The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-10-02
OnR ExPORTs AND IliPORTs.

The official report of foreign commerce for
the month Of August. which has been recently
issued exhibits a condition of trade which
must afford the highest qualification to all
who give close attention 20 this branch Of the
public interests. This report shows that the
foreign commerce of the United States during
August attained to volume wholly unexam-
pied in tho history OF this country, enormous
es il has been for a number of years.
BY comparing the reports Of exports and
imports for August. 1891, with those for Au-
gust. 1890. we can form some idea of this vol
ume. In 1890 the exports for August were
f5C.ls9,3i5 AMI tho imports s6l, 200 40.
difference in favor of imports Of s50il.O25.
IN 1891 on the other hand. the exports for
August were 80, 1852 1888 and the imports s65,-
s9t.754. difference in favor OF exports Of
&C. e5s. o2q. In the two years il will be seen
from these figures that the balance was exactly
reversed.
The balance in favor OF exports during the
present year is chiefly due to the enormous
amount of breadstuffs which have been sent
abroad TO meet the deficiency created by the
failure Of the European crops, but there has
also been O heavy expectation of q great va
riety of other articles of less importance
separately estimated, but Of great value in
the aggregate.
The amount OF exports for the single
month Of August is a very good indication Of
the volume of exports for the year ending
with August These exports amounted TO the
~ md se
puted that the exports for the twelve months
ending with September will carry these
figures up to 1913 100000. If the official re-
port yet TO be compiled shall show that these
figures are substantially correct, the most re-
markaoIe year in the history of the foreign
commerce of this country will have been re-
corded
TO this volume OF foreign shipments there
should be properly added the exports which
pass across our Canadian and Mexican
borders by rail without being estimated in
value at all. or if so without much regard to
accuracy. Ten years ago these shipments TO
neiehboring countries amounted to very
little comparatively speaking. but with the
extension of our international lines of rail
way they have annually increased in volume
and in value until it is now thought that at
least go GOO 600 Of products of various kinds
pass across our Northern and Southern
boundary lines without any official record
being made of the fact
The increase in imports has been in articles
on which the tariff duties were either reduced
OF allowed to remain as they were Tho
growth in the volume of imports is very prop
erly conceded to be favorable sign. inasmuch
as it indicates that the purchasing power Of
the American people is rapidly increasing
Their wealth is growing and as it does So
they are more disposed TO buy both at home
and abroad.
In tho month Of May. $50, $50, eco of gold
were exported from tho United States, while
in the month of August. the balance of gold
shipments was in favor of this country to the
amount of q, 222 5S7. During the August of
1890 the exports of gold exceeded the imports
by s4il 1888. The imports of silver for Au-
gust, 1891, amounted to 81, eco, 76S, while the
exports of the same month amounted 10
81. 1888. This is thought to indicate that
either the production of silver exceeds what
the Government can purchase or the holders
Of silver bullion have decided to ship part
of their reserves abroad because they are dis
satisfied with the prospect of silver in this
country