Demand for Iron Theaters in Spain.-Consul Bartleman, of Malaga, under date of September 22, 1899, says:

I have been requested to obtain from firms in the United States prices, plans, and specifications for a cheap and pretty theater, with a seating capacity of about six hundred, the same to contain one or two balconies, and to be constructed of sheet or corrugated iron. Any communications addressed to me will be delivered to the parties interested.

American Corn in Russia.—The chargé d'affaires ad interim at St. Petersburg, Mr. Peirce, writes, under date of October 11, 1899, that a telegram from Reval announces the arrival of the first steamer with American indian corn. Eight more are expected.

Duties in Zanzibar.-Acting Consul Sarle writes from Zanzibar, September 14, 1899, that an ad valorem duty of 5 per cent will be imposed from September 15, 1899, on all imports except coins, coal, hippopotamus teeth, ivory, rhinoceros horns and hides, rubber and tortoise shells.

· Consular Reports Transmitted to Other Departments.-The following reports from consular officers (originals or copies) have been transmitted since the date of the last report to other Departments for publication or for other action thereon:

FOREIGN REPORTS AND PUBLICATIONS.

Trade Openings in Syria.-A correspondent writes from Aleppo. to the British Trade Journal, London, October 1, 1899, in regard to the value—as markets—of the populous centers of northern Syria. The present governor-general is endeavoring to develop the country agriculturally. He has employed an able engineer to report on the best methods of reclaiming the vast regions in the districts of Aleppo and Adana, the immense water courses of the Euphrates, the Orontes, and the Tigris, and the parched, uncultivated lands on the borders of the Great Syrian Desert from their present condition of neglect. The engineer has suggested the employment of windmills, with the result that, to use the words of the correspondent, "on all sides, symmetrically constructed and picturesque steel towers are rapidly springing up, crowned with steel windmills, which have been carefully chosen, after exhaustive experiments, in preference to wooden mills, and may be seen at work throwing out broad streams of water for irrigating purposes or almost uninterruptedly grinding corn to serve as food. These windmills are almost exclusively furnished by American firms. In this respect, Germany appears no better able than England to compete.'

After deploring that this trade should be monopolized by Americans, the writer says, in substance:

For irrigating implements to be used along the rivers, the prospects are much more satisfactory for England, and in this instance I am happy to state that a trial order for a bucket pump has been given to an Essex firm, which in the event of its answering requirements, will be very largely adopted. This may also be said of centrifugal and belt-link pumps, although in every instance French and American makers are keenly disputing the market, and in many cases quoting lower than British houses.

A severe restriction upon the importation of irrigating appliances was the heavy customs duty-8 per cent ad valorem-which had to be paid on all goods entering. The governor-general has been instrumental in having this charge entirely removed. All goods and machinery for irrigating purposes are now allowed to pass the customhouse free of duty. The effect of this has been to give a fresh impetus to the irrigating business. I am also informed from an official source that the same concession was obtained from Constantinople for everything that concerns agricultural implements. It is with regret that I see this market almost wholly monopolized by foreign firms.

Plans and estimates for the lighting of the port of Alexandretta by acetylene gas are now being considered by the governor-general. England will probably obtain the contract for the first installation of acetylene-gas plant to be put up in Syria. It is certain to be followed by large orders for other towns.

There is a growing demand for galvanized-iron roofing tiles, roofing felt, etc. French and Swiss makers command the market. The municipality of Aleppo has the money ready for an order of considerably over £500 ($2,500) for galvanized roofing tiles for a new public hospital and a guardhouse.

Iron beams, iron building requirements, pipes, and water fittings are being imported in large quantities, thanks to the impetus being given to the construction of public buildings, bridges, houses, and new roads, and the use of water pipes in irrigation.

German Chemical Discoveries.-The following paragraphs are taken from a British Foreign Office report from Berlin, reviewing German trade in 1898:

SULPHURIC ACID.

A great change seems imminent in the manufacture of sulphuric acid. The Baden Aniline Soda Factory has patented a most important improvement in the production of this substance. By this new process there is an immense saving in fuel, and the expensive platina apparatus is no longer necessary. More important still is the fact that no saltpeter is required by the new process. Saltpeter is of such enormous value for agricultural and technical purposes that any economy in its use must be welcomed, the more so as the saltpeter fields will, in the course of time, be exhausted.

AMMONIA.

