New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-01
THE GROWTH OF COMMERCE.
REMARKABLE INCREASE IN EXPORTS
FROM THE UNITED STATES

washington. March 81 (speciaD-The phenomenal
growth Of the foreign commerce OF the United
States when compared with that Of other coun-
tries. especially ms TO exports is shown by some
figures presented in report OF the Chief OF the
Bureau of Statistics which has recently been
made public. The table covers the exports Of the
principal countries of the world during the decade
lSSS-s1. the data from foreign countries for 1895
being az yet insufficient to make 1t practicable to
present a general comparison with the figures of
that year.
The table shows that decade ago France Ger
many and the United Kingdom exceeded. the United
States in their exports. those OF the United King
dom being more than double those OF the United
States. In 1897 those of the United States were
greater than those OF France Germany. and only
20 per cent less than those OF Great Britain. while
now American exports of domestic merchandise
exceed those Of Great Britain. a detailed study
OF the commerce Of the great nations from 1885 TO
1877 shows that none havo made such rapid progress
In exports as the United States. but that in most
cases they have Increased their imports much
more rapidly than we have. From 1883 to 1897 ex
ports from the United States increased 81 per cent
while those Of the United Kingdom fell OFF IA per
cent France showed an increase of only 1os per
cent; the Netherlands. 1876 per cent: British Aus
traia, 90 per cent: Belgium. less than ! per cent
and Russia. decrease of 81 per cent. Germany
showed gain Of 1875 per cent from 1891 to 1897 the
figures for earlier years being in form to permit
an accurate and just comparison
In imports the United States showed increase
OF only Sc per cent from 1883 1897. while the
United Kingdom showed 1873 per cent. the Neither
lands "a per cent and Russia 54 per cent. Ger
many showed nm Increase Of 1913 per cent from 1891
to 1897 France Belgium and British Australasia
showed a slight decrease in their importations from
1883 to 1897. China increased her imports 1874 per
cent from 1883 TO 1896. and Japan increased hers
12l9 per cent. while in exports China increased ISL
per cent and Japan 631 per cent No other coun-
try shows large increase in exports and so
small increase Of imports in the mean time as
does the United States. while no other IS able 10
present record such that which this country
has made in the fiscal year 1s9S-of exports double
the amount Of the imports.
Tho statement is accompanied by series Of
tables showing the imports and exports Of the
United States. the United Kingdom, Germany
France. Russia. the Netherlands, Belgium British
India and Straits Settlement British Australasia
China and Japan in each year from 1855 TO 1891
These indicate that nearly all the countries in
question show a larger percentage OF increase In
imports than the United States, while none or
them. with the single exception Of Japan. show so
large percentage Of increase In exports.
The following table shows the imports OF each or
the countries in question in 1888 and in 1871. with
percentage OF increase or decrease: