The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-08-13
The AFRICAN TRADE
EXPORTS FROM THIS COUNTRY
RAPIDLY INCREASE
What Is Needed Is a Little Push for
This Country to Take the Bulk
Of the Business

Tribune from Washington says:
Not only is 1t true as asserted by Con-
sui General Stowe in his long report to the
State Department as to imports in South
Africa, made from Cape Town, that trade
in that region has untold possibilities, and
that one Of its obvious features at present
Is the foothold gained by United States
goods, but 1t is also true that the trade of
this country with the British and Dutch
communities of Southern Africa, tends TO
weld together In a common brotherhood
the people who are interested in the trade
and strengthen the bonds that bind them
In sentiment. These are the worlds
freest and possibly happiest communities.
1t Is, therefore, matter of deep interest
to the lover Of free government on TIE
original Teutonic model. as we'll as to the
enterprising tradesmen and manufactur-
ers that the commerce Of this republic in
South Africa is largely on the increase
and has reached a respectable stage Of de-
velopment.
Consul General Stowe deals at length
not only with the subject of imports into
South Africa. but he also separately con-
siders the commerce of Cape Colony, that
OF Natal. the proposed tariff changes in
Cape Colony, the American vines In South
Africa, and South African law regarding
commerce, agents and the telephone in Cape
Colony. The seventeen broad pages Of
printed reports are well worthy of study,
but their contents can only be indicated
here.
The trade Of. the United States Is mainly
In feed stuffs. Among the articles men,
toned as having held their own last year,
are electrical goods and appliances, steel
and iron, galvanized iron, tools. hoes.
forks, hardware, silver-piated ware, furni-
ture and window glass. An improved de-
mand for drilling and hoisting machinery
and oil gas engines 1t noted. England, It
is stated, sent more goods IN 1897 than ever
before English shippers urge that they
are not on the same footing with Ameri-
cans and Germans. They hope that pre-
ferential rates to American shippers will
be withdrawn.
The imports into South Africa last year
aggregated $129,150,12B, of which Cape
Colony took ss7.14s90. This trade came
from the following countries: Great Bril-
tain and her possessions. $3S, 670, 062; United
States, 13'151,O71; Germany. $5,122,7SS; other
competing countries, $15,7452o1; foreign
countries not competitive, SC, $50. 665.
Germany Is preparing to foster her trade,
initiating the United States In classes of
goods and methods of packing. Her pro-
portional trade at Delagoa Bay is shown to
be large. She sends to South Africa a
monthly trade and export journal. In order
to make known German industry and prove
it's ability to compete with all civilized ma
lions. British manufacturers are calling
attention to the attractive advertising of
Americans.
In the trade with the United States, the
principal increases stated In the table are
flour. lard, clocks and watches, cotton
manufactures and raw tobacco. Timed
beef. agricultural implements. sewing
machines, hides and bacon show decreases.
The heavy loss Of cattle and crops caused
loss of importations of implements, vehic-
les. etc. The table Of items of merchandise
imported from this country is three pages
and half long of fine type and embraces
a large number of articles. Mr.. Stowe Is
surprised at the small imports of fish,
particularly cured fish. such as mackerel.
salmon; halibut, etc. He thinks Ameri-
cans ought to have the glue trade Of South
Africa. With the large apple crops, Am
orleans send no cider. England furnishes
all the malt. How much Of this, says
from the United States?
OF wire fencing produced 80 largely In
the United States. England sent twice as
much of this country. And SO on. Bacon
and other salt cured meast are imported
from the United Kingdom in the ratio Of
ten to one, as compared with the United
States. Yet the bulk Of raw meat came
from the latter.
The United States the great silver pro-
ducing country, sent only about $40, 900
worth of silver-plated ware, TO Great
Britain's nearly $4,000. 1t is pretty much
the same way as to manufactured to-
bacco and worse as to whisky by COMPARE
son with the United Kingdom.
The total imports OF Cape Colony for
1897 were ST. A4,4 1872; for 1893. ST. ,74s. The
exports were respectively $2s,441, $40 and
$37, 1878.
The total exports Of woods from Durham,
East London, Port Elizabeth and Cape
Town, Of which the 1ast-named exported
less than any, were, for 1897, 80.s23. 327
pounds-nearly 100000 pounds less than
1886.
The revenue of Natal for 1897 was $40.
76982S; expenditures. $7,9cS.033. The value
of imports was $29,119,13s. against $2s, 463, :
1855 In 1886. The exports were 81, S93, 1882. They
were in 1885, $s6s8,5N. The decrease is
credited to the rinderpest locusts and
drought.