The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-19
PORTO RICo.s TRADE.
Statistics That Are Interesting in
View of the Coming Invasion.

WASHINGTON, July 1S.--In view of the
present war plans comprehensive statist-
ical report on the trade of Porto Rico, just
prepared under the direction of Frank H.
Hitchcock, chief of the foreign markets sec
ton of the Agricultural Department, and
approved by Secretary Wilson, is of unusual
interest. 1t shows for the first time the
figures Of the commerce for 1896 of Spain S
easternmost West India island During the
calendar year 1896 the foreign trade of Porto
Rico, according to the official returns, at
tanned a total value of $36, ga 120, exceeding
all previous records and being a gain in the
year of more than $15 600, 00O In 1926 the
total imports and exports had an annual
value of $780, ,535, as against $24, 961 217 in
1SS7-91. Imports into Porto Rico generally
have somewhat exceeded exports. but in
1896 for the first time in over a decade the
value of the merchandise shipped to foreign
markets was slightly greater than that of
the previous years.
The foreign trade of Porto Rico is con-
Quoted chiefly with Spain, the United
States. Cuba, Germany, the United King
dom and France, having an average annual
value of $9,SSSO74, which was rs. 80 per cent. of
the total valuation placed upon the islands
commerce. The United States ranked sec
aging $6,&5,252. year, or 1914 per cent.
Cubas trade with Porto Rico amounted to
13.A per cent. of the total, having an aver
age yearly value of 81, ,220.
In 1896, the latest year covered by the
Porto Rican statistics which Mr. Hitch
COCK succeeded in obtaining in advance in
directly from the colonial administration of
the island, there were, besides the six coun-
tries cited, nine other countries with which
the island had a trade exceeding 100000.
They follow: British possessions other than
last Indies, $2,OS9149; Italy, $l,O47S4S;
Hungary, $3.50, 1888; Belgium, 1921, 7O1; Argen-
tine, SOL, Si4; Uruguay. 1923, 1893; the Neither
lands. $17O5S6, and Denmark, $137,215.
Spain trade with Porto Rico, according
to Spanish returns increased in value from
$4S2S, 779 in 1887 to $l2644,955 in 1896. The
chief gain was in exports from Spain to the
26S,49S, against only $2,411,216 for 1887. Dur
ing the same year imports from Porto Rico
advanced from $2,5lS,565 to $5,976,457
The islands exports consist almost en-
tirely OF agricultural products. OF imports
manufactured articles do not greatly ex-
coed the agricultural. Agricultural imports
chiefly of rice, wheat flour and hog products.
Nonagricultural imports were valued at &c.,
664 ,101 the chief goods being cotton fabrics,
whose imports reached $20lO,667 in 1897. Fish,
WOOL leather and tobacco also were extern
sively imported. Most of the rice imported
is supplied by the British West Indies, Ger
leaoing products of the island are the i'm
portant factors in Porto Ricos export trade,
comprising in value fully IS per cent. of all
the merchandise sent to foreign markets.
The quantity of coffee shipped in 1895 was
40 24369 pounds and it's value 50, 159, 1885, while
of Porto Rican sugar 1872 ,277 pounds. with
a value of 1896, TAI, were marketed abroad.
In addition 10 the sugar $539,51 worth of
molaSSes was shipped. OF leaf tobacco g.,
665 ,051 pounds worth $673, 781, were shipped
in 1895. Cattle shipments for 1895 numbered
1874 head, valued at $141,S16. Other agri-
are maize, hides, fruits, nuts and distilled
spirits.
Coffee shipments increased notably during
the decade, 1896 reports being the largest or
the ten years treated by Mr. Hitchcock-5S-
10000 pounds, valued at $13,S79,O10. The
average annual shipment 1926 was $i0-
S12 900, against &,945,000 in 1SS7-91. On the
other hand, sugar, molasses and tobacco
showed marked declines. The coffee ex-
ported goes most extensively to Spain and
Cuba, these two getting over half. Most of
the sugar and molaSses is destined for the
United States, with Spain a second Gus
toner. Spain and Cuba receive most of the
tobacco, the trade with the United States
not being large. SPANS imports of coffee
from Porto Rico steadily rose during the
decade Is 170,170 pounds, valued at $3.27S 731.
1896 being a record breaker. Sugar exports
to Spain increased less rapidly, although the
size of imports increased in value
Spains nonagricutural imports from
Porto Rico are principally bags and sacks,
guanO and tobacco manufactures. OF her
exports cotton fabrics constituted about 80
per cent. of all merchandise shipped in 1892
SO. Leather, soap sandals, hats and caps,
paper and it's manufactures and candles
came next in manufactured products, while
agricultural exports comprised rice, olive
oil, wines and canned goods.