Guatemala.— No cotton is produced in Guatemala, i but (1917) it contains the only cot ton mill n Central America. This mill is owned and operated by an American and is located near Quezaltenango. It operates 6,000 spindles and 150 looms, and manufactures coarse colored cottons and unbleached sheet ing, called The cotton used in the mill is mainly American, but it also uses some Mexican and occasionally a little Peruvian.
Guatemala is the largest importer of cotton goods in Central America, and cotton manu factures make up the largest single import of the country, amounting to about 24 per cent of all imports and in some years to nearly a third. Of this trade previous to the European War England's share was about 53 per cent, that of the United States 24 per cent, that of Germany 18 per cent and all other countries the remain ing 5 per cent.
Of the total of $1,735,000 worth of cotton manufactures imported in 1913, the last normal year before the war, Great Britain supplied $778,000, the United States $504,000, Germany $337,000, and other countries $116,000. In 1914 Great Britain supplied $597,000, the United States $311,000, Germany $286,000, and other countries $95,000, of the total of $1,289,000 worth of cotton manufactures. The statistics of the United States Department of Commerce for 1917 showed exports of cotton goods to Guatemala valued at $471,635. The demand is mainly for goods that are staple articles in the United States.
Honduras.— Cotton is not cultivated in Honduras, though the cotton tree, which is indigenous throughout Central America, is found in all parts of the country. But the ex treme height of the tree, reaching 20 to 30 feet, makes it impracticable to• gather the fibre which is so very short that it is practically worthless for spinning. However, experiments have shown that both the soil and climate of Honduras are highly favorable to the success ful cultivation of upland and sea-island varie ties of cotton. There are no cotton mills in this republic.
The United States almost monopolizes the trade of Honduras, both imports and exports,. and just prior to the European War supplied the country with about 65 per cent of its total imports of cotton goods. The main imports in this class are prints, gray goods, colored and white goods. The United States has the bulk of the trade in gray goods and more than half of that in colored and dyed goods. England supplies most of the white goods, such as bleached muslins, fancy cottons, ginghams and drills. In 1908 our share in the, cotton goods import trade was less than per cent, in 1911 it increased to about 72 per cent and in 1914 to nearly 80 per cent. In 1916 the total value of our trade in cotton goods amounted to $523,688.
Nicaragua.— There is a limited area of Nicaragua that is suitable for growing cotton, and the cotton produced (from imported Mis sissippi seed) is said to compare favorably with American upland. The greater portion of the country, however, is too mountainous to raise cotton, and the area suitable for cotton, said to not much greater than 50,000 acres, is confined mainly to the western coast in the province of Chinandega, north of the port of Corinto. In 1908 a crop of 192,026 pounds was produced in 1912 it increased to 256,344 pounds, but in 1914 the yield was only 12,562 pounds.
Cotton cloth (hand-made) is produced in Nicaragua only in small quantities, the amount imported practically representing all that is used. The cheaper qualities of cotton cloth, such as gray and bleached sheetings, prints, ginghams and drills, make up the greater share of the textile imports. In 1908 the total value of imported cotton goods amounted to $909,000, and in 1913 to $1,022,846. In the latter year England supplied 55 per cent of the cotton cloth imported; the United States, 29 per cent; France, 7 per cent; and Italy, Germany and Spain smaller amounts. In 1914 the imports of cotton goods dropped in value to $828,000, and in 1915 to less than $600000. In the latter year there were no imports from Germany, and the decrease in the imports of cloth from England amounted approximately to 80 per cent. The value of our exports in 1915 was $259,528, and in 1916 $518,651. In 1917 cotton exports from Nicaragua were valued at $18,859.
Salvador.— No raw cotton is produced in Salvador, nor are there any establishments for the manufacture of cotton. The imports of cotton goods into Salvador are listed as cotton yarn and thread, and as cotton cloth and other manufactures of cotton, and while there are no details as to the kinds of goods imported, the manufactures of cotton form by far the largest importations, being from 33 to 35 per cent of the total. This trade is practically monopo lized by Great Britain and the United States. These countries on an average furnish 60 and 30 per cent, respectively; of the total and all other countries 10 per cent. In 1907 the total value of cotton goods imported amounted to $1,153,000, of which Great Britain supplied $653,736, the United States $331,721, and all other countries $167,673, and in 1914 to $1, 532,000, showing an increase of about 33 per cent. Of the 1914 total Great Britain supplied $847,724, the United States $462,491, Italy $105, 231, and other countries $117,017. In 1916 the imports from the United States increased in value to $735,144.