It will be interesting to compare the figures of two years ago with those of 1913.

In 1911 the total value of trade amounted to about 36,620,000 fr. (1,464,8007.), of which 23,882,000 fr. (955,2801.) represents imports and 12,738,000 fr. (509,5207.) exports. These figures include the value of the trade of the colony with oversea countries, and also the value of its land trade with the neighbouring French and foreign colonies.

These figures were made up as follows:

Oversea trade viâ—

Imports. Exports.

In 1911 the part played by the various countries in the import trade viâ Senegal was as follows:

The principal imports by the Senegal route in 1911 were as follows:

The principal exports in 1911 by the same route were as follows:

About 95 per cent. of the exports were sent to France and French colonies.

Native cloths.-These are made in increasingly large quantities and a good trade is carried on between the tribes in cloth. They are very strongly made and last for years, and in some parts of the Sudan are bartered and exchanged for other articles.

Leather goods. This is an important native industry in the Sudan, and the natives are very clever at turning out excellent leather work. This work consists of book covers, saddles, various straps, sandals, bags and wallets, various kinds of leather ornaments, sword scabbards, spear-handle covers, &c.

Smelting. The natives make swords, daggers, spears, various kinds of knives, agricultural implements, &c. Iron is found in large quantities in many parts of French West Africa.

Hides. This trade is increasing, and under the peaceful conditions now prevailing in the interior, it is likely to grow.

Various indigenous products.-In the Upper Senegal and Niger the following are the principal indigenous products:-Millet, gum, tobacco, rubber, cotton, maize, groundnuts and rice.

MAURITANIA.

Mauritania consists principally of hot sandy desert, and is not very densely populated. The inhabitants are a race of Berber Arabs, and are spoken of generally as Moors. They are a cruel and treacherous race, though keen traders and farmers, and are intelligent. The country is bounded on the west by the Atlantic Ocean, on the south by the Senegal River and on the east by the Assaba country. Besides the Moors, other races are also found in the country, and the wild and warlike Turegs go there also. Some of the other tribes are Joulofs, Peulhs, Sarakoles and Toucouleurs. These people live for the most part along or near to the right bank of the Senegal River.

Climate.-Dry, hot, wind-swept and comparatively healthy. Away from the Senegal and wells there are no mosquitoes, and there is very little disease in the country.

Administration. By a commissioner who is responsible to the Governor-General. The country is divided up into seven administrative zones. These are Trarza, Brakna, Tagant, Gorgol, Adrar, Guidimaka and Levrier Bay.

Access to Mauritania.-The coast of this country is a dangerous one and difficult of access. The two ports are Levrier Bay and Port Etienne, which are in monthly communication with Dakar by steamer. The journey from Dakar to Port Etienne takes four days.

Mauritania is not a well-watered country, and besides the Senegal River, there are a few creeks known as Sokhan, Gauedayo and Garak in the Trarza country.

Near to Regba port, a tributary of the Senegal, called Koundi, which is about 75 miles in length, is navigable during the rainy season for boats of light draught. Another tributary of the Senegal, the Golgol, is navigable for canoes up to Tadi between the months of May and October.

Commerce. In the interior barter is the means of trade. A fair amount of trade comes into the country by way of the French Sudan (Upper Senegal and Niger). This consists of rice, maize, ivory and kolas. The exports consist of sheep, goats and cattle, skins, ostrich feathers, salt, dates and gum. A certain number of arms and ammunition get into the country from Morocco. Coffee, spice, candles, sugar, paper and parchment, wax and skins are also imported by that route.

The annual value of the trade in Mauritania amounts to about 800,000l., of which the imports might be 320,000l. and the exports about 480,000l.

Gum. There is a good trade in gum in the country, something like 3,000,000 to 4,000,000 lbs. entering Senegal. The price per kilo. is from 4d. to 6d. Gum is found principally in Dahara and Biartagounant.

Industries.-Leather work of considerable variety and quality and smelting are the principal industries of the country. The leather and smelting work is much the same as is found in the Sudan, and consists of the making of saddles, bridles, daggers, knives, gun-locks, pipes, ornaments, trinkets, &c.

Lighthouse. As the coast is a treacherous one, there is a lighthouse at Cape Blanc, which has a range of about 18 miles according to weather. At Port Etienne there is a light with a range of about 6 miles, and another at Cansado visible at 13 miles.

Products of the soil.-The principal products are gum, date and cotton trees. The date palm is found principally in the Chinguetti, Ardrar and Atar regions.

The inhabitants are not really agriculturists. The nature of the country forbids it. The nomads are employed chiefly in locating water, guarding against attacks from bands of robbers, breeding and rearing cattle, and searching for pasture for them.

The country appears to be a good one for camels, who do well. in it. Excellent camels can be obtained in Adrar Sottof. These beasts have great endurance, and can travel in the desert for long distances with little water.

Horses. Although small, they are strong and hardy and fetch good prices. Near the Senegal River a mare will sometimes fetch 401. to 60%. At the present time, 1913, a Mauritanian horse can be obtained at Tagant and Gogol for about 151.

Cattle. The cattle with humps are used largely as transport animals. They are quiet, and can travel long distances, going nearly as fast as a camel, sometimes carrying as much as 120 kilos. But they require water. An ox can be bought from 21. 10s. to 41. in the hinterland, and in the Brakna country cows fetch from 31. to 71.

Goats and sheep.-The Moors possess large flocks. A fair sized sheep can be bought for 5s. in the interior. Wool is obtainable in the Tiris and Adrar countries.

Statistics for Mauritania for 1913 are not yet available.

The budget for Mauritania has been fixed for 1914 at 45,408,375 fr., or 1,816,3351., against 40,556,877 fr., or 1,622,275l., in 1913, which is an increase of 194,060l. for 1914.

Table 1 (A).—TABLE showing the Value of the Exports from the various Colonies comprising French West Africa during the Years 1910-12.

(B). TABLE showing the Value of the Trade in each of the Colonies comprising the Group of French West Africa during the Years 1910-12.

Table 2 (A).-TABLE showing the Value of the Imports and Exports of French West Africa during the Years 1908-12.

(B).-TABLE showing the Value of the Imports into the various Colonies comprising French West Africa during the Years

Table 3 (A).-TABLE showing the Amount and Value of Alcohol Imported into the various Colonies comprising French West Africa during the Years 1911-12.

(B). TABLE showing the Amount and Value of Rubber Exported from the Colonies comprising French West Africa (except Dahomey) during the Years 1911-12.