Page:1902 Encyclopædia Britannica - Volume 27 - CHI-ELD.pdf/35

 9 CHILE statistics] in theology, in law, and in mathematical and physical science. In State lands, £2,500,000 ; Talcahuano dock, £450,000 ; movable 1899 the national institute had 1168 pupils. There are in Chile property, £80,000—total, £18,180,000. The value of the real property held in 1896 by corporations was six clerical seminaries which receive a small government subvention. Three colleges for girls are maintained by the State, and many returned at 55,875,021 pesos (£4,190,630), and that held by schools for girls receive subventions. There are, besides, normal, private persons at 1,436,125,688 pesos (£107,709,430) — total, agricultural, technical, and commercial schools. The estimates 1,492,000,709 pesos (£111,900,060). The mortgages on private for 1898 provided a sum of £150,000 for higher and secondary estates amounted to 200,236,400 pesos (£15,018,730). In 1899, education. In 1899 there were in Chile 1403 public primary schools however, the price of land had fallen 30 or 40 per cent., so that the (435 for boys, 276 for girls, and 692 mixed), with 2299 teachers value of real estate in private ownership did not exceed 950,000,000' (748 male and 1551 female); the enrolled pupils numbered 115,535 pesos (£71,250,000), while the (56,278 boys and 59,257 girls), and the average attendance 70,607 mortgages Aad risen to (33,746 boys and 36,861 girls). The cost of primary instruction 215,000,000 pesos (at par was £156,000. There were also, in 1899, 445 private elementary £16,125,000). The total value schools (148 for boys, 50 for girls, and 247 mixed) with 26,294 of real property (exclusive of enrolled pupils (15,885 boys and 10,409 girls). Private schools government property) in 1899 devoted solely to popular education are assisted by the State. The may be put at about German colonies of Valdivia and Llanquihue have excellent schools. 1,000,000,000 pesos (£75,000,000 Grime. — The penal establishments of Chile, 87 in number at par, or about £63,000,000 at (including the two penitentiaries at Santiago and Talca), have been the current rate of exchange). under direct government administration since 1891. On 1st Defence.—The army of Chile, January 1900 they contained 7051 criminals (6219 men and 832 according to the law of 24th women). The total number of prisoners they received during the November 1897, must not exceed year 1899 was 34,429, of whom 28,037 were male and 6392 female. 9000 men. The strength for In 1899, 432 boys were sent to the two correctional schools. 1900 was fixed at 5885, with 913 Charity.—In Chile there are numerous charitable institutions officers. This force is organized supported by endowments, legacies, donations, subscriptions, and in 1 regiment (2 battalions) of government contributions. In 1897 State assistance was given to coast artillery, 5 regiments of 79 hospitals to the amount of £65,000 ; to two lunatic asylums to field artillery, 10 of infantry, 8 the amount of £18,400; and to other institutions, £17,015. In of cavalry, 1 corps of engineers Santiago in 1898 over £15,000 was spent in enlarging and improv- (4 companies), 2 corps of pening the hospitals, but in many of the provinces the distress and sioners, and the whole is distripoverty are very great, and the hospital accommodation is insuffi- buted among the four military zones into which Chile is divided. cient. Finance.—The ordinary revenue and expenditure of Chile in 1892 For the last ten years German drill instructors have been emand in the last four years were as follows (1 peso = 18d.):— ployed ; Mauser and Mannlicher Revenue. Expenditure. rifles are used, and the batteries have Krupp guns of the newest £ £ type. By law of 12th February 4,680,000 1892 4.567.500 1896 the National Guard con6,099,600 6,271,000 1896 sists of three branches — the 6,407,900 6,346,000 1897 active, comprising all citizens of 6,635,300 6.579.500 1898 20 and 21 years of age ; the pas6,475,450 6,059,500 1899 sive, all over 21 years of age who completed their service in The estimated revenue and expenditure for 1900 were as follows have the active; the sedentary, all (pesos at 18d.):— from 30 to 40 years of age who are married. The total number Revenue. Expenditure. in the National Guard is about £ Ordinary— Ordinary— £ 513,000, with 2400 officers. The 3,486,320 Interior Export duties 758,100 Territorial Guard, numbering 1,537,500 Finance Import duties 1,531,680 19,862, organized in 1896 to 937,500 War, marine Railways 1,450,870 defend the passes of the Andes, • 90,000 Railways 1,542,770 Posts, telegraphs was disbanded in 1898. In Chile 333,750 Justice, instruction 793,960 Various there are three military schools, Various 365,900 a military museum, a cartridge 6,385,070 Total factory, and other military estab1,525,830 Total Extraordinary 6.443.280 lishments. The navy in 1899 Extraordinary 1,125,000 consisted of 3 battleships, 7,910,900 Grand total launched respectively in 1890, Grand total 7.568.280 1874, and 1865 ; 2 armoured cruisers ; 2 second-class and 2 The export duties are levied mainly on nitrate and iodine. third-class cruisers ; 11 gunRecent additions to the external debt of Chile have been incurred vessels and gunboats ; 4 demainly for the satisfaction of claims arising out of the occupation stroyers, launched at Birkenhead of Peru, for railway construction, and other public works, and for in 1896, and all of a speed of the payment of floating and municipal debts. The internal debt more than 30 knots ; 15 firstconsists of municipal debts, annuities (“censos”), a 3 per cent, class and 4 second-class torpedo- B.V.DSr O.J.R.H Oxford igot debt, and the debt arising from the issue of notes under the boats. There are also training law of 7th July 1898, amounting to 46,691,400 pesos. There is and school ships, and craft for Sketch Map of Chile. due also a balance on treasury bills discounted in London. The special service. In order to redebt outstanding on 31st December 1899, and the debt charge were duce expenditure, several vessels were laid up in 1899. In 1898 as follows:— the navy had 368 commissioned and staff officers and 3794 warrant Capital. Charge. Description of Debt. officers and men. Naval schools were founded in 1893. A number £17,541,785 £965,405 External debt of steamers of the South American Steamboat Company are subvenInternal obligations— tioned and held at the disposal of the Government for transport 5,466,908 Amount, 72,892,118 pesos service. Charge, 1,343,485 ,, 100,261 Agriculture.—The region most favourable for agriculture extends Treasury bills, due in 1900 166,666 166,666 from Santiago to Concepcion, where large quantities of wheat are grown, and barley, maize, oats, and rye are also cultivated. Many Total . . . £23,175,359 £1,232,332 industrial plants prosper in this region, notably the sugar beet, To be set off against this debt is the value of government pro- flax, colza, sorghum, hops, and tobacco. The grape thrives well, perty, which (exclusive of government buildings) was estimated in and nearly 15,000 acres are planted with vines. South of the 1897 to amount to 371,290,258 pesos or £27,846,800 sterling. A agricultural region the climate is rainy, but the forest growth is more recent estimate, based on actual prices, puts the value as luxuriant, and a great timber traffic is carried on. Stock-raising follows in sterling: Nitrate fields, £3,000,000; guano deposits, has considerable importance in Chile, more especially the rearing £100,000 ; State railways, £12,000,000 ; State telegraphs, £50,000 ; of sheep, vicuna, and hogs. The country is estimated to contain S. III. — 2