Page:Statesman's Year-Book 1913.djvu/1090

 968

HAITI

ditm-e is for debt charges, 2,882,468 U.S. gold dollars (331,154 gourdes). For 5 years ending September 30, the revenue is given as follows (in U.S gold dollars for export duties and in paper gourdes worth at present about Is. 4fZ. — average last five years lOcl.)

U.S.

1

'< Currency gourdes

Gold dollars

1908-09

2,760,887

7,408,542

1909-10

2,694,107

6,684,656

1910-11

3,279,858

7,717,799

1911-12

3,957,227

8,227,315

1912-13

3,914,480

7,571,082

On March 31, 1912 the debt consisted of gold loans amounting to 23 168 612 gold dollars of foreign debt, and 1,194,087 gold dollars internal debt 'making a total of 24,382,699 gold dollars. The currency debt amounts to 15,514,812 dollars paper, including the paper and nickel money, and the floating debt.

Defence.

The army is at present actively undergoing a reform, and will consist of 5,000 trained troops. There is a special 'Guard of the Government,' num- bering^ 650 men, commanded by 10 generals, who also act as aides-de-camp to the President of the Republic. The Republic possesses a flotilla of four small vessels; which can raise steam with difficulty •.—17 Decemhrc ex- American cruiser, and cruiser, VEclaireur, Lc Norcl Alexis. A small second-hand yacht Vertieres has just been purchased in Europe.

Production and Commerce.

The industries of Haiti are mainly agricultural, and the most important product is coffee of excellent quality, but the export duty is so consider- able as to prevent the development of its cultivation. Cocoa is grown extensively and cotton is exported in increasing quantities. The cultivation of tobacco is extending, and a cigar and cigarette factory is successful. Sugar is extensively grown, and there are 4 sugar-making establishments. Rum and other spirits are distilled but not exported : the rum is of a superior quality. Logwood is an important product, and other valuable woods are now exported. Cattle breeding is neglected. The output of soap from local factories cannot compete with imports from the United

States.

Haiti possesses considerable mineral resources quite undeveloped. Gold, silver, copper, iron, antimony, tin, sulphur, coal, kaolin, nickel, gypsum, limestone and porphyry are found but are little worked. Some effort has been made to work copper mines in the last few years, and concessions have been granted for mining coal, iron, and copper.

Imports and Exports for 2 years :—

Imports

1910 1911

Dollars

7,681,746 7,948,117

Exports

Dollars 7,948,117 7,682,000