The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1920-09-17
FRENCH COLONIES
CROPPING RICH
Unusual Progress in Development of
Commerce and Natural Resources
the Causes of Fine Increase.

New York. Sept. III nusual prog
ress in the development OF commerce
and natural resources in the French
colonial possessions and dependencies
has brought them wealth ranking next
to that of the British colonial empire,
according to a survey made public here
by the French commission. The French
colonies. with an estimated popula
tion of 50,500,000, have an area of
100000 square miles.
Total exports from the colonies in
1917. with the exception of Algeria and
Tunis, were valued at approximately
l,l0S,000,000 francs. Since 1914 ex-
ports in the various possessions in
creased from % to 100 per cent. The
increases are attributed TO the thrift
of natives following the wars ending
Total Algerian exports in 1919 were
more than .334 100000 francs. an in
crease of about $50 millions over 1918.
The report of Algiers alone handled ex-
ports approximating AS, l5S,000 francs,
an increase of 200,s22, 900 francs, ac-
eording to estimates Chief imports
were cotton, clothing and linen, skins,
ibdit sugar dHH ibiitts hfllti FApti Us
were wines, fruit, tobacco, wheat, oats,
barley and wool Amounts of imports
and exports were greatest in the or
der mentioned
National roads in Algeria have
length of 1910 miles, while 2,203 miles
of railway were open for traffic in
January, 1919.
Tunis, essentially an agricultural
country. had bumper grain crops in
1919. as follows: Wheat, 6.500,553
bushels harley, 5,42s,223 bushels
oats, s444.T22 bushels. The cork in
dustry is important, cork trees cover
ing more than 100000 acres. The an
nual mineral production averages in
value more than 30.000,000 francs.
The spring estimate Of 1920 har-
vest on the French zone Of Morocco val
ned the crops at l000000,000 francs.
and II was expected there would be
large surplus for export. the survey
states. Exports Ia France in 1918
were valued at S2.O62. $50 francs, the
imports at l55,224.S25 francs.
The French possession in India
consists Of FIVE separate colonies with
an aggregate area Of 900 miles Rice
sugar. cotton. cocoa coffee and ground
nuts are grown. The principal export I
from Poudicherry. the chief possession. |
is oil seeds.
French lndo-China has a population |
Of about 100000. The territory trib- !
utary to Saigon is almost entirely !
agricultural. being one Of the great 4
rfoa rro;o,g 80 H. ,,o.tI I'll. -.
erals are coal. Ignite. wolfram, tin and 4
zinc.
In the other possessions. including
Madagascar French Equatorial Africa.
French Somaliland and French West
Africa. which Is the largest of the colo
MES. commerce has almost doubled
'incc 1914. the survey saws. French
Vest Africa. comprised Of Senegal.
1aut Senegal Niger. French Guiana,
he Ivory Coast, Dahomev, the mill.
srv territory Of the Niger and Mature
ania. covers approximately $4,000
ouare mile. The general budget
mounts 90 about $4,000. 600. 900 francs
annually. The agricultural resources
ire most important The production
4 cotton is growing. while iute, agaya
md sisal are cultivated extensively.
rubber l. the most important product
n the forest resources Cattle raising
as increased. The mineral wealth i
Teat The commcrce Of this posses
ion increased 500 per cent since the
french administration was created in
Sa5.
The French colonies in America. con
isting ~ Guiana. Martinique. Guade-
Dupe and St. Pierre and Miguelon are
noted for their lumber
roducts. sugar, rum. cocoa and cod
N. Agriculture takes an important
ole in the smaller provinces. especial
p in New Caledonia. said to he one Of
he richest countries in the world.