Page:Statesman's Year-Book 1921.djvu/711

 AGRICULTURE — COMMERCE 659

It has over 100 pupils, but the attendances are most irregular, and the in- stitution is unpopular as jet with the ignorant people.

Justice is administered by the provincial governors, and shums, or petty chiefs, with the right of appeal to the Emperor. The legal system is said to be based on the Justinian Code.

Agriculture.

The chief industries are pastoral and agricultural. Cattle, sheep, and goats are numerous. The horses of the country are sniall but hardy ; mules are bred everywhere, being used as pack animals ; donkeys are also small and serve for baggage animals. The soil belongs theoretically to the Negus ; the idea of landed property scarcely exists among the populace, and agriculture is therefore backward. Cotton, the sugar-cane, date-palm, coffee, and vine might thrive well in many districts, but are nowhere extensively cultivated. The production of Harari coffee (long berry Mocha) is on the increase. Besides this, which is cultivated, there grows more especially in southern and western aia a wild coffee plant, yielding a berry known as Abyssinian coffee, which grows in extensive forests. The supply is said to be unlimited. The total coffee exports of the country have been estimated as follows:— 6,364 metric tons in 1916, 5,121 metric tons in 1915, and 3,810 metric tons in 1914. The native produce includes hides and skins, barley, millet (dhurra), wheat, gesho (which serves as a substitute for hops), and tobacco, but not in sufficient quantities for export. Manufacturing industries are also in a back- ward state. The forests abound in valuable trees and rubber. Iron is abun- dant in some districts and is manufactured into spears, knives, hatchets, Ac. Placer gold mining and washing are carried on in many districts ; coal is mined in the Shoa province, but is not uf commercial importance : silver, copper, and sulphur have been found.

Commerce.

The principal artery of trade is the French Ethiopian railroad, but cara- vans also do a large trade in the interior. The chief trade routes besides the railway are the following : — (1) Khartum-Gambella, Khartum -Gallabat, and Khartum-Koseiics (Sudan); (2) Mombasa-Nairobi -Moyale (British East Africa); (3) Bulhar-Ogaden (British Somaliland) ; (4) Massawa-Asmara- Gondar, Assab-Deesie (Italian Eritrea) ; (5) Mogadishu-Lugh-Dolo-Arusi (Italian Somaliland).

The exports consisted mainly of hides and skins, coffee, wax, ivory, civet, and native butter. The imports comprised grey shirting (abu jedid), cotton goods, arms and ammunition, provisions, liquors, railway material, sugar, and petroleum. The imports are chiefly from England, France, India, Italy, and the United States. The total trade between Abyssinia and Great Britain for 5 years (according to Board of Trade returns) was as follows : —

1918

1919

1920

£ 3,330 3,774

£ 3,833

£ IJ.730

£ 10,869

£

■ 81,618

Imports from Abyssinia. Exports to Abyssinia

Abyssinia has commercial treaties with Great Britain (1897) for - most favoured nations treatment' ; with Italy (1897), terminable on six months' notice ; with the United State*

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