Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1889-09-19
UNCLE SANS TRADE.

UNCLE SANS TRADE.
Foreign Countries with which the United
States Exchanges Commodities.
A correspondent wishes to know
with what countries of the world the
foreign trade of the United States is
largest. He is aware that Great
Britain is both the largest customer OF
this country and that country from
which the imports are heaviest He
desires to know what countries come
next ON the list.
It is true that the trade with Great
Britain is by far greater than that
with any other country. The returns
for the year that has just ended-the
year ends with the month of June
have not yet been prepared. but the
proportion varies but little from year
to year. and therefore the figures for
1888 will do very we'll
In that year the total imports into
the United States were valued at seven
hundred and twentyfour million dol
lars, of which one hundred and sew
enty-eight millions. or nearly one
fourth. came from Great Britain. The
domestic exports were valued at six
hundred and eighty-four millions, of
which three hundred and fifty-eight
millions. or fifty-two per cent, went
to Great Britain. More than thirty
trade was with the British Isles.
Next came Germany. One-tenth OF
all the imports and eight per cent. of
the exports, in round numbers, are to
be credited to the German trade.
France was not far behind. She sent
to the United States nearly one-tenth
of all the foreign goods imported in
the year we are considering. and five
and one-haf per cent. of the exports
were shipped thither. r.
If now we unite these three cOun
tries. Great Britain. France and Ger
many, we shall find that the imports
from them all amounted to more than
three hundred and twenty-seven mill
lions, and the exports to them to more
than four hundred and fifty millions.
This was in. in each case. more than
forty per cent. of the whole foreign
trade of the country.
the trade for the rest of the world, and
this trade is much scattered. All Eu-
rope. including the countries we have
named. sent but fifty-six per cent. of
the imports and took less than eighty
per cent. of the exports.
There are some large figures left.
The imports from the West Indies
reached the sum of seventy-one mill
lions; the exports thither were twenty
seven millions. From South America
goods were imported valued at eighty
four millions. while the exports were
twenty eight millions. Asia and
Oceanica stand in the import list for
eighty-eight millions, and in the ex-
port list for thirty three millions.
The trade with the Sandwich Islands
is also of quite large proportions
result which is due to the operation of
the reciprocity treaty with that coun-
try; and the trade is increasing. ssxsa
Outside of Europe the best trade is
undoubtedly that with Canada, not
only because it is the largest in
amount. but because the imports and
exports nearly balance each other.
The total value of goods passing in
both directions between Canada and
the United States was almost eighty
million dollars.
While enormous imports of sugar
from Cuba, and of coffee and other
articles from Brazil, swell the trade OF
those countries, the United States has
no larger customer for its own goods
except those that have been named
already, but Australia took eleven
million dollars worth of American
merchandise. Mexico uine millions,
and Brazil seven millions.
Renewed interest is to be noted
among some of the large merchants
of the. country in the South American
trade. There is no doubt that if the
proper means were taken it would be
possible to increase this part of the
foreign trade greatly. But the ques
ton what are the proper means i
much in dispute, and unfortunately il
is discussed as political matter in
stead of a purely commercial problem
and when that is the case it is we'll
nigh hopeless to expect that any thins
whatever will be done.
But the foreign trade is constantly
increasing and broadening, and tn,
time is coming when this country viii
be q competitor in every market il
the world with its great commercia
rivals. Great Britain. Germany ant
France. Youths Companion.
| NAMES RICHEST MAN.
| He Makes Himself Pleasant to Stranger
/ and HelDa StruGxlin~ Youfha.