The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-08-08
A FRAUDULENT CLAIM.

The Mckinley organs stick with great
persistence to the statement that under
the operations of our high protective
policy there has been an increase in our
exports. Any reader who glances at
the figures for himself sees IN an in
slant that the increase comes from
shipments of wheat to relieve the neces-
sites of starving Europe with which
the tariff has nothing to do. The whole
truth about our exports and imports is
thus impartially given by Bradstreet's:
In a preliminary statement respecting
the foreign N of the United States
for the fiscal year ended June 30, the chief
of the bureau of statistics of the treasury
department notes in passing that the total
value of our exports and imports for the
period specified. 81, 1851, 72G, 90, 10 the largest
in our history, being SIPS 29, 904 in excess
of the like total for 1890-9l. about ~ per
cent. Contrasted with tine aggregate value
of our foreign shipments and imports for
1SSS-S9, the increase is found to have been
1870, 1913. So3, or fully % per cent. Importa-
tions decreased in value during the last fs-
cal year SIT, 524. 912. to 1927, 391, 2S4. about
two per cent, although still we'll above the
average annual value of importations for
ten preceding years.
The increases of values Of importations
were in the main, of coffee, raw silk and
sugar and molasses. The price of the first
named has reacted sharply of late and large
purchases have been made on American &C
count. The manufactured silk industry
hos ,iok al nm orair offar n "a d. %,,c >r
depression. and raw silk has been in de-
mand i'll consequence; and as some grades
of sngar have been put on the free list re-
ceipts Of the same have rapidly increased.
But decreases in value of importations hay.
ing dominated, instances of this movement
are naturally tue mo. o IN demand. First
Oh the list comes the item Of tin plates
which is easily perceived to be due. SO far,
to excessive receipts prior to and decreased
imports since the enforcement of the Nc
kinley bill. A like explanation accom-
pa1iiea decreased values of importatlons of
wooi@n goods and tobacco and manufac-
tures thereof, and textile grasses.
Tho value Of importations free Of duty
within tho past twelve months has prratiy
increased, the proportion of the total of
the same amounting for lS9l-.2 to T., ner
cent as compared with 43 per cent in 1890
81. The value of exports of domestic mer-
chandise in 1892 was $l.0l5. 7S9, COZ. tue fi!gt
year III which our exports attained to ST.
COL, 900, 900. The value of our exports of
foreign merchandise was Sl4, GAG, Ol9. Dur
ing the past tisca! yesc the value Of
exports of domestic me1chandise was Sl4a-
I'll. 324 in excess of the Talne of such tx
ports during the preceding fiscal yer.
There was a large increase in tho lxDnuis
of braadstuffs. and a small increase ia the
value Of exports of fruits, seeds, copper ard
manufactures thereof, animals and oil cake.
Bat there was II decrease in the value of er-
ports of cotton, mineral oil, sugar refined.
and provisions. The phenomenal increase
in the quantity of breadstufls exported,
notably wheat and flour, will explain the
much vaunted increase in our excess OF
value of exports as contrasted with proceed.
ing years. Thus, the valueof all domestic ex.
ports in 1891 81 was $l43. 5l9, 1924 more than il
the preceding year. but the gain that yea
in value of flour. wheat. corn. oats, etc., al
contrasted with 1s90-91 amounted to full,
S173. FOG. 945. Inssmuch as a famine il
Russia and short wheat and rye crops ovel
continental Europe had much to do with
calling on the UA~s1 States for 81, GOO. OO(