Carriage roads and mule trails are sufficiently numerous in the Republic. Some of them are good and in fair condition, but the majority leave a great deal to be desired. It is that absence of railways and well-constructed roads which, until now, has been the principal obstacle to the development of the natural resources of Guatemala. MAILS. Guatemala entered the Universal Postal Union in 1881. The mail service is perfectly organized according to the best systems in operation in Europe and the United States. There are in the country 157 post-offices. In 1886 the mails carried 3,987,489 pieces; in 1887, 4,523,385, and in 1888, 5,101,342. The money orders sent to the interior of the Republic during 1888 amounted to $1,229,303 The expenses of the mail service in 1888 were.. The receipts for the same period produced.. Leaving a deficit of............... .$66. 193. 70 42, 694. 34 23,499. 36 TELEGRAPHS. Telegraph lines bring the principal points of the country in communication with each other. On the 31st of December 1889, they ran about 2,000 miles and had 93 offices. The number of dispatches forwarded in 1887 was 406,533, and in 1888, 457,009. The receipts for 1888 were. $198, 778. 25 And the expenses, including the repairs of the old lines and the construc tion of new ones, amounted to. 161, 976. 10 Leaving a net profit of 36, 002. 15 Duties on Imports. DERECHOS DE IMPORTACIÓN. The tariff of Guatemala as here printed is the latest official publication of that country; but a number of decrees modifying the same have been issued, principal among which is the one promulgated October 23, 1885, augmenting the duties 20 per cent on all merchandise imported into the country; consequently that percentage should be added to these rates. The Guatemalan peso was valued by the Director of the Mint of the United States October 1, 1891, at 72.3 cents. Las mercaderías que se importen en la República se dividen en seis clases: (1) Artículos exentos de de- (6) Comercio con la República Mexicana. Los aforos que se establecen en este código serán la base para el cobro de los derechos de importación. II. Anchors and hauling lines. charitable institutions. Articles imported for their own use by diplomatic ministers residing in the Republic, provided the privilege is reciprocal and the provisions of this code are complied with. Consuls and vice-consuls do not enjoy the exemption. Baggage of passengers, the term including all articles of personal use and indispensable instruments belonging to SECCIÓN II. Exento de Derecho. Anclas y andariveles. Animales vivos para raza, ó disecados. Efectos que se importen por cuenta de la nación ó de las municipalidades, para el servicio público ó de los establecimientos de beneficencia. Efectos que para su uso introduzcan por su cuenta los ministros diplomáticos residentes en la República, siempre que haya reciprocidad y se cumpla con los requisitos que este Código establece. Los consules y vice-consules no gozan de esta exención. Equipaje de pasageros, entendiéndose por tal los objetos de su uso individual los instrumentos indispensables de su *The regulations respecting the trade with Central America and with Mexico are not here translated |