There is a report of a newly discovered process in the production of ammonia. Up to this date, gas meters have been used in the production of this union of hydrogen and nitrogen; but by the new process, a calcium metal is heated in nitrogen to 1,200°, and the result is a brown slag, from which, by watering, ammonia and slacked lime are obtained. Much is expected of this process, which is, however, on account of the high price of calcium, at present too dear. It is possible that calcium may be obtained cheaper by the electrolytic process. It is worthy of mention that lately, in the Argentine Republic, borax layers have been discovered in forty-eight places of the Department of Tumbaya, 130 kilometers (80.7 miles) from the capital.

tant.

ARTIFICIAL INDIGO.

Among new manufactures, that of artificial indigo is decidedly the most imporArtificial indigo is a perfect substitute for the natural product. This has, of course, led to the establishment of numerous factories for its production. This fact, together with the low price of the natural indigo, will eventually cause some difficulties in the trade.

CALCIDUM.

In many manufactures, it is a necessity to work with a liquid which does not freeze. Till the present time, it was only possible to lower the freezing point of water by an admixture of salt or glycerin. At last a liquid has been found which lowers the freezing point of water to 56°. It is called "calcidum." Calcidum being 500 per cent cheaper than glycerin, that expensive substance is no longer necessary. By mixing this substance with water, one can lower the freezing point to any desired depth. In the manufacture of acetylene gas this discovery is of immense importance. The police regulations existing here forbid the generation of acetylene gas in houses or in massive buildings; it is only, then, in lightly built sheds, in which water easily freezes, that this manufacture is permitted.

By the use of calcidum, the manufacture can be carried on in the open air with only a light roof to protect it from snow. In many other industries similar advantages can be obtained by its use, and among experts much is hoped as to the progress in manufactures to be made by the new discovery. Calcidum is a colorless liquid, heavier than water, hydroscopic, noninflammable (rendering stuff so impregnated also noninflammable), and does not eat into metal. The patent bureau of Richard Lüdors, in Görlitz, sends small samples gratis on application.

SUGARINE.

A new sweetening substance "methylbenzolsulfinid," or "sugarine," which is said to be 500 times as sweet as sugar, has been discovered; the process of production seems to be somewhat complicated.

Industries in the Transvaal.-The Deutsches Handels-Archiv, Berlin, October, 1899, has the following:

The manufacturing industry in the Transvaal, which imports the greater part of raw products from abroad, has been fostered by special protective duties imposed by the Government.

In the year 1897, the following factories existed in the Republic:

The establishment of a wool spinning and weaving mill and of a candle manufactory is projected.

French Warehouse in Madrid.-The Centralstelle für Vorbereitung von Handelsverträgen (Berlin, October 9, 1899) announces that the French chamber of commerce in Madrid has opened a warehouse with the intention of making the exchange of goods between France and Spain more active. The new institution comprises three divisions. The first contains a sample collection of Spanish articles intended for export to France; the second, the

most important articles of import into Spain which do not come from France; the third shows Spanish imports of French origin. The members of the French chamber of commerce in Madrid are allowed to exhibit here their catalogues, samples, etc., for the information of purchasers.

Iron Bedsteads in Turkey.-The British Trade Journal, London, October 1, 1899, quotes from a report by the Austro-Hungarian consulate at Constantinople the statement that iron bedsteads are beginning to be used more extensively in Turkey, the demand from the provincial markets likewise advancing. The imports are valued at about $75,000 per year. They are mostly supplied by England and cost from $1.75 to $170. The line generally used costs from $3 to $5, and is 3 to 4 feet wide and 61⁄2 feet long.

Commercial Travelers in Brazil.-A British Foreign Office report (No. 510, miscellaneous series) has the following information in regard to taxes on commercial travelers in Brazil. The taxes, it appears, vary in different States. In Rio de Janeiro, there are none; in Pernambuco, there is a State tax of 200 milreis (about $32) leviable on each traveler; and in Ceara, 270 milreis ($43) as State and municipal tax. In Bahia, a State tax of about 1,000 milreis ($160) is imposed and collected yearly, no matter how many times the traveler may come there from other Brazilian ports, but is enforced every time he comes from a foreign country. In Para, the annual fee is 1,000 milreis ($160). In Amazonas, the annual tax is 300 milreis ($48). In Maranhão, the annual fee levied is 200 milreis ($32). In São Paulo there is no tax. In Rio Grande, a municipal tax of 500 milreis ($80) is imposed on commercial travelers, but not seriously enforced. In Petotas, a similar tax of 500 milreis is rigorously levied. In Porto Alegre, the tax amounts to 1,000 milreis ($160).