Page:Statesman's Year-Book 1913.djvu/1389

 MONEY, ETC. — DIPLOMATIC REPRESENTATIVES 1267

Money and Credit.

The note i-ssiie ol' the Bauk of Spain is regulated by law of May 13, 1902. On January 27, 1913, the position of the Bank was as follows; —

1,000 Pesetas. '

Tgold (.i-10,44.j

Cash in hand -c silver 737,527

I, bronze 3,037

Portfolio 775,60<J

Public Treasury 105,188

Advances to Treasury 150,000

Property 13,100

Capital and reserve 170,000

Notes in circulation l,8.'i5,6S4

Deposits and Accounts current 460,968

Discounts 280,980

Savings bank deposits in Spain, December 31, 1911, 448,303,000 pesetas, distributed over 664,839 accounts.

The nominal value of the money coined in Spain from 1868 to 1907 was : gold, 920,613,935 pesetas; silver, 1,330,589,807 pesetas. In 1905-07 no gold was coined ; in 1906-07, no silver was coined. No coinage was struck during the years 1908 and 1909. In 1910, money coined to the value of 1,976,180 jDesetas in 50 centime pieces (silver) to replace money retired from circulation. In 1911, 263,023 pesetas of 50 centime pieces were coined, as well as 60,286 pesetas of bronze centime pieces.

Money, Weights, and Measures.

The Peseta of 100 Gentesimos is of the value of a franc, 9^'i., or 27 to 28 Itcsetas to the pound sterling, but the actual value is about 8^d. to ^%d.

Gold coins in use are 25, 20, 10, and 5-peseta pieces. Silver coins are 5- peseta, 2-pescta, 1-peseta, and 50 centime pieces.

Both gold and silver coins are of the same weight and fineness as the corre- sponding French coins. Under a law of July 29, 1908, the Government is withdrawing from circulation the spurious 5-peseta pieces which had become common. Gold coinage is not in general circulation.

Theoretically, there is a double standard of value, gold and silver, the ratio being 15^ to 1. But of silver coins only the 5-peseta piece is legal tender, and the coinage of this is restricted.

On January 1, 1859, the metric system of weights and measures was introduced in Spain. But, besides these, the old weights and measures are still largely used. They are: — The Quintal — 220 '4 lbs. avoirdupois ; the Libra =1*014 lbs. avoirdupois ; the Arroha, for wine = 3^ imperial gallons ; for oil = 2| imperial gallons ; the Square Vara = 1 "09 vara = 1 yard ; the Fanega =1^ imperial bushel.

Diplomatic and Consular Representatives.

1. Of Spain in Great Britain.

Ambassador. — Don Wenceslao Ramurez de Yilla-Urrutia, G.C. V.O.

Minister and Councillor — Don Conde de Velle.

Second Secretary. — Don Carlos de la Huerta.

Attaches. — Marques de los Arcos, Don ]\Ianuel Casulleras, Don F. Carlos Silvela, Don Esteban Martinez, Don Eduardo M. Pena, Scnor Marques dc Mos.

.yfilitary Attache. — Major Julio Vicens.

Consul-General in London. — Don Jose Congusto (appointed March 1913).

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