The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1889-12-21
Uncle Sans Trade.

1OFeIkU tTdu0 VI tuc OuitSu oto'Co ~
largest. He ia 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.
1t is true that the trade with Great
Britain Is by far greater than that
with any other country. The returns
for the year that mas just ded-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 well.
In that year the total imports into
the United States were valued at
seven hundred and twenty -four mil.
lion dollars, of which one hundred
and seventy.eight millions, or nearly
one.fourth. came from Great Britain.
The domestic exports were valued
at six hundred and eighty-four mil
lions, of which three hundred and
eighty.four millions, or tifty-tWo per
cent, went to Great Britain. More
than thirty-seven per cent. of the
whole foreign trade was with the
British Isles.
Next came Germany, One-tenth
of all the imports ami 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. half per cent. of the exports
were shipped thither.
Ifnow we unite these three coun-
tries, Great Britain. France and Ger.
many. we shall find that the imports
from them oil amounted to more
than three hundred and tWenty-seyen
millions, and the exports to them to
more than four hundred and fifty
millions. This was in each case more
than forty per cent. of the whole for
eign trade OF the country.
This leaves about sixty per cent of
the trade for the rest of the world.
and this trade Is much scattered. All
Europe, including the countries we
have named, sent but f1ftysix 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 reach
ed the sum of seventy-one millions
the exports thither were tWenty.sev-
en- millions. From South America
goods were imported valued at eight
ty.fourlmillions, while the exports
were twenty eight millions. Asia
aud Oceanica stand in the import list
for lightweight millions, and in the
export list for thirty.three millions.
The trade with the Sandwich
Islands Is aiso of quite large proper.
tions-a result which is due to the
operation of the reciprocity treaty
with that country and the trade is
increasing.
Outside Of Europe the hest trade is
undoubtedly that with Canada, not
only because it is the largest in
amount, but because the imports aud
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 nine
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 he
possible to increase this part of the
foreign trade greatly, But the ques.
ton what are the proper means is
much in dispute, and unfortunately
1t IS discussed as political matter in
stead of a purely commercial prob
lem, and when that is the case it is
well-nigh hopeless to expect that any
thing whatever will be done.
But the foreign trade is constantly
increasing and broadening, and the
time Is coming when this country
will be competitor in every market
In the world with its great CONNER.
cial rivals. Great Britain, Germany
and France.