Page:Statesman's Year-Book 1913.djvu/1266

 1144

PERU

Under the treaty of 1850 there is reciprocal freedom of commerce and navigation between the United Kingdom and Peru.

Total trade between Peru and United Kingdom in thousands of pounds for 5 years : —

Imports from Peru to United Kingdom Exports to Peru to United Kingdom.

1908

1909

1910

1911

&

2,930 1,337

& 3,042 1,330

3,688 1,315

£ 3,150 1,392

1912

&

3,298 1,414

Shipping and Navigation.

At Callao there entered, in the foreign trade, in 1911, 762 vessels of 1,574,213 tons, and cleared 575 of 1,373,372 tons. The following steamship lines trade to Peruvian ports : — Pacittc Steam Navigation Company, Compania Sud- Americana de Vapores, Lamport and Holt Line, Gulf Line, Merchants Line (the New York and Pacific Steamship Company), Kosmos Line, Roland Line, Toyo Kisen Kaisha (the Oriental Steamship Company), Lee Chai Line, Barber and Co., Inc : Line, Hamburg- Amerika Line; Compania Peruana de Vapores y Dique del Callao (Peruvian Steamship and Dock Company of Callao). Since 1886, foreign sailing vessels may not engage in Peruvian coasting trade ; but foreign steamers, with special authorisation, may.

The merchant navy of Peru in 1911 consisted of 11 steamers of 12,673 tons, and 60 sailing vessels (over 50 tons) of 31,454 tons.

Internal Communications.

Good roads and bridges are required all over the country, and great efforts are being made for their construction. There is a carriage road from Sicuani to Cuzco, 90 miles.

In 1911 the total working length of the Peruvian railways was 1,656 miles, of which 1,120 miles was worked by the Peruvian Corporation. The Peruvian Corporation owns and operates the Central Railway of Peru, the Southern Railway of Peru, the Guaqui-La Paz Railway, the Trujillo Railway, the Paita Railway, the Pacasmayo Railway, the Pisco and lea Railway, the Lake Titicaoa steamers, and the River Desaguedero Navigation. It also operates for the Government the section of the Chimbote-Recuay Railway from Chimbote to Tablones. On May 22, 1911, the Peruvian Corporation leased for a term of 30 years, from June 30, 1911, the Ilo-Moquegua Railway, which runs for about 60 miles through an agricultural district, together with its rolling stock and the mole at Ilo, the Corporation having the option of terminating the lease at the end of the first twenty years. In consideration of this lease the Corporation is to spend about 10,0O0Z. on the water surface at Ilo and to supply the inhabitants of Ilo with water at an improved rate. The capital outlay by the Corporation is to bear interest at 6 per cent, per annum and is to be amortized from the net receipts of the mole and railway. The gauge of the railways is 4ft. 8^in. except that of the Chimbote and Trujillo line which is 3ft. Electric railways connect Lima with Chorrillos and with Callao. The Peruvian Corporation is building a breakwater at Mollendo.

There were 308 telegraph oflBces (276 belonging to the State) in 1911. The length of State telegraph lines in 1911 was 6,500 miles, and of wire, 7,794 raihs. Miles under construction (1911) 326. Still to be built, 1,072