The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-13

and an eventual extension TO Bassorah. 1t
is reported that an agreement amounting
to consolidation has been arranged be-
tween This German company ana the
French company owning the line from
SMYRNA to Kasssba and Alum h2rahlssar'
capitalized at $50. COO and 1T Is pro-
posed to sell 20 per cent OF the shares ID
Ottoman firms. and call the remodeled en-
terprise The Imperial Ottoman Rsilroad
Company of His Majesty the sultan
Abdul Hamid H. in order TO avoid for
eign complications with the promoters Of
other projects. commission OF engineers,
under the presidency of the German con-
sui general at Constantinople, is now
visiting the country to perfec; the plans
Russia is not Indifferent TO these gil
gantic schemes for opening up a country
which was once the granary OF the world.
schemes which, if realized. would mean
spheres of influence, quick route to
India and the East. competing with the
Suez Canal. and wheat at Constantnoqie
to rival the American and Russian
products.
"Bank.-A branch office Of the Imperial
Ottoman Bank has been established at
Sivas Mr.. NJ. Hanemogiou director, p.
Christodouidis sub-director. 1t does a
general banking business. in addition TO
receiving Government revenues and the
money payable TO the Russian war in
lemnity The establishment OF this talk
should have favorable effect upon local
and foreign commerce. 1, may be Of ad-
vantage also TO the considerable number Of
Armenians who reside in the United
States and are in the habit of sending
their earnings TO their dependent re.ativ, s
in this country. ys T.
"A company is being formed at Constan-
tinople to carry on a wpOl-spinning mill at
Sivas If established il will be the first
important manufacturing enterprise. e&-
cept -four mills ATTEMPTED in this prov
ince for many years. J small siik-weav-
ing establishment was started last year
at Sivas and though worked in primitive
way and with little capital. l am told 1t
has proved moderately profitable. con-
siderable number Of young mulberry trees
have been set out. and is 1t hoped that
silk culture will be considerably increased
Raw silk pays tax OF 10 per cent.
Opportunities for business.
las stated above, cotton cloth and sew
ing machines are the only United States
products sold here at present. Tools,
clocks, watches. paper, ready made shoes,
and leather might be brought from Amer
lea If they were cheap and il freights were
low enough to compete with Europe.
THE establishment. through the efforts
of the United States Consul General. OF
direct steamship line between New York
and Constantinople by Messrs Barber q
Co. of New York. should have some ia
yorable influence upon the trade of this
consular district. But although they issue
through bills of lading from New York to
Samsoun. with trans shipment at Constan-
tinope, it is not probable that very con-
siderable commerce will be built up be-
tween the United States and this district
until there are American vessels coming
to Samsonn. The importation of American
-four to Constantinople by this line has
affected the local grain merchants by
checking the expectation of wheat from
the sivas province TO Constantinople.
"The question of fuel is one which will
ere long be serious. The forests here are
fast being destroyed root and branch. and
no new ones ara planted or allowed to