WEST INDIES: SANTO DOMINCO. 351 



lishing company is the Moniteur Official, or official gazette, which, 

 besides publishing all decrees, ordinances, administrative changes, 

 etc., contains the proceedings of the council general. 



PRODUCTION. 



As there exist no paper mills, the raw materials, such as vege- 

 table fibers, grasses, or waste materials, receive no attention. 



IMPORTS. 



The imports of fine and ordinary paper come from France, as 

 well as books of nearly every sort. They are brought by steamers 

 and sailing vessels. 



Wrapping paper is imported from the United States in very lim- 

 ited quantities, owing to the high customs duties, aggregating from 

 15 to 20 francs ($2.85 to $3.81) per 100 kilograms (220 pounds) net. 



Rates of freight from France vary from 8 to 10 francs ($1.52 to 

 $1.90) per ton by sailing vessels, and from 25 francs ($4.76), mini- 

 mum rate, to 50 francs ($9.52) and 10 per cent on general cargo, by 



steamer. 



A. TESTART, 



ST. PIERRE, December 28, 1899. Acting Consul. 



SANTO DOMINGO (DOMINICAN REPUBLIC). 



The population of Santo Domingo City is estimated at 18,000. 

 The percentage of illiterates is about 70. I think the people have 

 mechanical traits sufficient to become producers of paper, as there is 

 now being built at Bocaktigua, about 20 miles from here, a paper 

 mill to make all classes of paper. 



Brown paper is used in large quantities and of different sizes for 

 wrapping paper. Cigarette paper is imported in large quantities, 

 there being many cigarette factories here. About 300 laborers are 

 constantly employed in these establishments. 



There are six printing houses, and a good deal of printing paper 

 is used. White and colored paper is used for cards and for adver- 

 tising bills, etc. The paper is made of cotton and is received in 

 large sheets. A good deal of ordinary writing paper is used here; 

 for Government paper, large white linen is used. A considerable 

 quantity of fine silk paper is employed in making artificial flowers. 

 For hardware wrapping, a very heavy, thick paper is used. 



Brown wrapping paper is imported mainly from the United 

 States. Cotton and silk paper come from Germany and France. 

 Brown paper pays $5 per 100 pounds duty. Common writing paper 



