EUROPE: ITALY. 211 



people will not take, and so gain the field. Circulars and advertise- 

 ments are absolutely thrown away. The European, and especially 

 the Latin European, has a deep-rooted distrust of representations 

 unsupported by samples. Our people must take conditions as they 

 find them and act accordingly. Goods must be sent over for dealers 

 to inspect, and enterprising commercial men acquainted with one or 

 more European languages must introduce their own goods. In no 

 other way can we hope to gain a footing in these already well-stocked 

 markets. 



EXPORTS. 



With regard to exports of paper, I am again unable to give de- 

 tailed figures by classes and countries. From such information as 

 has been furnished me by manufacturers and chambers of commerce, 

 I learn that exportation takes place to Austria, Turkey, Egypt, 

 Greece, Tunis, Tripoli, and South America about in the order 

 named. The exportation to Austria is largely of rough packing 

 paper, and shipments are made to the Adriatic provinces. The other 

 countries accept the other kinds of paper. In Mohammedan coun- 

 tries very little printing paper is, of course, required. The prices 

 vary as follows per quintal (220.46 pounds): 



Writing paper $7. 20 to $28. 82 



Office paper '. 4. 50 to 9.00 



Wrapping paper 2.00 to 9.00 



The following table gives comparative exports by sea from 1893 

 to 1897 : 



In these returns, books and printed matter of all kinds are in- 

 cluded. They make but a small percentage, however. I am at a 

 loss to account for the fact that, while the quantity of export in 1897 

 was greater than in 1896, the value was less. Such, however, are 

 the figures furnished by the Venice Chamber of Commerce. 



In 1898, the exports by all channels were to the amount of 3,108 

 tons and to the value of $462,427.56. But these figures include 

 shipments to other parts of Italy. 



The banking, postal, and telegraphic communications with 

 Austria have already been mentioned. 



In the Levant, the Imperial Ottoman Bank is the medium of 

 exchange. This institution in Constantinople, managed by English- 



