The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-09-09
Growth of Direct Trade.


The commercial progress of the south
gives evidence of the fact that it is at
tanning rapid material Development; and
yet the limit Of its resources is Something
that may not be reached within the next
century or even at still more remote
period. Col I. w. Avery. the weI-known
advocate OF direct trade through south
ern ports, has compiled an interesting sta
tistical article showing concisely and
clearly what progress the south has made
in the direction of foreign trade in the
last few years. In the increase of inter-
rational business. of imports and exports,
it is clearly shown that the south leads
America. OF course, country's exports
are more important from a business stand
point as Indicative of the degree of pros
Derity. The increase in exports through
southern ports in the fiscal year of 1897
as compared with that of 1895. has been
SlOo6s2. Az, or 1913 per cent. such an in
crease of exports in one yeaB through
the twenty-one ports of the southern
states. is nothing short of remarkable,
and it is an increase that gives promise
of continued growth. BY way of com
parison, it may be stated that the in
crease of exports from the 105 other ports
. of the United States has been in 1897 only
SIS, $50, 6Sl, ,or only Il per cent for the
year
The figures showing the imports are
also significant. The total imports through
southern ports in 1897 were So. lSO654. an
increase over 1896 of $5,075353, or 2S.19 per
cent This increase in imports through
southern ports has come, Notwithstanding
the fact that during the year in the whole
United States there has been a decrease
of Sl50O0,0OO in imports.
Putting these two sets of figures to-
gether the conclusion is very significant.
1t shows undoubtedly that there has been
an improvement in the direct trade move
ment Direct trade through southern
ports has been methodically agitated only
for about six years, but it is. clear that
some notable achievements have
been the result even though
there may have been no ex-
traordinarily large consolidated move
ments from any one section. There is no
doubt that these figures show that yes
sells which have been carrying cargOes
from the southern ports to foreign coun-
tries have been bringing back more than
in former years. In the first two years
J of the direct trade movement southern ex-
ports grew $S9,oOOOOo, while SlOi 100000 of
western exports went abroad through
southern ports, and southern imports
grew 25 per cent, as against per cent.
for the whole union. This growth has
undoubtedly been a natural one and with
proper trade conditions, it would
have come sooner than it did. "The
natural sovereignty of the short haul is
asserting ITSELF as Col, Avery says, and
the lines of transportation are gradually
being revolutionized. The proper course
for every southerner as well as for those
of other countries who are benefited there
by, is to conform to that revolution and
to CLEAN every advantage from it's prog
ress.
Twenty new direct and regular steam
ship lines have been established from
southern ports, Col. Avery states as a
result of this direct trade movement, and
hundreds Of millions Of dollars of traffic
yearly go abroad through the south, the
nearest and natural route, which before
have been exported by longer and other
routes. Among these new lines is includ-
ed no doubt that of the Georgia Export
and Import Company. which will begin to
take cargoes from Savannah to foreign
ports as soon as the shipping season fairly
opens. The formation of such companies
and the addition of such lines can only in
crease the foreign trade through south
ern ports and the advantage OF such
shipments are demonstrated as soon as
the lines are put into practical opera
ton. The results already attained are
indicative of a rapid but solid commercial
advancement, and with the good business
year that is before the farmers and other
classes as well. there is no reason why
this years shipments from the south to
foreign ports should not be several mill
lions larger than they have ever been be-