The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-10-15
AMERICAN IMPORTS
INTO CHINA
THEY CONTINUE TO INCREASE
RAPIDLY.
Reports Received by the Treasury
Bureau of Statistics Show That
Imports Of other Countries Are on
the Decrease-oil Trade, However,
Is Endangered by Russia and
,necIa1 to the Scranton Tribune.

ports into China continue to increase,
while those of other countries decrease.
This is shown by the statement OF the
Chinese trade reports for 1897, just re-
ceived by the treasury bureau of sta
tistics, The document in question is
large volume of nearly 1000 pages,
and contains reports from the custom
officials Of all the ports of China, and
also a general statement from the
statistical secretary of the Chinese Gus
toms service. Mr. +. +. Taylor. who
calls attention to the general falling
off in Importation of cotton goods by
reason of the erection of local cotton
mills, but says. American goods, how
ever, continue to increase in favor
drills showing an Improvement of over
300. 600 pieces, jeans OF over $1,000 pieces,
and sheetings OF nearly 10000 pieces
but these are almost the only eXcep-
tions To the general decline. Drills,
except American. show a heavy de-
crease. while jeans improved. OF
sheetings except American, less were
imported by over a million pieces
MIR. Taylor's statement. however
contains a warning to American eX-
portcrS of Kerosene oil that their
trade in China is being endangered
by Russian and Sumatran oils. say
ing: american oil is finding vigorous
rivals in Russian and especially Suma-
tran oil. In 1894 the figures of impor-
tation were: American. 5l,570S53 gall
Ions; Russian. 1850 2S3 gallons; Suma-
tran, 53i,230 gallons; while in 1897 they
were: American, 4S.212,5O5 gallons;
Russian, 36,92il25 gallons, and Suma-
tran, 14,2l2,27S gallons"
AMERICAN COTTON.
The reports of the commissioners of
ustoms at the various po'Ci also con-
tain many statements of interest 20
American manufacturers Ctnmis-
sioner Lay, of Newchwang, says on the
question of growth of American trade
in cotton cloths: The rapidity with
which English drills have ben dsap-
pearing may be seen by noting that the
importation only four years ago
amounted to $4,000 pieces. while during
the period under review QS90 only g.
900 pieces arrived. The predominant
position secured by American drills
and sheetings referred to in past re-
ports is now one of sheer supremacy.
The most striking feature in the cata-
CORY of sundries is the overwhelming
importation of kerosene oil, in which
trade the supremacy of the American
brands is exceedingly pronounced, for
the large importation of $4,000 gallons
In 1896 has been eclipsed by the 2,041,-
900 gallons to the credit of the period
under review"
Commissioner Hippisley of Tientsin,
in his report says: "The notable in
creases in importation are 10000 pieces
jeans and twills, 100000 pieces in
american drills, and 175,O00 pieces in
american sheetings. American kero-
sene has arisen from 2,734,2 gallons
to 4.0oO.500 gallons; Russia from 3,246-
600 gallons to 5,2OS, $50 gallons, and
Langkat, from $4,000 gallons 10 10000
of China, he says: at is astonishing
how speedily Chinese, despite their re-
puted conversatism, adapt them
selves to a new environment and make
the most of increased transport facili-
ties offered them. Already Peking
fruit is sent direct to Tangku for ship
ment south and Peking is similarly
supplied with southern fruit; and trar-
ne generally developed so rapidly that
II soon became necessary to double the
line"
commissioner Carroll, of Chifoo
says: I'm cotton goods the most nota-
ble increases in importatiOns come un-
DER shlrtings of all kinds, Il, 66l pieces;
American drills 36. 704 pieces, and jap
aneSe yarn, while decreases are shown
IN English and Indian drills and sheet
lnSs, handerRerChiefs and towels. s.
2Sl,O6O gallons of American Kerosene
oil were imported during the year.
against 23SS,25O gallons in 1896: while
arrivals OF Russian kerosene (577 800
gailonS) more than doubled the record
or the previous year" Commenting on
the exports of silk goods the COM
missioner adds: The United States
markets are now practically closed on
account of the prohibitive import duty
levied as much as seventy per cent. in
sCme instances"
KEROSENE OIL.
Commissioner Hughes, OF Wuhu,
says: "Of forgotten sundries the most
important is kerosene oil the increase
in the importation OF which is some
thing phenomenal, having risen from
something over half a million gallons
ten years ago to over two and a half
million gallons in the year under re-
view. The American variety still holds
its supremacy"
commissioner ROcher, of Shanghai.
In his report, says: I'm cotton goods
with the exception of India r cloths.
American drills, English jeans. Ameri
can sheetings, cotton hastings and
japanese cotton cloth all of which show
substantial increase-there was a
downward tendency Shirtings and
drills from the United States and Can
ada largely outnumbered those of the
English make, for the reason. il is al
legged, that freight from America was
much lower than from England. Re
exports of cotton goods improved per
cent, American makes counting for a
good half of the appreciation. A con-
siderable expansion of the kerosene oil
trade is to be noted. Though Ameri
can oil retains its premier position
both Russia and Sumatra have taken
their fair share of the increase. The
proximity of Sumatra to the China
market gives the Langkat product an
advantage which has been fully
availed of and followed up by the es-
tablishment of bonded tanks at Poo
tung."
Commissioner Won Mollendorff. of
Ningpo, says: kerosene oil advanced
S-s'555 gallons. chiefly in American
produce" Commenting on the cotton
trade, he says: THE native cotton
mill established at this port has an
addition of 5000 spindles, and the mill
is run day and night without Interrupt
tion."
GRAIN CROP GOOD.
Commissioner Morehouse, Of Annoy,
remarks that owing to an unusually
good grain crop it was unnecessary to