Morning journal and courier., 1880-08-11
News by Telegraph FROM ALL QUARTERS. AMERICAS TRADE. Our Showing Ahead of All
 Other Countries. The Wonder of Nations. A Remarkable Increase of
 Exports.
 Work OF tERe Flames. A EBig HsIaze sat Hunters
 Point.
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.

port of Secretary Eyarts-FseviVa1 of 1 European Trade-A Good Showing for the United States - The Balance of Trade in Our Favor.
 WASHINGTON, Aug. 1O.-In a letter ad-1 dressed to the Speaker of the House dated 1 May l. Secretary Evarts submits his annual l report upon the commercial relations of the United States with foreign countries for the year 1879. The report contains very many interesting features. The Secretary saysE In submitting my annual report upon our com mercial relations with foreign countries for
 the year 1879, it is pleasant to be able to state l that the promises held out in our consular reports during the last two or three years Of 8 general revival of trade and industry in the several countries of Europe were realized in 1879. While it may not be safe to indulge in any forid expectations of springing from de- pression and Reorganization of the past six or seven years into immediate prosperity, for recovery is slow or swift according to the magnitude and intensity of the depression and Reorganization, it would seem from the reports transmitted herewith as well as
 from still later information received that European trade and industry
 had touched their lowest depth during the latter part of 1878 that during the first
 six months of 1879 the preparatory or clear
 ing up period had arrived, and that 8 posi-
 tive revival took place during the last six
 months of the latter. As the incentive to
 this revival came from the United States,
 and as almost its total propulsion thus far has
 been due to the demands from this country
 beg to invite your attention to the fulfill
 ment of European hopes in this regard Notwithstanding the fact that the
 
 United States during the year 1879 has re-
 suited in enlarged importation hither, a
 continuation thereof, especially in the line of
 manufactures, can scarcely be expected by
 Europe Leading manufacturers and econo-
 mists of Europe would seem to share in this belief and accordingly combat the danger of relying upon permanent increase in exports
 to the United States. They reason thus
 The sudden revival in the United States found home manufacturers somewhat unprepared to meet the new demands, while long con tinued stagnatlon in Europe and anxiety of European producers to get rid of their dead stock were highly favorable for American purchasers in that quarter, hence the comparatively large increase in exports to the United States during the last half of the year 1879. The character of the exports which show this increase proves that Euro pean manufacturers, unless in special lines wherein our own manufactures are yet unde- 
 a very moderate increase in their sales to the United States. The increase in exports from France, England and Germany during 1879 will be better understood from the following statement: France increase SIC, ,388, GOO, occurring principally in dress goods, silks wines, etc. Germany, increase 55,O0o,- 0OO principally in fancy goods and cotton manufactures a very marked decrease took place in silk goods and silk ribbons. Great Britain, increase, $27 7,000,00 of this in crease pig iron, tin plate, old and scrap iron cast iron, tin, wool and alkali articles nec- essary to industries, constituted about $1G,- 0O0 GOO, leaving the increase in manufactures principally in linen and jute goods, railroad hon, woolen goods and earthen and china ware, about $11, ,0G0, 900. The foreign in crease of SIP OO0, ,O00, which would scarcely be noted in normal times. owing to the de- pressed condition of trade, gave hope and re- newed courage to all Europe.
 In addition to general revival of trade and industry the year 1879 marks an epoch in the commercial economy of the world. The tariff laws of Germany, which went into ef- feet during that year, marshalled all Europe, England and the Netherlands excepted, into line on the protective question. The acknowl- edgnent by Germany of her inability to com pete with the other nations Of Europe in manufactures without the adoption of the most ultra-pSOtective measures, is a severe comment on her fancied security in cheap and economical labor against the protected labor of her neighbors. Not only did the German people, that is those who were concerned in the special interests affected, deniand protection against French, English and Belgian manufactures but the loudest demands came from those in terests which were endangered by American manufacturers and products. The result is 1 that Germany, whose industry and cheap la | bor were supposed to overmatch all other countries has gone further i'll her protective | principles than any other country, even tax | ing foreign breadstuffs and provisions to save her home industries in this line almost to 1 prohibition. The Netherlands being princi- | cipally an international intermediary in com 1 merce, finds in free trade her best protec- l tion. England may therefore be set down as l the only free trade country in Europe, but 1 there is growing feeling in favor of protec- 1 tion eveR in England.
 The agitation in the United States at pres ent for revision of our tariff laws seemed l specially to demand that I should call your 1 attention to the foregoing facts concerning 1 the present attitude of F1urope in this regard l It seems to me that any action 1 looking to a change in our present tar l iff which would leave its international | application and complications out of view, l would be an unwlse and narrow treatment of | so important question. After maintaining l tariff, when Europe was mostly free to open | our ports, now when Europe has closed all l her ports against us is a subject which re- quires the most disinterested and patriotic consideration. In conclusion the Secretary gives resume of the worlds trade.
 No other country has such favorable 1 trade showing as ours. The total balances of trade in favor of all countries do not l amount to one-haIf the balance of trade in favor of the United States. Cur exports of l breadstuffs and provisions and of other ma tional products, which constitute so large a |
 C., ,71 !, creasing until they have excited the wonder | of nations. In regard to our exports in man. ufactures it can be said that it has passed | from an experimental to an assured stage.