Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-09-07
CONDITIONS IN ZANZIBAR
AN INTERESTING REPORT By VICE
CONSUL CHILDS.
Injurious Effect on Trade of the BOer
War-Faflure of CrOps-MOney
Paid to Aga Khan.

Vice Consul Chids at Zanzibar has made
an Interesting report to the State Depart
ment in regard to economic conditions In
that far-away country. While the trace
Of Zanzibar during the last twelve months
has been average" he says, ''it is remarka-
BILE for the fuctuating markets that have
occurred during that period. The year
started in brilliantly, owing to the piosperl-
ty resulting from the enormous Glove crop
of the preceding year and the money put
into circulation by the opening up of the
Uganda railway.
In October a turn for the worse came
The Boer war began and business was ham,
pered by the uncertainty usual at such
times. Censors prevented the use of private
codes. Telegraphing was not only very ex-
pensive, but most unsatisfactory. Rains
failed on the coast. Countries that used to
export grain became buyers at famine
rates. The Glove crop was the smallest for
many years, almost record.
Much Money Taken Away.
"In the midst of these hard times Aga
Khan, prince and spiritual head of the
Khoja community, the principal Indian mer-
chants Of Zanzibar arrived on a tour of
inspection and collection. he Khojas, who
are probably one Of the most faithful Of all
the faithful castles, prepared royalty for
his coming. They built houses. they i'm
ported horses, they had ready very
they could ill afford. Hundreds came from
the coast, but, instead 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.
Hardy rupee Of all this was left in Fan
zibar. 1t is estimated that the prince took
from Zanzibar no less than 100000 rupees
(about S20O.O0O).
lone item of export only has Increased,
viz, hides. This was directly owing to the
famine the coast. The cattle could not
be fed and died or were killed for their
hides. The greatest importer of Zanzibar
hides the United States
Zanzibar, from an economic standpoint,
Is an interesting study. 1t might be lkened
this halfway house of eastern Africa, to
the place where two tides meet. In the lack
Of current. scum of fiotsam and jetsam
remains India sends her plague refugees,
South Africa her war fugitives. The north
east monsoon brings dhow loads of passen-
gers from the Persian gulf that never seem
to realize the use OF the southwest mon
soon.
Trade of the Germans.
1.-The Germans, aided by their subsidized
freight lines and factories, are a great
power here; but after all their greatest
trade is in articles made in Germany an
expression, by the way, that is appreciated
as far inland Livingstone's tree.
France furnishes wines and articles de
luxe. England sends beer and spirits, and
also completes to great extent with the
Germans for the trade in printed goods,
being largely hampered, however, by a con-
servatism that tries to sell the native what
she has, rather than what he wants.
Americas largest trade is in kerosene
and gray sheetings and shirtings. OF kero-
sene, 100000 worth was imported last year;
of cotton goods $25O.0OO worth. 1t is in
teresting to note here the general satisfac-
ton that the American locomotives sent
out for the Uganda railway are giving.
Failing on I'm Ivory.
Ivory is undoubtedly decreasing. but the
finding of old boards and the fact that the
caravans push each year further inland
keep the supply up to the average. The
British and German authorities in their
spheres of influence are trying to preserve
the elephant by charging heavy gun license
fees and by prohibiting. under heavy penal
ties, the killing of immature and female
elephants. The largest pair of tusks ever
found were shot last year near Mount Kill
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.
1.-The Uganda railway progresses. 1t will
probably be completed in about three
years. Hitherto the only influence 1t 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 Mombasa. the port of
the railway, displace Zanzibar as the most
important port of East Africa. Whether
European enterprise can overcome native
prejudice and the prestige of centuries re-
mains to be seen. Zanzibar watches half
tnterestedly, half sleepily. Zanzibar's ex-
cuse for being was her Arab population.
The Arabs raison detre is the slave: the