The Ten Republics. By Robert F. Porter. (G. Rontledge and
Sons. 2s. 6d. net.)—Mr. Porter's volume is an introduction to a series in which the condition of the South American republics—the Central American States—is to be reserved for future treatment. Possibly there is just a little more of the rose colour in Mr. Porter's picturing than some artists would have used, but his book is full of interesting facts. The republics, on the whole, are prosperous, but the recent growth of their commerce is chiefly to be seen in the Argentine and Brazil. These increased their exports and imports from 207 millions in 1908 to 246 in 1910. Chili, Uruguay, Peru, Bolivia, and Venezuela show an aggregate increase of four millions ; Ecuador remains stationary, and Paraguay has gone back a little. But the first two divide between them more than two- thirds of the whole. Of this trade Britain has about a third ; France and Germany divide another third between them. But there is a vast amount of British capital invested in these countries. The return of it is estimated at thirty millions annually. Who does not remember the widespread trouble which was caused some years ago by the "slump " in Argentine securities ?
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