364 PAPER IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 



American and European drummers sometimes visit the district, 

 but without much success. 



Of the 48,823 kilograms (107,635 pounds) imported, only 113 kilo- 

 grams (249 pounds) came from the United States. One of the dealers 

 here said that his experience with American stock was not satisfac- 

 tory. 



In reply to the question, "What course should the United States 

 pursue to build up its exports to your district ?" I would say, accept 

 and follow the policy and methods laid down by ex-Consul Connolly, 

 of Auckland, New Zealand, found in CONSULAR REPORTS for January, 

 1897, page 93. 



DUTIES AND FREIGHT. 



The duties are from 25 to 60 per cent ad valorem, payable in 

 Chilean gold (i8d. 36 cents to the dollar). Exchange varies from 

 day to day. The present rate is n^i per Chilean dollar currency, so 

 importers never know what gold will cost them. 



. Freight from Europe by steamer is 305. per ton. While no na- 

 tionality has a monopoly, it is pretty sure Austrian dealers hold the 

 largest stocks. 



EXPORTS. 



The only exports consist of limited quantities supplied to border 

 mining camps. The Antofagasta and Bolivia Railroad, from this 

 port to Oruro, Bolivia, a considerable mining center, 600 miles dis- 

 tant and 1,200 feet above tide water, offers great facilities for export 

 trade; but, as mentioned above, Bolivia's supplies mostly come direct 

 and pass in transit. 



GENERAL OBSERVATIONS. 



The Chilean Government has endeavored for many years past 

 to favor paper production, and many mills have been erected; but, 

 so far as I know, none have been financially successful, though in 

 some cases the quality of the product was fair. The duties are 

 high enough to protect Chilean mills. The duty on blank books for 

 general business purposes largely exceeds the original cost. 



C. C. GREENE, 



ANTOFAGASTA, January 27, 1899. Consul. 



IQUIQUE. 



POPULATION. 



According to the census of 1895, the population of this city was 

 33,106. For want of official data, I should say that 50 per cent of 

 the native population is illiterate. 



Chile is an agricultural and mining country, and comparatively 

 little attention has been paid to manufactures. 



