The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-09-06

Harris R. Childs. Vice Consul at Fan
sibar. has sent to the State Department
the following interesting review of recent
trade and economic conditions in that
country:
While the trade of Zanzibar during
the last twelve mouths has been average,
ii is remarkable for the fIuctuating mar
kets that have occurred during that Pc
Rod
The year started brilliantly, owing to
the prosperity resulting from the enor
nous Glove crop OF the preceding year
and the money put into circulation by the
opening up of the Uganda Railway.
In October turn fer the worse came.
The Boer war began and business vas
hampered by the uncertainty usual at
such times. Censors prevented the use
of private codes. TeIegraphing was not
only very expensive but most unsatis-
factory.
Rains failed en- the coast. Countries
that used to export grain became buyers
at famine rates. The Glove crop was the
smallest Ter many years, almost record.
1t was only 6, 500, Geo pounds, as aga nst
q 00O coo pounds for The year before
In the midst of these hard time Aga
Khan, prince and spiritual head Of the
Khoja community, the principal Indian
merchants of Zanzibar, arrived on a
tour of inspection and collection. The
KhOjas, who are probably one OF the
most faithful OF all The Faithful castles,
prepared royalty fer his coming. They
built houses, they imported horses, they
had ready a very worthy retinue, all of
which cost money they could i'll afford.
Hundreds came from the coast, but, in
stead of this having the effect upon trade
that a large European gathering Of that
kind has, it was quite the contrary. The
Indians took their holiday in worshiping
and paying tribute. Women threw their
jewels at his feet; men wronged their
creditors and gave the money to him.
Hardly Il rupee Of all this left in
Zanzibar. 1t is estimated that the prince
took from Zanzibar no less than 100000
rupees (about $500. O00)
''One item Of export only has increased,
namely. hides. This was directly owing TO
the famine on the coast. The cattle could
not be fed and died or were killed for
their hides. The greatest importer of
Zanzibar hides was the United States.
Zanzibar, from an economic stand
point, is an interesting study II might
be likened. this halfway house of east
eTn Africa, to the place where two tides
meet. In the lack Of current. a scum OF
fotsam and jetsam remains. India sends
SENDS her plague refugees. South Africa
her war fugitiyes. The northeast mon
soon brings down loads Of passengers
from the Persian Gulf that never seem TO
realize the use OF the southwest mon
soon.
''The Germans. aided by their subsidized
freight lines and factories, are d great
power here; but after all theiI greatest
trade IS in articles Made in Germany,
ciated as tar inland as Liviugstone's tree.
France furnishes wines ara articles de
luxe. England sends beer and spirits. and
also completes 10 gIsat extent with the
Germans for the trade IN printed goods
being largely haInPered however. By a
conservatism that tries TO sell the native
Wh2t she has, rather than what he wants.
Americas largest trade is in kerosene
and grey shcetings and shirtings OF kero-
sene. SI00. GOO worth was imported last
year; of cotton goods, $3.50 0G0 worth. 1t
Is interesting to note here the general sat
isfaction that the American locomotives
sent out for the Uganda Railway are CIV
ing.
The general list of exports to different
parts OF the world is published at the end
of the calendar year only, and at the pres
ent time no figures can be given Declar-
ed exports to the United States for the Ms
cal year just ended are as follows:
'AmbeTgris. 1925; calfskins sIE446.5S;
cowhides, sos, 1866; chiIes. $40. $685.:
cloves, $40. 0e6.2T: goatskins, SOS. S53 SO:
gum animi. $f7.130.92 and ivory. $179.-
030.26.
Ivory is undoubtedly decreasing but
the finding Of old boards and the fact that
the caravans push each year farther in
land keeps the supply up to the average
The British and German authorities in
their sphere Of influence are trying to pre-
serve the elephant by charging heavy gun
license fees and by prohibiting under
heavy penalties the killing of immature
and female elephants. The largest pair of
tusks ever found were shot last year near
Mount Kilimanjaro. They weighed. re-
speetively, 224 and 239 pounds They were
of the finest quality Of ivory and without
disease or flaw of any kind. They were
sent to the United States.
The Uganda Railway progresses. 1t
VIII probably be completed in about three
years. Hitherto, the only influence it has
had upon trade is through the number of
coolies engaged in construction and the
supplies necessary for their maintenance.
1T is evidently the aim OF the British
Government TO make Nombasa. the port of
the railway, displace Zanzibar as the most
important port of East Africa. Whether