Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1898-05-05
OUR FOREIGN TRADE.
GAIN IN EXPORTS UNDER uN.
FAVORABLE CONDITIONS.

Large Increase Shown in Food Stuffs
and in Many Articles of Domestic
Manufacture, Tos ether with Heavy
Decreases in Imports.
Exports of American Manufactures.
The classified returns of the foreign
trade movement for February present
some very interesting facts. There
seems to be disposition among those
who are continually searching for
something upon which to base an unfa-
Vorable criticism of the operations of
the protective tariff, to comment upon
the fact that exports of American man:
ufactures show only a small percent
age Of gain when compared with the
largely increased percentage Of agri-
cultural exports. It is claimed that this
result is due to the levying of duties
upon free raw materials and thereby
Increasing domestic prices.
The protective tariff had nothing
whatever to do with the comparatively
small gain in exports Of American man
ufactures during February. The food
requirements Of Europe have been
enormous since the harvest returns
demonstrated the fact that Europe's
food supplies would have to be largely
obtained from the United States until
this seasons crops became available.
These food requirements have taxed
the purchasing power Of foreign coun-
tries to the utmost, high prices of food
products have been maintained, and,
therefore, severe economy has had to
be exercised by the people.
Very naturally, under these cond-
tons, articles that could be were dis
pensed with, and quite naturally pref
erence was largely given to goods Of
home production and manufacture.
This of itself will, to a great extent, ac-
count for the lessened inquiry for goods
of American make.
The political tension in Europe,
caused by the far eastern situation,
since the beginning Of the year, and the
reflection abroad of the tension in this
country caused by the disaster to the
Maine, We're doubtless Important fac
tors contributing to influence the Euro
pean demand for American manurac-
lures. And presumably the unsettled
condition Of affairs in China and Japan
resulted in a diminution of American
trade with those countries. Not only
were these political factors directly
potent but they must have had an in
direct depressing influence upon bust
ness in Europe, thus lessening the
home demand for all goods, whether Of
domestic or American manufacture.
Under these circumstances it may be
regarded as surprising that there was
any gain whatever in exports of Ameri-
can goods during February, and we
may not unreasonably look for a loss
for March, for then all the factors to
which we have referred were intensely
operative.
1t will be interesting to note the most
important features Of the classified re
turns of foreign trade in American man
ufactures for eight months Of the cur
rent fiscal year ending with February.
Agricultural implements show gains in
mowers, reapers and cultiyators;
$5,50O,00O, railway cars, $45O,00O, bicy-
cles $2SO,OO0, pig iron $1,000,OOO, steel
rails $780, 600, iron and steel plates $685.
600, locomotive engines 100000, print
ing presses 100000, typewriting ma
chimes 100000, all manufactures of
iron and steel 81, 100000, cotton seed oil
$1,20O,OOO, l1nseed oil 100000, printing
paper 81 $780, 900, writing paper, $52, 600,
hog products $9,000,0O0 cheese $780,
600, all provisions $16,00O,000, manu-
features Of silk, $4,000, confectionery
$4,000, carpets $4,000, all manufac-
lures Of wool $4,000.
The imports of manufactured goods
show decreases in art works Of 81, $780,
600, books, etc, 100000, manufactures
of brass $4,000, opium $1,OOO,0O0,
watches $4,000, cotton cloth $4,000,
cotton clothing $4,000, knit goods
100000, all manufactures of cotton ST.
100000, decorated china $1,200,0O0, bur
laps $1,100,00O, manufactures of fax
100000, tin plate 100000, manufac-
lures of silk $2,70O,OOO, cane sugar &c.
100000, toys 100000, clothing wool 3d.
100000 codnbing wool 100000, ready
made clothing 100000, dress goods $3,-
100000, cloths $4,50O,0OO, rags, oils and
wastes S1,2O00O0.
The returns showing imports of tex
tiles for February compared with~the
same month last year are likewise Of
interest as illustrating the effects of the
Dingley tariff upon raw material and
fabrics protected thereby. The value
of imported cotton cloth fell off $4,000,
while that of prints increased $13O,
cotton clothing decreased $S5,O0O, knit
goods $4,000, laces increased $4,000,
and yarns $4,000; fax fibers Gree
show a decrease of 1927, 900, while the
dutiable increased $105,000; raw silk
increased $1,O35,O00, and silk goods
S1SO,OOO; raw wool decreased So, 1885,
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