URUGUAY 1099 



imports advanced from $4,425, 913 in 1909 to $6,257,691 in 1910; while the exports 

 improved from $8,113,690 in 1909 to $10,849,623 in 1910. During the first quarter of 

 1912 the customs receipts resulted in an increase of $205,522 as compared with the 

 corresponding period of 1911. 



On June 5, 1912 a further revolution broke out under the leadership of one D'Orcilien, 

 the government troops at the first engagement being defeated. Disturbances continued 

 at intervals throughout the months of July, August and September. On September 13, 

 1912 the United States decided to intervene, and despatched the cruiser " Des Moines," 

 and the gunboat " Wheeling," to protect American interests. On September 24th a 

 force of 750 United States marines was despatched to protect the customs houses (which 

 had been seized by the revolutionists), in accordance with the Convention of 1907; 



URUGUAY 1 



Uruguay has an area of 72,210 square miles, and the population according to the 

 most recent estimate is 1,112,000, giving an average of 15.3 inhabitants per square mile. 

 Imports were valued in 1910-11 at 9,537,423 and exports 9,263,607, imports from 

 Great Britain being valued at 1,030,531 (Jan. to July 1910) and exports to Great 

 Britain 437,937 (Jan. to July 1911). The revenue was estimated in the budget of 

 1912-13 at $35,142,380 and the expenditure at $35,000,000 ($i gold = 4S.3d.). The 

 total public debt amounts to 27, 813,077 (26,185,077 external and 1,628,000 internal). 

 The total mileage of railways is 2011 (including lines under construction) and that of 

 telegraph lines 4819. The army has a strength of 7500 men and 600 officers. The 

 navy comprises 1 2 vessels with a personnel of 660. 



The presidency of Senor Claudio Williman, which began in 1907, was characterised 

 by a cautious financial policy; nevertheless, considerable sums were devoted in 1909 by 

 the Government to the founding of agricultural colonies, the construction of port works, 

 and to the subsidising of certain new railway lines. The general prosperity of the coun- 

 try was shown in the growth of imports and exports. In spite of the Public Debt 

 (amounting to 27,813,077) being a heavy one for a country possessing but little over 

 1,000,000 inhabitants, the natural resources of the Republic, which are as yet only 

 partially developed, are such that the public credit of Uruguay continues to stand high. 

 On October 30, 1909 the Brazilian-Uruguayan Treaty, concerning the joint-ownership 

 of the Mirim lagoon and the Jaguareto river, was signed. 



In the early days of 1910, further insurrections were attempted, the penal code 

 countenancing such revolts and allowing participators to escape punishment. Many of 

 the disturbances took place in Montevideo in connection with the presidential candi- 

 dature of Serior Battle y Ordonez (President 1903-07). Much public dissatisfaction 

 was occasioned by the large increase in the strength of the army, and the consequent 

 heavy charge on the Budget (1910). 



During President Williman's administration, a reduction was made in the exporta- 

 tion duties of meat products, and the light-dues were diminished; the 5 per cent tax on 

 salaries and pensions and the Postal surcharges were eliminated. On the other hand, 

 fees were instituted upon industrial and professional licences. Cable rates were reduced 

 by order of the Government, and provision was made for the tariffs schedule of cable 

 companies to be revised annually. 



From January i to February 2, 1911 the South American Postal Congress was held 

 at Montevideo; this provided for the establishment in that city of an International 

 South American postal bureau under the direction of the government of Uruguay. The 

 object of the bureau is to collect, arrange, publish and distribute data of special interest 

 to the postal service of South American countries, including Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, 

 Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela. 



In March 1911 Senor Battle y Ordonez was elected president of the republic for the 

 second time. Almost immediately an extreme socialistic policy was put forward, with 

 the result that a strong opposition to the government was created. Among other 



1 See E. B. xxvii, 805 et seg. 



