The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-07-19
BIG TRADE WITH HAWAII
UNITED STATES CONTROLS OVER 90
PER CENT. OF THE TOTAL.
Latest News of the Controversies with
Japan, Spain and the Violent
English Newspapers.

WASHINGTON, July 1S-Hawaiian COM
merce during the last ten years is the sub
tect of circular just issued by the De-
partment of Agriculture. The paper was
prepared by f. H. Hitchcock, chief of the
division foreign markets. under the direc-
ton of Secretary Wilson. The facts set
forth bear directly on the current discus
sion of the annexation of the Hawaiian ISL
andS to the United States and are as fol-
lows:
THE comparison of statistics shows that
the United States controls 80 per cent of
the entire trade Of the islands. The total
value of exports and imports of Hawaii for
1886 was $21,57S,SS2, of which about two
thirds, $l5,5l5,230 was the value of goods
exported. The value of exports of the ten
years, 1SS7-1897, was $11 O52, 141 and of i'm
ports 50, Az, 49, leaving an average balance
OF $5,6296S1 in favor of exports. OF this
traffic 9l.2O per cent. was with the United
States during the first five years of the dec
ade and in the second five years this lead
OF this country over other countries was in
creased to 91.92 per cent.
another impression of the situation may
be gained from the statement that our
trade with the island in 1885, according to
Hawaiian statistics, reached $20,924 306, the
largest amount ever recorded, while the
highest figures previously were for $780,
The United States, however, does not yet
hold so high position in furnishing goods
for Hawaii as in taking the products of the
Islands. or the average of exports for the
ten years, nearly ST, 600. 900 a year, the
United States has bought practically ALL
only one-haf of l per cent. has been sold
TO other countries. OF the goods purchased
by Hawaii, on the other hand the United
States furnished only about three-fotrths
However, it is chiefly in our sales to the
islands that the trade is growing. The an
nual average of these sales for the five
years 1SS7-lS91, was $4,3763l2, but for 1891
1896, $4,496,275; While the exports to Hawaii
for last year amounted to $5,464, 20S nearly
million dollars more than for any pre-
Vious year.
The goods coming from Hawaii to the
United States are mainly agricultural prod
ucts, while the shipments in the other di-
rections, except breadstuffs, are chiefly
manufactures. Our imports of sugar make
the largest item in the trade, while our i'm
ports of rice come next. Next in order are
our exports of breadstuffs, cotton goods
fertilizers, machinery, lumber tobacco
wire and chemicals. 1t is noticeable that
shipments of American live stock, meats
apples and corn amount to very little.
Prior to 1876 when the first reciprocity
treaty was made between the United
States and Hawaii, their total commerce
averaged only 81 $50, 496. Since that date a
comparatively steady growth has brought
the total to more than five times that
amount. Figures are furnished for the first
ten months of the fiscal year as compared
with the same period of 1896. They show
trade. The other countries whose trade
with Hawaii appears to be growing are
China and Japan, taken together, and Can
ada.