Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1899-03-10
THE PHILIPPINE A D

The agricultural department, at Wash
ington, is about to publish, in bulletin
form, statistics of Philippine commerce
with thisa and other countries. The statls-
ties will be instructive and suggestive to
the three industrial classes of this coun-
trv, the acriculturists. the manufacturers
and merchants as showing the advantage
which the acquisition of the Philippines
by this government, gives them.
The statistics show that in the year 1898
the total value of the commerce of the
islands was a little more than SS,ooo,oo
of which nearly so per cent was exports
from the islands and a little more than 40
per cent were imports. Great Britain had
over 81 per cent, Spain and China had
something over IS per cent each, and this
country more than 10 per cent. the rest
being divided among other nations. p
oue ldCl lltelSSlhiS W Avn
Spain's trade with the islands was chiefly
in sales of Spanish goods to them. while
that of this country was chiefly in pur-
chases of native products from them. The
statistics show that while we purchased
So, 900, 900 worth Of goods, we sold to them
less than 81, 900, 900 worth. These proper
lions will soon be materially changed for
though this, country may maintain an
''open door, there, American traders will
enjoy a decided advantage over those of
Spain and, indeed, over those of other
nations, possibly, excepting those of Eng
land and Japan, though at present the
latter does not cut much of a figure in
Philippine commerce. ..ta
The chief item Of imported goods into
the islands is cotton manufactures. They
amount to from 35 or 40 per cent OF the
whole. This is a matter to which this
country must pay particular attention.
While it is true that the British empire
and Japan are large producers of cotton
goods. this country should be able to rival
them in the Philippine markets. Hereto
fore Spain has supplied the Philippine
markets with about 60 per cent of hereof
ton goods. The cotton merchants of this
country can certainly take care Of COM
petition from that quarter. The cotton
growers of the south will welcome an in
crease of SO, 900, 900 or $4,000, 900 of cotton
exports a year, and SO would our, cotton
mills and shipping lines. .rsot. :
About $1,000, 900 worth of wines are an
nually consumed in the Philippines. The
Pacific coast grape growers can attend
to that with pleasure and some profit A
half million dollars worth of wheat flour
are needed in the islands. United States
farmers will only be too happy to supply
that want. Canned goods, preserved
meats, etc, amount to o a third OF
a million, and this country is fully pre-
pared to supply all wants in that diree-
ton. Distilled liquors, pork, bacon, hams
lard, etc, and vegetables may also be
largely supplied by, the United States. In
the item Of kerosene oil this country has
a practical monopoly.
The exports from the islands comprise
those articles not produced in this coun-
try and hence will not come in competl-
ton with any of our domestic industries
In the matter of hemp, copra, coffee, oils
DIVES. perfumes and hundreds of othel
articles, not produced here, but needed by
our people, we may exchange our cotton
-four and other bread and meatstuffs FOL
them and supply, at least, a part of oul
wants in that direction. The present out
look is that this country will profit large
Nv by the commerce of the Philippines.
RUDYARD KIPLING.