New-York tribune., 1906-12-10
TRADE AND FINANCE ABROAD.

The negotiations relative to land concessions to
Americans in the Congo and TO the grant made by
King Leopold 10 the Belgian nation have called
attention TO the ivory trade. important one in
that region OF South Africa. Elephants were nu-
merous IN the Congo jungles some years ago. The
ivory industry in the last few years has assumed
such proportions that imports to the European
markets advanced from 1000 kilogrammes in 1888 TO
more than 10000 kilogrammes in 1904 1t is easy to
foresee, consequently, that within certain time
the stock OF ivory will keep decreasing, because
or the large battues organized in Africa against
the elephant. One proof Of gradual extinction In
the Belgian, Portuguese and French Congoes,
we'll as in certain regions OF Central Africa and
the White Nile. is furnished by the progressive
reduction IN weight of the elephant tusks brought
from those lands to foreign markets. Thus, while
in 1889 the average weight OF ivory given by an
African elephants head about thirty pounds.
1t decreased to sixteen pounds IN 1895 This enor-
reduction shows clearly what harvest OF
young victims is made IN Africa, especially by
ihe hands Of European hunters The governments
which have practically divided among themselves
the vast regions Of the Congo have tried to stop
this excessive and injurious hunting. King Leopold
has raised the price OF permit to hunt the ele-
phant to 800 francs year. But this is counter
acted by widespread poachng-easily done in such
immense territories. notably by the Negroes who
want ready cash to pay the taxes imposed upon
them. and who get It mainly by the sale of ele-
phants tusks. In the French Congo the Governor
any tusks weighing less than four pounds More
over, II was ordered that from January l, 1906,
IVORY should not be received any longer IN pay
ment Of native or other taxes. The British. more
expert IN colonial matters have marked out in So
mainland zone OF protection of 100 miles long by
so wide, inside OF which elephants cannot be hunt
ed, except under certain restrictions and in n
other reserve of 60 square miles hunting is abso-
Iutely forbidden.
The development OF the natural resources OF Bra
I'll is watched closely since the meeting at
Rio Janeiro Of the third Pan-American Conference.
The port of Para in tho northern part Of the repub
IA is e
mercal and shipping facilities. The Brazilian gov
cent to the society charged with the work Of con-
struction and enlargement of the port of Para.
The guaranteed interest will be paid from taxa
ton imposed the import duties Of the port. These
duties amounted nearly 100000 in 1902 and they
reached more than s2O00oO00 in 1895, The city is
situated on the Para River. an afiuent OF the
The ships anchor three four miles of shore, and
their cargoes have to be carried in lighters against
currents which causes heavy expense and consider
able delay
The cable dispatches reporting that in France
TO be increased are proofs OF the influence exer-
councillors OF foreign trade Their first raeeting
was held recently. under the presidency Of JACQUES
Siegfried, and attended by all the members
among whom were many French producers Of olive
OIL who are naturally opposed to the maintenance
Of light duties on American oil. lie Journal OF
cilors Of foreign commerce" founded eight years
ago. by Henry Boucher, then Minister or Conn
merce. It's Importance and utility have been dem
onstrated and appreciated by French interests.