to explain in what manner Nicaragua is benefited under their hypothesis. The shipments of coffee from Nicaragua were: For the two years ending June 30, 1884. June 30, 1886 June 30, 1888 June 30, 1890. Pounds. 12, 696, 400 14, 247, 200 12, 424, 300 19, 786, 400 Many new coffee plantations have been started within the past few years and it is believed that exportations of this product must continue to increase. The following table shows the amount of coffee exported from Nicaragua to the United States within the past ten years: Inasmuch as the price of coffee has increased, it will be understood that this industry is an important factor in the prosperity and wealth of the country. The following table shows the total foreign commerce of Nicaragua, including exports and imports, for the periods stated: Here, again, it must be noted that the imports are stated in Nica raguan currency, while the exports are calculated on the gold basis of Europe and the United States. The largest importers of Nicaragua's products are the United States, Germany, France, and England, in the order named, but the purchases of Nicaragua from foreign countries change this order. England stands first, followed by the United States, France, and Germany. The imports from the United States, however, are increasing so rapidly that England may not long continue to head the list. The exports of Nicaragua for the two years ending June 30, 1890, comprise the following articles: Señor Gamez, in his Noticias, approved by the Government, and therefore of an official character, says: In 1858, when the social and political reorganization of the country was accomplished, the total imports into Nicaragua amounted to $362,306. Subsequent to that date a steady increase, each year larger, has taken place. In 1890 (the last year upon which the writer had official information) the total imports into Nicaragua represented the sum of $4,268,405.27. The exports in the same year were $3,833,614.28. The imports into Nicaragua in 1890, classified by countries, were: Then came It appears from the above that the nation which imported Nicaraguan merchandise in larger quantity than all others was the United States. Germany, France, and England. England, however, sent more goods to Nicaragua than the United States, and the United States more than France, and France more than Germany. The principal products capable of being exported from Nicaragua have been up to this date coffee, India rubber, dyewoods, hides, and gold in bullion. The principal articles of importation into Nicaragua are: Oils, vegetable, animal, and mineral; spirits; cotton, raw and manufactured; firearms; boots and shoes; carriages; waterproof cloaks; white beeswax; canned eatables of all kinds; glassware; drugs and medicines; mirrors and all kinds of parlor ornaments; stearic candles; matches; flour; iron, in bars and plates; machetes, clubs, hoes, and all kinds of agricultural implements; household articles; soap; wool, raw and manufactured; silk, raw and manufactured; linen, raw and manufactured; machinery; engines and materials for railroads, steamboats, and mining and agricultural enterprises; pipes; haberdashery; toys; silver coins; wooden house furniture; school furniture; all kinds of paper; perfumery; pianos and musical instruments; tanned skins; paints and varnishes; watches, clocks, and jewelry; small metal ware; empty bags; all kinds of hats; all kinds of wines; books; lamps; fancy articles. No consular certification of invoices is required by Nicaragua. Invoices must be made out in triplicate, and valuation and customs duties are adjusted in the custom-house of the port of debarkation. Duties are levied on all goods according to weight. The commercial interests of Nicaragua are so closely identified with the question of transportation that it is impossible to touch on one subject without some reference to the other. The few years that have elapsed since Lakes Nicaragua and Managua were connected by railroad and steamboat lines with the port of Corinto on the Pacific coast have been sufficient to demonstrate the immediate and gratifying effect that this improvement has had on the commerce and progress of the country, but the great necessity remains for rapid and cheap communication with the Atlantic coast. When goods reach the Pacific, they have to bear the expense of transportation over a circuitous route by way of Panama and the high freight charged by the Panama Railroad Company in order to reach either the United States or Europe. By this route and by railroad and steamboat to Corinto, the rate of freight on coffee to New York, in Nicaraguan currency, is: From Granada... From Managua ... .per ton.. $40. 40 ..do.... 39. 20 36.80 The rates by steamers on the River San Juan to the Caribbean coast are high, although considerably less than the cost of transportation via the Pacific, but this is more than counterbalanced by the uncertainty and delay caused by the rapids and shallows which attend the river service. The rates of freight are low between the United States or Europe and the Atlantic ports of Central America; consequently, whenever the projected railroad in that direction from Lake Nicaragua is completed, a great reduction will be made from the rates now paid by way of the Pacific ports as above quoted. But the hopes of Nicaragua are centered on the Interoceanic Canal. When that great work shall have been completed, Granada will be virtually a seaport, and Atlantic liners will be able to load and discharge their cargoes at her wharves; in fact, Lake Nicaragua will become a vast dock, where, by means of railroads, the commerce of Central America will find its center and point of distribution. A complete list of freight rates between New York and the Pacific ports, and from Corinto to interior points by railroad and steamboat, is given hereafter. The passenger rates are: * Rates of freight from Nicaraguan ports to New York by Pacific Mail Company's steamers.* [United States gold currency.] Tobacco. ..do.... . 02 Wood, mahogany, rose, and other hard woods, shipped from June to January, inclusive.. General merchandise, not elsewhere enumerated. .pound.. .008 .011⁄2 Do Gold, silver, and valuables (on value), 11⁄2 per cent. *It should be noted that the rates for passengers and freight are subject to changes from time to time. |