The meeting was held under the i nteI
orderly conditions. and It's EFFORTS were ,sed'a
good IMPRESSION In the country, and a petltl0h
embodying the opinions Of the chambers was GUY HE
presented to the Queen H r9s thc Fact that the
assembly has been held at all is proof OF me
general anxiety among large ana for the
Improvement OF trade al r,,o-
Increased interest is being taken In all MN
Ing questions In Spain. as 1t Is being reeoSlzedi
al last that. II properly developed; the mineral
wealth OF the country be turned to enormous
advantage. Although retarded at present o. tne
want of railways and the great distances OF some
and the conseguent cost Of carriage great devei
opment has taken place in the last two years IN
the mnng nd Erso anS 1aS amount OF
The number Of soldiers who have returned from
now feouired for the army will insure increased
number OF lahorers. The anxiety to open up new
viii II is hoped. cause the Spanish Government
to encourage In every way the investment Oh TOT
The great natural mineral wealth of Spain should
be taken into serious consideration by those min
Ing companies that have not AT present interests
In this country.
THE TOBACCO MONOPOLY.
The sole right OF sale and manufacture Of tobacco
In spain is held by the Bank Of Spain in the form
of a monopoly granted under royal decree OF June
10 1881 and extended for further twenty-five
years under the law Of August 90 1896. The Guilt
cation OF tobacco in Spain is forbidden by law.
oitboush Judging from the small quantities grown
in many gardens 1t appears that It might be made
an innortant Industry According to the resua-
lions The cultivation Of tobacco Il prohibited, both
in Spain and the Balearic Islands Inc t9Dacco
monopoly Is required TO make eHpef 1,sn, o re
OF Spain. These experiments are being carried our
;,u , mai the cultivation Of tobacco will be
allowed during the lease OF the present monopoly
Certain features OF the home industries. how
ever suffered especially those having close rela-
ons with the colonial trade. The Imports OF raw
cotton fell from OJ52 pesetas In 1897 TO i3sV9
In 1898 the decrease being due TO crisis In the
Spanish cotton factories. which had supplied so
large a share Of their production to the colonies
The export OF cotton goods from Spain fell more
than 100000 pesetas The loss In this market Tor
raw cotton OF course. fell upon the United states
which supplies practically all OF the cotton used
by spain That other features Of the import trade
were however affected Is shown by the fact that
the imports OF iron and steel fell from 2i65l.656
pesetas in 1877 to 1875 24 in 1898; drugs and cheml
49, s srRn from pe:e.as to itiassfs
t pese ta@t to f5si2s lumber from pssetas
TO 3iOi5,2I2 books, maps etc. from sOsO9Is to
p Ssstas a o S"a s.OS"s
machinery. from GA pesetas TO S955l.2s5 all
msnlary coree tea Wines. etc. from 1885 s5
pesetas to ss7ss.lO and wheat alone from 2iOi5,O2o
Of @ from .S cpGa T sss & 49,
Philippine iGsiso peaetas in 1856 iassaii in 1881
! The report from which the above figures were
! taken adds: '"rhere has been rapid Increase In
| the number End capacity OF sugar factories In
Spain and II is probable that the home Industries
| will soon be able TO meet the demand IN the Span
! ish market and replace the colonial sugar Imports
| OF coffee also show rapid decline"
| The more important features OF the above report
will be repubished in the forthcoming issue OF
''The Monthly Summary OF Commerce and FL
nance"
HOBSON SALUTED by PROXY
Hong Kong letter In The Chicago Record
II would seem that Lieutenant Hohson is taking
the sautes for which, equally with the Merrmac