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grammes of snuff (2,050 piastres), and 1,301,404 kilogrammes of tumbéki (3,310,034 piastres); the exports comprised 14,798,694 kilogr. sent to countries within the empire, and 4,676,447 kilogrammes sent to foreign countries. The principal imports and exports in 1899-1900 were :—

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The Turkish official returns of commerce are not regarded as accurate. The value of imports is otherwise estimated at from 20 to 25 millions sterling a year, and of exports at about the same.

The value of the commercial intercourse between the whole of the Turkish Empire, in Europe and Asia (including Crete), and Great Britain during the last five years, according to the Board of Trade Returns, is shown in the following table :

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The principal imports from Turkey into the United Kingdom and exports to Turkey from the United Kingdom (according to Board of Trade Returns in two years were:

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The value of the trade at various Turkish towns in Asia in 1903 was :

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At Smyrna in 1902 the imports amounted to the value of 2,804,7737., and the exports to 4,275, 2337.

Shipping and Navigation.

The mercantile navy of the Turkish Empire in 1901 consisted of 107 steamers of 58,861 tons, and 916 sailing vessels of 179,883 tons. In 1900-01 (March to February) there entered and cleared at all the ports of Turkey 188,034 vessels of 34,332,877 tons. At Constantinople in 1903 there entered and cleared 10,796 steamers of an aggregate tonnage of 16,246,517 tons. This number comprised 4,214 British steamers of 7,746,321 tons, 2,073 Greek steamers of 2,284,183 tons, and the vessels of 9 regular mail steamship companies.

Internal Communications.

Since the summer of 1888 Turkey has been in direct railway communication with the rest of Europe. The main lines start from Constantinople and from Salonica. From this latter port is now the shortest route to Egypt, but there is no steamer service.

The length of railway line in European and Asiatic Turkey in 1903 was as follows:

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The German concession of the Baghdad Railway was to extend the Anatolian line from Konia to Adana, Mosul, Baghdad, and Basra, with many branch lines and an extension to a port on the Persian Gulf. The concession granted to the Anatolian Railway Company has been transferred

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The kile is the chief measure for grain, the lower measures being definite weights rather than measures. 100 kiles are equal to 12 128 British imperial

quarters, or 35 266 hectolitres.

In 1889 the metric system of weights was made obligatory for cereals; metric weights were decreed obligatory in January 1892, but the decree is not yet enforced.

Tripoli-in-Barbary.

Tripoli (including the Sanjek of Benghazi) fell under Turkish domination in the sixteenth century and, though, in 1714, the Arab population secured some measure of independence, the country was in 1835 proclaimed a Turkish vilayet. Some 40 years later Benghazi (Barka) was placed under separate administration. The chief authority both civil and military in Tripoli is in the hands of the governor-general or vali under whom are (as in the other Turkish provinces) mutessarifs, kaimakams and mudirs with authority over subordinate governments, cantons or districts, and communes respectively. Sheikhs have still authority over Arab tribes, and Berber assemblies still raise taxes. Benghazi has a mutessarif who is directly responsible to the Porte. All important officials are Turks.

The western frontier of Tripoli as far south as Ghadames was determined by France and Turkey in 1892, but the southern limit is still unsettled. The entire area of these Turkish possessions, including Fezzan to the Tropic of Cancer, is estimated at about 400.000 square miles with a population of from 800,000 to 1,300,000, about two-fifths of the inhabitants being in Benghazi. The population is mostly Berber, but Jews are numerous. The civil European population numbers 5,000 or 6,000, mostly Maltese and Italians; practically there are no Turkish settlers. Arabic is generally spoken, but Turkish is the official language. Until recently the province contained the headquarters (Jerboub) of the Mohammedan sect of the Senussiyeh. The principal towns are on the coast, Tripoli, the capital of the vilayet, with over 30,000 inhabitants, Benghazi with 15,000, Derna and Khoms; inland are the caravan halting places Ghadames, Murzûk, and Ghat.

The revenue of the vilayet (exclusive of that assigned to the Turkish debt) is mainly derived from customs, tithes, and a poll-tax (Verghi) usually of about 4s. 6d., but increased for the rich. Forced loans, however, are frequently demanded. The customs receipts amount to about 27,000l. a year. The revenue from other sources, and the expenditure for three years (ending March 13) were as follows:

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There are many abuses in the collection of revenue, but the financial system is (it is said) about to be reformed. The tithes will be retained but, instead of a poll-tax, a land and house-tax and an income-tax will be imposed, and existing immunities will be abolished.

Tripoli is occupied by about 10,000 Turkish troops. There was a body called the Kologhlu, consisting of several thousands of men resident about the capital who enjoyed certain privileges in return for military services which had become merely nominal, but this force has been disbanded. The Province is at present exempt from conscription but a system is sought to be introduced for local defence, the levies to serve for short periods and to enjoy certain privileges.

The products of Tripoli are only agricultural and scanty. Barley (the chief food of the people) and wheat are grown; the fruits are dates, olives, oranges and lemons; esparto grass is gathered for export; and cattle and sheep are bred. The exports, however, comprise ivory, ostrich feathers, goat skins, and other produce brought from the Sudan by caravans. The imports at Benghazi and Derna in 1903 amounted to the value of 263,3867.; and the exports to 491,5497. Of the imports, about one-third in value, and of the exports about one-half, are, respectively, from and to Great Britain. The total tonnage entered at Benghazi in 1903 was 87,393 tons, of which 51,767 tons was Italian and 11,605 tons British.

The principal means of communication inland are the caravans which follow long frequented routes. Tripoli (town) is connected by telegraph cable with Malta, and by land lines with Murzûk (Fezzan) and Gabes (Tunis).

British Consul-General at Tripoli.—J. C. Alvarez.
Consul at Benghazi.-C. S. Hampson.
Vice-Consul at Khoms.-J. Tate.

Diplomatic and Consular Representatives.
1. OF TURKEY IN GREAT BRITAIN.

Ambassador.-Stefanaki Musurus Pasha (Vizir).
Councillor of Embassy.-Abdul Hak Hamid Bey.
First Secretary.-Fahreddin Bey Roumbeyoglou.
Second Secretary.-Tueni Bey.

Naval Attaché.-Mahmoud Bey.

Imam.-Mehemed Redjai Effendi.

There are Consular representatives of Turkey at the following places :— Consul-General in London, Emin Effendi Feredjullah; at Liverpool, Kiamil Effendi.

Consuls or Vice-Consuls.-Birmingham, Dublin, Jersey, Newcastle-onTyne, Cardiff, Glasgow, Hartlepool, Hull, Leith, Manchester, Southampton, Sunderland, Swansea, &c.

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