Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1920-09-17
FRENCH COLONIAL
POSSESSIONS ARE
MAKING PROGRESS

New York, Sept. 17.-Unusual
progress in the development of COM
nserce and natural in the
French colonial possessions and de-
Tendencies has brought them wealth
ranking next to that Of the British
colonial empire, according to a SUR
vey made public here by the French
commission. The French colonies,
with an estimated population of 5o,-
500, 600, have an area Of 1000, 900 .
square miles.
Total exports from the colonies in
1917, with the exception Of Algeria
and Tunis were valued at approx.
mately 1,108, 600, 900 francs. Since
1914 exports in the various posses
sions increased from rs to 100 per
cent. The increases are attributed to
the thrift Of natives following the
wars ending.
more than 1894 900, 900 francs an in
1918. The port Of Aigiers alone
handled exports approximating 4T5.-
$4,000 francs, an increase of ZOO
mates. Chief imports were cotton.
clothing and linen, skins, coal, sugar
and coffee. Chief exports were wines,
fruit, tobacco. wheat, oats, barley and
wool. Amounts Of imports and x
ports were greatest in the order men
toned.
National roads IN Algeria have q
length of 1910 miles, while 2,205
miles of railway were 0pe for traf-
fc in January 1919.
Tunis. essentially an agricultural
country had bumper grain Q in
bushels; barley. ~5,42s,22s bushels:
oats. ~3,444,722 bushels. The cork in
dustry is important, cork trees cover
ing more than 100000 acres. The
annual mineral production averages
in value more than 100000
francs. '" "
The spring estimate Of 800 har-
vest on the French zone of Morocco
francs, and it was expected there
would be a large surplus for export,
the survey states. Exports to France
in 1918 were valued at 82,062,SSo
francs, the imports at ~155,224.925
francs.
The French possession In Indla
consists of five separate colonies with
an aggregate area of 1850 square
miles. Rice. sugar, cotton, cocoa,
coffee and ground nuts are crown.
The principal export from Pondi,
cherry, the chief possession, is oil
French 1ndo-china has a popula-
ton of, about II, 900, 900. The terri
tory tributary to Saigon is almost en-
tirely agricultural, being one of the
great rice regions of the world. The
minerals are coal, Ignite, wolfram,
tin and zinc.
In the other possessions Including
Madagascar, French Equatorial Afri-
ca, French Somalirand and French
West Africa, which is the largest of
the colonies. a almost
doubled since 1914. the survey says:
French West Africa. comprised of
Senegal, Neutrality-suspicious.. French
Guinea, the Ivory Coast, .Dahomey.
the military territory Of the Niger
and M~auretania, covers approximate
ly $4,000 square miles. The gen
eral budget amounts to about 25,-
0OO, 00O, 900 francs annually. me
agricultural are most
portant. The production of. cotton IS
growing, while jute. agava and sisal
are cultivated extensively. Rubber IS
Z the most important product In the
forest resources. Cattle raising has
increased. The mineral wealth is
great. The commerce Of this possess
sion increased 500 per cent since the
French administration was created$in
1895.
The French colonies in America,
consisting of Guiana. Martinique,
Guadeloupe and st. Pierre and Mt
uuelon are principally noted for their
lumber products. sugar, rum, cocoa
and Goldfish. Agriculture takes an
important role in the smaller prov
inces, especially in New CALEDONIA,
said to be one of the richest coun-
tries in the world.