The vast increase in exports during latter years has naturally
attracted considerable imports of gold; and, as showing the wealth
and stability of the Republic, it may be mentioned that the
Conversion Fund created by law in 1901 to secure the national
issues of paper and nickel currency (which was then to consist of
appropriations from certain sources of revenue until a total of
$30,000,000 had been obtained) showed at December 31st, 1913, gold
reserves in the Caja de Conversion to be $233,197,727, or
considerably more than 60 per cent. of the entire issues of paper
and nickel currency.