The following table of exports and imports serves to show the progress of Mexican com merce during a very active decade of its history: In order to show the relative importance of the Mexican custom houses, both maritime and frontier, the following statement of collections of import duties for the fiscal year 1912-13 is given : Vera Cruz, $81,793,000; Tampico, $45, 832,000; Laredo, $18,866,000; Juarez, $3,386, 000; Progreso, $11,248,000; Ciudad Porfirio Diaz, $4,387,000; Nogales, $1,857,000; Mazatlan, $2,514,000; La Morita, $6,057; Frontera, $1, 486,000; Agua Prieta, $1,208,000; Soconusco, $16,061; Guaymas, $2,239,000; Acapulco, $611, 342; Isla del Carmen, $264,317; Ensenada, $383,662; Mexicali, $682,788; Chetumal, $480, 602; La Paz, $206,722; Tuxpam, $743,322; San Blas, $151,602; Salina Cruz, $624,570; Tijuana, $212,847; Topolobampo, $147,310; La Ascen cion, $52,730; Camargo, $5,540; Mier, $9,707; Puerto Angel, $10,827; Manzamillo, $1,486,000; Matamoros, $1,680,000.
In the upbuilding of the foreign commerce of Mexico, the construction of railways made possible the phenomenal results that have been achieved since 1898. The entire foreign trade of the country, practically. has been created since 1876, most of it since 1880. Before corn petition in the transportation of freight was provided, the rate from Vera Cruz to Mexico City, 264 miles, ranged around $68 per ton, going as high as $330 during the French inter vention. Formerly almost all the first-class furniture imported by Mexico came from France, but now much of it is supplied by the United States and some of it is made at home. Most of the importations of agricultural machinery and implements are from the United States. The same is true of food stuffs, lum ber, machinery for irrigation works, supplies for mining and for steam and electric railways, unmanufactured leather, vehicles, boots and shoes, canned goods, patent medicines, live stock, cotton manufactures of steel and iron, sewing machines and typewriters. From Spain and France come most of the wines and cog nacs. In normal times Germany and Belgium had, previous to the European War, a monopoly of the hardware trade, England and France of the dry goods trade, and France of the trade in notions, jewelry and fancy goods. Among the leading articles exported by Mexico are coffee, two-thirds of which goes to the United States and the balance to England, Germany and France; vanilla, sugar, tropical fruits, beans, livestock, precious metals, henequen, leaf tobacco, hides, rubber and ixtli.
Mexico has a which dates back to 1887 and which, among other things, provides that foreigners shall be free to engage in commerce, subject to the same conditions and requirements that apply to citizens; that all documents referring to matters of public con cern shall be recorded in a public register; that all business correspondence shall be pre served; that notice by circular or through the press shall be given of the character of any business about to be established and of any modifications or other changes subsequently made; that at least three account books,— a general day book, a book of inventories and balances and a ledger,— shall be kept in the Spanish language; that all brokers must be Mexicans by birth or naturalization, have a mercantile education and possess a diploma from the Minister of Fomento or other proper officer; that an unlawful agreement or contract involves no cause of action at law; that mer cantile companies may consist either of a part nership under a collective name or with special partners, or may he an anonymous (stock) company, a society with special partners or a co-operative society; that all contracts for the formation of companies must he in writing and very full and explicit; that the consolidation of companies cannot take effect until two months after publication of particulars, except on payment of all debts; that foreign companies must register in Mexico and publish an annual balance sheet; that there may be or "profit-sharing" mercantile associations, the first being without a firm name and making partners jointly liable to third persons, and the last named implying an association under which two or more persons may become inter ested in operations which one or more may undertake in their own names, but which in volve only one legal entity and no responsi bility on the part of a partner not in a contract with a third party; that the principal of any manufacturing or commercial business shall be responsible for the acts of his mana gers or employees; that no institution of credit can be established except by authorization of the Minister of Finance and the approval of Congress; that every merchant ceasing to make his payments, whose liabilities are more than 25 per cent in excess of his assets, who has made formal assignment of his goods, or who has absented himself without leaving any person in charge of his business who can pay his debts as they become due, shall be considered a bankrupt.
Foreign commerce for year ending 30 June 1914 (estimate of exports) $176,000,000; (esti mate of imports) $65,000,000; total $241,000,000. For the year ending 30 June 1915, the estimate of the value of Mexico's exports was $150,000, 000; imports $61,000,000; total foreign com merce $211,000,000. Imnorts from the United States in the year last mentioned (estimated value) $34,200,000, and exports to the United States $115,000,000. The imports into the United States from Mexico in 1916 totaled $105,000,000 and the exports to that country reached $53,000,000 in the same year. In the nine months ending with March 1917, imports from Mexico were $80,692,000 and exports $47, 501,000. In May 1917 the Mexican government prohibited the exportation of food stuffs and food animals to the United States because of the depleted stocks and herds in the country owing to the revolution. See bibliography un der article MANUFACTURES.