The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-03-27

1898 to $2,509, 900 in 1902. It has also mines of iron, silver copper, coal, etc. The greater part of the gold is ex- ported to Japan. Iron, although pre7 sent in large quantities, can hardly be said to be exploited. As a matter of fact, iron used in Japanese foundries comes from China. Coal of medium quality Is equally abundant, but 1t is hardly exploited. Copper is extracted in several districts. During the last tw years 564.433 pounds, valued at $5l,044, were mined.
 It Is stated in the Morning Journal that the southern portion of Corea be- longs to the crown and that is is neces- sary to have a special authorization to develop it. A request for such a con- cession should be presented through the diplomatic representative of the country of which the petitioner is resident. As rule these requests are denied, owing to the Corean's dislike of foreigners. and there are many diff ficulties to be surmounted before work can be begun.
 During the three months ended Dec ember S1. 1903. s47 cases (s,470 gallons) of kerosene were imported into Liberia, of which England supplied 23 per cent. Germany 45 per cent and other coun- tries 32 per cent This kerosene is imported in cases containing two tins of five gallons each. It fs retailed here at $3 a case, or 30 cents a gallon. The consumption is far less than it would be but for the prices fixed by Liberlan merchants. which place 1t beyond the buying power of the poorer classes. No doubt the profits are large. but they would be larger if the prices were re- duced so that the oil could have a wider market. The dominant spirit of west African commerce, I am sorry to say does not appear to aim at a fair exchange of products, value for value Everybody sells as though each sale were to be his last.
 N No doubt the appearances of the United States as a competitor for the trade of west Africa will not be delayed much longer. This country will be a field of operation for the great econo- mic movements of the future. With superior goods and superior methods the United States would be a formid- able rival of those who now control the trade.-George w. Ellis. Jr.. charge d affaires, Monrovia Liberia.
 According to official figures recently published in the Journal Official the excess of births over deaths in 1903 "No 'osAVVb III ISuGS oo,Stfs UT OfbuOV III two years, which. added to the popu- lation as determined in 1901. SS. 1861, ,945, makes the number of inhabitants of France in 1903. 39.11S.995. There were 2S6712 births in 1903. against S45,37S in 1902. decrease of 1S.666, and a de- crease of 24.332 as compared with the average birth rate of the last ten years. The number of deaths in 1903 was 753.- s06. a decrease of 1928 as compared with 1902 and a decrease of 54,7sS in comparison with the average for the last ten years. @
 The number of marriages recorded in 1903 was 295.996. an increase of l. 210 as compared with 1902. and 4.1l9 in comparison with the last decenniaI average The number of divorces is steadily increasing, being S,919, or 4ss more than in 1902. and 1.75S more than the average for the last ten years.
 The increase in the population is not due to larger birth rate. for the num- Der of births in 1903 was the smallest in the last ten years. but to a deereasa