Average annual imports of specified classes of articles into Honduras from the United States,

The only goods showing a decline between the two periods are a few unimportant ones: Scientific instruments and apparatus, $5,700 to $4,500; notions, $2,300 to $1,900; soap, $8,100 to $6,600; and bottled wines, $2,100 to $1,400.

Besides the foregoing more important classes of goods there are many others which show a similar increase-paper, candles, cars, carriages and other vehicles, coal, earthen and china ware, glassware, rubber manufactures, lamps and chandeliers, matches, oilcloths, paints, etc., perfumery and cosmetics, manufactures of straw and palm leaf, tinware, etc. The rapid rise of the United States to the controlling position in the commerce of Honduras is but one of many illustrations of what our exporters may do in time in many parts of Spanish America.

GUATEMALA.

REVIVAL OF COMMERCIAL LIFE.

In 1897 the United States sent to Guatemala goods to the value of $2,992,000; in 1898 this figure dropped to $1,163,000, and in 1900 to $765,000. England in 1896 sent $2,000,000; in 1899, $640,000. Germany in 1897, $800,000; in 1898, $440,000; and in 1899, $250,000. The lowest ebb of the import trade was reached in 1899 and 1900. Since then there has been a gradual recovery.

The official figures of imports for the year 1904 showed considerable increase over previous years. Those for 1905, which have just been published by the Guatemalan Government, exhibit still further advance. Beginning with the years immediately following the crisis the figures are shown in the annexed table, which represent annual average values for the three-year periods stated and for 1904 and 1905 separately:

EXPORTS AND IMPORTS BY COUNTRIES.

The first table below shows the average annual values of exports and imports for the eleven years ending with 1904 and for the year 1905 between Guatemala and the United States, England, Germany, and France.

French trade with Guatemala has sunk almost into insignificance; English and German have remained nearly stationary, with a slight increase in their share of the imports and some decline in their share of the exports, while that of the United States has increased in both respects. Our share in the import trade in 1905 was nearly as large as that of England, Germany, and France combined.

GROWTH OF IMPORTS.

It is a common statement that American exports to Guatemala consist chiefly of foodstuffs, and I have repeatedly been told by persons supposedly familiar with the facts that the reason for the recent increase in American trade is the shortage of Guatemalan maize crops, which has made necessary the purchase of foreign supplies. An examination of the figures proves this to be but partial truth. It is true that foodstuffs constitute the largest single item in our exports to Guatemala; it is likewise true that a very considerable part of the increase in Guatemala's imports in 1905 consisted of these same goods, but these facts tell but part of the tale, for there are other extremely important items in our trade with Guatemala which show similar increase with foodstuffs. In 1905, when Guatemala's purchases of foodstuffs from the United States were abnormally large, they formed only about 35 per cent of her total purchases from us; at least an equal percentage is made up of sundry manufactured goods, of which the chief are iron and steel and textiles. On the other hand, the growth in Guatemalan imports is in many lines of goods which offer us a market. The shortage of the Guatemalan maize crop affected mainly the importation of breadstuffs, the increase for the year being $558,000

(from $450,000 in 1904 to $1,008,000 in 1905), but other increases are scarcely less significant, as will be seen from the following:

Principal articles of import into Guatemala showing increases in 1905.

of goods in which Guatemalan purchases have made marked gains the United States has contributed largely increased amounts, and in all of them except textiles and glassware the United States already holds the bulk of the trade. We furnish 89 per cent of the breadstuffs, 50 per cent of the other foodstuffs, 42 per cent of the iron and steel, 92 per cent of the coal, 98 per cent of the tallow, 22 per cent of the glassware, and 21 per cent of the textiles.

KINDS OF GOODS NEEDED.

A clear idea of the kinds of goods in demand in Guatemala and the position of the United States in the trade may be obtained from the following table, which includes all principal items of Guatemalan import (values in United States gold):

Principal imports into Guatemala and share of the United States therein for specified years.

Principal imports into Guatemala and share of the United States therein for specified years-Continued.

The bulk of American trade with Guatemala is seen to be in foodstuffs and in iron and steel goods, and in both of these classes of commodities as a whole we supply a larger share than any other country. There are many separate items included in these headings in which we are, however, far behind some of our competitors. A more detailed examination of these latter may offer hints to our exporters as to lines in which their trade might be increased. The annexed table shows specified imports into Guatemala, share of the United States therein, and principal sources of competition in 1905:

In textiles the United States holds but 21 per cent of the total trade, yet there are certain lines of these goods in which we are making progress, which is prophetic of considerable changes in the near future. In woolen, linen, and jute manufactures we hardly compete at all, but in silks we already hold the largest share, and in several classes of cottons we have made marked progress. The table on page 78 shows imports of silk and cotton goods into Guatemala, share of the United States therein, and principal sources of competition in 1905.