New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-04
TRADE WITT THE PHILIPPINES.

The statistics Of Philippine commerce which
the Agricultural Department is about to pub
lish i'm bulletin form. and Of which we print
elsewhere a SYNOPSIS will bc instructive and
suggestive 10 all three of the great industrial
classes of this country-farmers, manufact-
urcrS and mcrchants-as showing the Oppor-
tunity for advantage TO all Of them that Is af-
forled by our National acquisition of the isl
ands The statistics deal chiefly with two
ycars-1So3 and 1891. In the former the total
value of commerce was more than SIS 0CO. 900,
Of which nearly Gu per cent was exports from
the islands and little more than 10 per cent
imports into the islands. OF the whole com
mCrcp Great Britain had more than 81 per cent,
Spain and China more than i per cent each,
and the United States more than 10 per cent.
The interesting point IS noted that SPANS
trade with tie islands was chiefly in sales Of
Spanish goods to Them while ours was chiefly
in purchases Of native products from them.
Thus. we purchased from the islands nearly
S.. OOO 900 worth of goods. and sold 70 them
less than Sl.0O00OO worth. 1t is to be expect
al that these proportions will soon be material
" changed The maintenance Of the "open
door will not keep American traders from en-
Toying decided advantage over those OF Spain,
ccptng Great Britain and possibly Japan.
though the latter does not now largely figure
in Philippine commerce. We shall probably
continue to purchase largely from the Philip
pines-more largely than ever before. But il
will be diScrcdtable to American enterprise if
sales 10 the islands are not also much increased
and advanced far beyond ihcsc of Spain
This is The more apparent when We consider
tho character Of the general mass Of imports
into the islands The chief item is that Of cot
ton goods which amounts 10 from 80 10 40 per
cent of the whole. 1t Is true that the British
Empire ana Japan are both large producers of
cotton goods But the United States ought 10
he able 10 rival them In the Philippine markets.
Moreover. tn bulk. about 60 per cent. Of Phil
lppine cotton supplies has come from Spain.
Certainly the cotton merchants Of This country
should not he beaten by Spanish competition.
And certainly an increase Of S3.OO0.OnO or
%4OO00O0 OF cotton exports year should have
n good effect upon the cotton plantations of our
Southern States, as well as upon the mills and
shipping lines. Nearly $1000OOO worth Of
wines are purchased by the Philippines each
year, and our Pacific Coast is one of the great
est wine producing regions IN the world. Wheat
-four IS an item of 100000. all Of which should
be supplied by the United states Canned
goods, preserved meats, etc. amount TO a third
of a million, and they. too, should all come from
This country. unless Australia proves formi-
dable rival-and unless American producers eat
their own throats by improper methods of man
ufacture. Other considerable items are dis.
Tiled liquors. pork. bacon and lard, and vege-
tables, Of all Of which this country may well
secure the major share. The item Of kerosene
oil Ia an important one, but OF Il the United
States already has practical monopoly.
On the other hand the exports from the ISL
an6s are largely of things not produced In tho
/ United States, which viii not. therefore. come
/ int" competition with our domestic industries
Sugar and tobacco are large items. it Is t;'ue
Bat we are already purchasing the bulk OF our
supplies OF them abroad. Hemp-whch is not
hemp AT all-copra. coffee. mothcr-of- pearl, oils
/ dyes. perfumes and numerous other articles are
not produced here, but are needed here and IL
vii! be bcncnccnt thing for us instead vi
/ paying for them in cash, TO get them IN cX.
/ change for cotton and -four and other products
/ OF the United States That Is the prospect now
opened before us. The report shows that Phil.
/ ppne trade was far less In value in 1897 than