SOUTH AMERICA: URUGUAY. 373 



15ANKS, RAW MATERIAL, FUEL, ETC. 



The Banco Mercantil, in Asuncion, has connection with banks in 

 New York, London, Paris, and Berlin. 



Raw materials rags, wood fibers, and fibers from grass and other 

 plants are found in abundance. Water power exists in many places. 

 Fuel wood is expensive only near Asuncion. There is a railroad 

 between here and Villa Rica, and the Paraguay River is available 

 for transportation throughout the country. 



JOHN N. RUFFIN, 



ASUNCION, February i, 1899. Consul. 



URUGUAY. 



MONTEVIDEO. 



In two most excellent reports of my predecessor, Mr. Schramm, 

 found in CONSULAR REPORTS Nos. 192 and 204, many of the questions 

 propounded in Department circular of November 16 are clearly and 

 sufficiently answered. Those that are not will be answered here, as 

 well as can be done in the absence of recent data. 



POPULATION. 



The population was reported last month at 845,000 inhabitants. 

 The percentage of illiterates can not be given. It is large, but is 

 decreasing by reason of the enforced school system. 



CONSUMPTION. 



White paper is used for newspapers and books and to supply the 

 usual demand found in a civilized country. The names of printers, 

 publishers, and publications can not be given, as there is no official 

 list. There are no manufacturers of paper from pulp in the country. 

 The consumption of paper shows a small increase, and with a con- 

 tinuance of peaceful government it will be much greater. 



PRODUCTION. 



There is no paper produced here save a small quantity of brown 

 wrapping. There is undeveloped water power at Salta, but it is 

 covered with "concessions" that would have to be bought up at a 

 high figure. Coal comes from Wales some from the United States 

 and costs the large consumer an average of 335. to 365. ($8.01 to 

 $8.74) per ton. There is no wood suitable for paper manufacture, 

 except perhaps that of the "ombri" tree, which has a soft, flaky 

 fiber; but this is not found in any great quantity. 



