other islands of the West Indies as well, are high. They are about the same as from Jamaica to Europe, although the distance is much less.1 Better rates would doubtless develop still further the interchange of goods, although our present position is so favorable that marked improvement can be brought about only by an increase in the standard of living of the average Jamaican citizen. Enterprise in the island, additional investment of capital, and a higher standard of life must be present before any great increase in commercial importance will be possible. As one of our consuls has reported, "Unless these necessary elements are supplied, the United States evidently has all the business on the island worth going after."2

TRINIDAD

Most important of the British West Indies in imports, and far the most important in export trade, is Trinidad. Much less than half as large as Jamaica, its foreign trade is greater than that of the larger island, and in view of its possibilities for development, it boasts itself the "Canada of the West Indies." At present the chances of putting Trinidad upon a truly prosperous basis are much better than in any other European colony in the West Indies.

1

Not the least advantage which the island enjoys is the

Daily Consular and Trade Reports, July 19, 1912. To Barbados, however, the rates are reported as appreciably less than to Europe. Daily Consular and Trade Reports, Sept. 23, 1914. This is due to the fact that the island lies on the route of vessels going to South America.

2 Ibid., Aug. 17, 1910.

character of its population, for there have settled here the greatest single group of East Indian immigrants to be found in the New World, and these men, it seems generally agreed by those familiar with local conditions, are "the men of the future" for the region in which Trinidad lies. It is beyond doubt, at least, that they have contributed remarkably to the active labor supply and have largely made possible the development which has occurred in the colony. Of the total population of 365,000, "some 115,000 are East Indians and more than 200,000 are negroes, 'colored' or partly colored. Next to these two races the Portuguese perhaps predominate and then in order come the Spanish, French, Scotch, Canadian, English and American, there being but few of the last named." 1 Evidently, Trinidad, like Jamaica, is distinctly not a white man's country if it is to be judged by the color of the present population. Practically thirteen out of every fourteen of the inhabitants are of dark skins.

The agricultural possibilities of the island are declared favorable for a wide range of tropical fruits. Oranges, bananas, mangoes, limes, grapefruit, guavas, paw-paws and avocado pears are easily grown and already figure among the exports, but the lack of refrigerating facilities on the steamships which visit the islands has thus far hindered any important development similar to that in Jamaica. The outlook for plantation rubber, however, is encouraging.

Agriculture has been chiefly confined to raising cocoa,

1 Daily Consular and Trade Reports, Nov. 5, 1913, and Commerce Reports, Supplement, April 1, 1915.

the present great source of the island's wealth. Of the total area over one-third is under cultivation, and of this about three-fourths is devoted to the cocoa crop.1 The product is not manufactured locally but is practically all shipped in the bean to other countries, chiefly the United States, for manufacture. The colonists realize that from the present outlook their prosperity depends on the market for this crop, and all tariff arrangements are negotiated especially with their effect on cocoa-growing in view. In 1913, the chief hesitancy of Trinidad in entering the Canadian Preference Agreement, now in force, was due to the fear that giving Canada a preference in her trade might result in the imposition of duties on the cocoa sent to the United States, which enjoyed free entry. The same concern was felt by the growers in St. Lucia and Dominica.2

The other agricultural products of importance are sugar and coconuts. The sugar industry has been declining for a decade but, due to the European War, has recently had a revival, the shipments being sent principally to the home country. Coconuts are exported chiefly to the United States. Rice growing is also increasing in importance but, as yet, the demands of the local market practically consume the supply.3

The most widely known resource of Trinidad is, of

1 Daily Consular and Trade Reports, Nov. 5, 1913. In 1914, 63,000,000 pounds were exported. See Commerce Reports, Supplement, April 1, 1915.

2 Canada-West Indies Conference, Ottawa, 1913, pp. 43, 47 and

102.

3

Daily Consular and Trade Reports, Nov. 5, 1913, and Commerce Reports, Supplement, April 1, 1915.

course, its apparently unlimited supply of paving asphalt. The "asphalt lake" continues to be the source of an increasing output. Formerly, asphalt in its various forms was the colony's chief export, but it is now exceeded in value by both cocoa and sugar.

Crude petroleum has also been found in good quantity. This resource will become especially valuable with the development of traffic through the Panama Canal, and if the oil lands prove to be as extensive as is now claimed, a result many outsiders feel unlikely, it will make Trinidad one of the chief fuel-oil supply stations of the world.1

Trinidad occupies a favored position as a trade center for the West Indies south of Cuba, and for northern South America. Its location has led to the development of an important transshipment business which contributes to prosperity. It is also becoming one of the important coaling stations of the West Indies. The imports of coal from the United States reach a value of a quarter of a million dollars annually, not counting the large quantities taken by steamers which are not entered

at customs.

The proportion of the foreign commerce of Trinidad falling to the United States is large. In recent years first place has been held by the United Kingdom and the United States alternately, each taking about onethird of the total. The chief articles sent to Great Britain are, in order of importance, sugar and cocoa. To the United States the main exports are cocoa and

1

Daily Consular and Trade Reports, Nov. 5, 1913, and Commerce Reports, Supplement, April 1, 1915.

asphalt. The only other country figuring prominently in the account is Venezuela. Trade with the latter country is composed to a large extent of transshipment of goods.1

Of all the colonies parties to the agreement, Trinidad is the most affected by the provisions of the Canadian Preference legislation of 1913. The effect of this measure on trade with the United States, judging from the first two years of its operation, will be unfavorable. Many of the most important economic interests in the island, notably the cocoa business and the asphalt industry, are either controlled by American capital or feel that the American market is not to be sacrificed for whatever advantages may be reaped from closer relations with Canada. This point of view was repeatedly voiced by the cocoa growers during the conference preceding the Preference Act. Unlike the sugar estates, the cocoa plantations are in the hands of a large body of resident owners. In 1913, there were 28 sugar plantations held by thirteen companies, most of the owners of which were non-residents. But there were over 500 estates producing cocoa, the owners of which were largely resident. Over half of the local product is shipped to the United States and the planters are anxious to retain the market. Any move on the part of the United States to retaliate for Canadian preference would seriously affect the industry both in Trinidad and Grenada, "particularly as the cocoa industry [would]

1 Commerce Reports, Supplement, April 1, 1915, and Commerce Reports, Supplement, Sept. 4, 1915.

2 Canada-West Indies Conference, Ottawa, 1913, p. 102.