The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-03-14
Ten Years Oriental Trade.

In the extension of the commercial
relations of the United States during
the past ten years one of the striking
features has been the increase of trade
with China and Japan. In that time
the value of the merchandise exchanged
with these two countries, including the
port of Hongkong has nearly doubled.
and the annual increase promises to be
much greater In the future than in the
past. OF the $4,000. 900 valuation placed
upon our trade with these Oriental coun-
tries in 1900, the imports into the United
States were represented by over s47,-
100000, and the exports from this coun-
try by over $4,000, 900. The exports as
compared with imports have been con-
stantly on the increase, the gain In ex-
ports for the decade being ESQ per cent,
while the increase OF importations was
SO per cent. The trade with Japan,
which was slightly larger than that with
China and Hongkong combined, has
shown gratifying increase. rising from
something like 100000 in IS. 70 over
10000, 900 in 1898.
Our exports to Japan, China and
Hongkong have consisted principally OF
five leading items--cotton, cotton man
fractures, Kerosene oil, -four and manu-
features Of iron and Steel II is esti-
mated that fully so per cent. OF the
expectations are covered by these heads.
During 1898 nearly 90 per cent of our
exports consisted OF agricultural pro-
ducts. This represents heavy Increase
for In 1889 they constituted only % per
cent. Proportionally they have increased
even more rapidly than the nonagrieul-
tural products. In 1859 their value was
something less than 5000. 900, which had
! Increased In 1898 to more than si4. 00O. 900
The shipments Of -four have grown TO
very extensive proportions during the
past decade. The consignments 10 Hong
kong In 1888 amounted 10 sSs. Os3 barrels.
as against only STs.Ss4 barrels in 1889
while the shipments 20 Japan during the
same period rose from 1867 barrels to
1864 barrels, and the exports TO China
from s544 barrels 10 1869 barrels
/ These figures have been considerably
Increased by the heavy expectation Of
the last fifteen months. during which
time many Coast mills have been run
ning night and day 10 order TO keep up
with oriental orders Both China ana
japan az markets for the sale of four
have been steadily improving. and II
predictions come true there viii be A
time when the orient viii absorb all
al the -four which the Pacific coast pro-
dnces Tor export.
Raw cotton Is one % the most TIM
portant commodities for which a new
market has been found. Prior 10 1859
there were no records 81 cotton exports
to Japan, China or Hongkong. During
that year s3.5oo pounds, valued Al s9aai.
were sent % Japan. but 10 shipments
20 China were recorded tn 1899 and
none 60 Hongkong till 1855. our exports
~ this raw product have gone chiefly -
Japan, which country took over 81 .o00-
900 IN 1855 Shipments are constantly
on the increase. and few 81 the trans
pacific liners now clear from Puget
sound ports without a large cargo Of
cotton Moreover the trade Is yet in
IFS infancy, and the demand for space
Will be supplied only when the new
ships now IN course Of construction are
completed and placed in regular ser
vice.
OF the nonagrieultural expectations,