The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1890-11-14
UNCLE SANS TRADE
Foreign Countries with which the United
states Exchanges Commodities.

L Foreign Countrio9 Win mon tno WIVES
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 lie
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 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
18S7-8S will do very we'll.
In that year the total imports into
the United States were valued at seven
hundred and twenty-four million dol
lars. OF which one hundred and sew
enty-eight millions. or nearly one.
fourth. came from Great Britain. The
domestic exports we're valued at six
hundred and eighty-four millions, of
which three hundred and fifty-eight
millions. Of ffty-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 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-half per cent. OF the exports
were shipped thither.
II 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 mil
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.
This leaves about sixty per cent OF
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 aud 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 mil
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
lightweight millions, and in the ex-
port list for thirty-three millions.
The trade with the Sandwich Islands
Is also Of quite large proportions-s
result which is due to the operation OF
the reciprocity treaty with that eoun-
try; and the trade is increasing.
Outside Of Europe the best trade 10
undoubtedly that with Canada, not
only because 1t 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 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 be
possible to increase this part of the
foreign trade greatly. But the ques.
ton what are the proper means 10
much in dispute, and unfortunately 1t
Is discussed as political matter in
stead of a purely commercial problem.
and when that is the case it is well.
nigh hopeless to expect that any thing
whatever will ha dome
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 commercial
rivals, Great Britain. Germany and
France.-Youth's Companion.