AFRICA : SOUTH AFRICA. 433 



America can not be denied. Notwithstanding the war with Spain, 

 which retarded movement of freights, and the losses in this country 

 of cattle, sheep, crops, etc., I feel assured the imports of 1898 will 

 show an increase over 1897. Scrap paper and rags are not in de- 

 mand, and do not find a market here as in other countries. When 

 attention is given to this market by the paper manufacturers of the 

 United States, orders will be placed. While freight is less from 

 the United States than from Great Britain, if return cargoes could 

 be assured it would be still lower. 



J. G. STOWE, 

 CAPE TOWN, January 6, 1899. Consul-General. 



SOUTH AFRICAN REPUBLIC. 



The population of this Republic, according to the census of 1897, 

 was 878,626, of which 289,500 were white. Pretoria district had 

 78,618, of which 40,000 were white. The increase is estimated to be 

 10 per cent throughout. The illiterates number about 62 per cent. 



In 1892, the Government granted to a certain W. W. Mare aeon- 

 cession for the manufacture of paper for a period of twelve years. 

 Said Mare contracted to make this paper from the raw materials 

 produced in the Republic, and was to sell his product at wholesale 

 only. He was to pay to the Government the sum of ^100 ($486) 

 per annum, or, in lieu thereof, 10 per cent of the net profits, at the 

 option of the Government. He further deposited a forfeit of ^250 

 ($1,215) a? a guaranty that he would have the concern in operation 

 within eighteen months fronvthe signing of the contract. He was 

 unable, evidently, to procure the necessary capital to begin his 

 operations within the specified time, and the matter dropped out of 

 sight. Not long since, the Government was persuaded to renew the 

 concession, and it is now believed the factory will be built. When 

 it is producing, the concessionary will have a practical monopoly of 

 the paper trade, as the Government will levy a prohibitive tariff on 

 all foreign competing products ; therefore, the outlook for American- 

 manufactured paper in this district is decidedly gloomy. 



There are no concerns here dealing exclusively in paper. There 

 are some 50 printers and publishers, including 5 daily, 15 weekly, 

 and 5 monthly newspapers and journals published in the Republic. 

 There is also one box manufacturer. I am informed that the United 

 Kingdom supplies practically all the paper at the present time. As 

 to the prices, etc., of the different classes of paper imported, I have 

 not been able to obtain exact data. 



GHAS. E. MACRUM, 



PRETORIA, January 17, 1899. Consul. 



s c R P & p 28. 



