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 the crisis that arose at the beginning of the war. According to the estimates of the Commission appointed to relieve the situation, there were in Tarapacd over 113,000 people practi- cally all deriving their support directly from the nitrate in- dustry. The nitrate oficinas accounted for 53,154, taking only the laborers and the women and children dependent on them. The pampa towns, some of which are absolutely dependent on the industry and were at once depopulated, contained about 20,000. The ports added 45,000 for Iquique and 5060 for Caleta Buena, Junin, and Pisagua. By the beginning of September, 1914, half the oficinas had been closed down, and their laborers thrown out of employment. Towards the end of October the Government had assisted 22,046 to depart by the port of Iquique and 676 from Pisagua. By 1917 con- ditions were restored to normal.