The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-07-29
OUR TRADE WITH MANILA.
The United States Sells Many Goods in
the plilipDineS

the Philippines
WASHINGTON, July &.-Speclal-
"The Trade Of the Philippine Islands in
1877" IS the title OF an interesting docu-
ment. which has just reached the Bureau
OF Statistics. 1t is report OF the Brit
ish Consul at Manila, Mr. RawsOn Walk
er. and as 10 was received at the British
Consular office May 81 1898, it is probably
the latest and perhaps most accurate pic
ture OF commercial conditions in the Phil
ipplnes. which has been presented since
Admiral Dewey intensified public interest
In that spot.
Consul Walker estimates the 1891 i'm
ports into Manila at 100000 Of which
about one-half was Of Spanish origin, the
imports from other countries having ma
terialiy fallen of in 1897. while those from
Spain increased largely The exports
from Manila have he says increased in
the past year In several o. the trading ar
ticles notably tobacco. hemp and copra,
the dried kernel OF the cocoanut the
value Of which alone he estimates al
Si5 O00 0O0 while he estimates the sugar
crop al 100000 and hempt al $4,000 o'
lie makes no estimate OF the tobacco
exports. but says they are larger In 1877
than I'm former years
Consul Walker pictures local trade
conditions I'm way which Will greatly
interest merchants and manufactures
in the United states. prefacing his state
ments by eaying that his information is
mostly obtained from reliable British
merchants. since the Spanish statistics
are not obtainable until too old % be or
any value He says: "A decidedly bad
year for importers generally has just
closed. What with the upset Of business
owing 10 the insurrection or rebellion in
the islands the heavy decline In the value
OF silver and consequent drop I'm exchange
and the imposition OF a further per
cent. ad val0rcm duty on all imports
merchants may be said 10 have bad a
truly rough time TO contend with.
Consul Walker also reports some inter-
csting facts about harbor improvements
which were under way AT Manila when
ne wrote lie says: "l enclose with this
report "a plan Of the new harbor works at
this port which have been under con-
struction now for some years. ! am I'M
debtedf0r the plan to the courtesy OF me
experimenting engineer. Senior Don Edu-
ardO Lopez Navarro.
The works when completed Will De "a
great boon 10 shipping In general that
have now to ride outside I'm the roadstead
or bay some two or three miles from
Manila. Steamers drawing little water
and small craft can enter the River
Pasig.
Those engaged I'm the China trade, and
running between Hong Kong and Manila
under the British flag, discharge the bulk
Of their cargoes I'm lighters I'm the bay. and
then enter the River Pasig 10 continue
dischargng the remainder. The same
plan has 10 be carried out In loading the
steamers for Hong kong-Viz.: A certain
bulk Of cargo is put on board IN the
r1vcr before mentioned. and then the
steamers have TO steam outside I'm the
bay 10 take the remainder Of the cargo
on board. or course. loading or unload
ing I'm the bay cannot 90 on during many
DAYS during the typhoon season. and when
the notice Of three balls is hoisted as "a
signal by the harbor master that gale
is impending. then the vessels have TO
heave up their anchors and make a run
across the bay 10 Cavite. which is three
miles distant where there is a naval
and marine dock-yard as well ass shelter
When the works are concluded at the
port Of Manila there will be an abundance
Of room not only for mon-Of-war, but
for all kinds of mercantile craft seeking
TO discharge their cargoes. or coming I'm
ballast seeking freight Nhe Government
are also expecting a floating naval dock
from Europe to be placed I'm the bay at
SuDlc, some twelve hours steam from the
port Of Manila.
British engineers have already arrived
from England 20 superintend the placing
Of this huge floating dock or pontoOn I'm
position when IL arrives from Glasgow.
where il has been constructed. When
this work is completed the vessels COM
prising the Spanish Chinese squadron
will be able 10 be locked and repaired At
Subic instead OF having to go over to
Hong Kong. where they have often TO
wait weeks for their turn to enter the
dry docks
Consul Walker closes his interesting
report with the following statement.
"rhe only other work or Improvement
that has taken place since 7 wrote my
last report is the enlargement Of the
Iuneta.' or public promenade. which is
the fashionable rendezvous of the Span
ish military and civil authorities who Drive
in their carriages or sit down by the sea-
shore TO hear one Of the military bands
play. which take place every evening.
Several monuments of the ilustrious
dead who distinguished themselves in the
military history of Spain are 90 decorate
this enlarged promenade. the marble hav-
ing arrived for that purpose from Eu-
rope. and when the whole Of the improve
ments now under progress of being car
ried out are completed the Manila prom
enade will be able 10 vie with amy at
home or i'm the Far East for size pic
turesqueness and public convenience.