Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1900-11-22
AMERICAN SHIPPING.
Commissioner Of Navigation Makes
His Report on the Subject.
PAST YEAR A PROSPEROUS PERIOD.
Gov. Dole Makes Report on the Hawaiian
Islands-Purs HswaiiAns Steadily Grow
Ing Lsss-Ths Resources and Pub
Ito LAnds Of Hawaii.

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Washington, Nov. l9.-The report
Of Commissioner OF Navigation Cham
berlain made public yesterday says
the past fiscal year has been the most
prosperous period known to American
shipping for some years. Returns for
the current fiscal year promise an
even more satisfactory record. For
the first time since the civil war the
documented tonnage Of the United
States exceeds 100000 gross tons. On
June 80, 1900, American documented
tonnage comprised 1888 vessels Of
5,164,s39 gross tons, an increase Of
100000 tons over the previous year.
Our maximum tonnage was 5,53s,S13
tons in 1861. Our shipping, the re-
port adds, in 1861 was larger than
Great Britain's and nearly equaled
the British empires. British ship
ping now amounts to 14,26l, 900 gross
tons. American vessels are almost
wholly confined to the coasting trade,
which employed last year 4,3as,145
tons, or more than the total tonnage
of Germany and France. Our ton.
mage in the foreign trade was only
816,795 tons, and carried last year
only nine per cent. Of our exports and
imports. A century ago American
shipping registered for foreign trade
was 669,a2l tons, while this tonnage
now in 10 original states amounts to
4s2,907 tons.
The report says that for serious
competition with foreign nations in
the ocean-carrying trade we are prac-
tically restricted to " registered
steamships over 1000 tons, aggregat-
ing 260,325 tons. Besides these steam
ships we have 1875 registered square,
rugged sail vessels, over 1000 tons
each, for the deep sea trade. More
than half Of these are over 20 years
old, and as such vessels disappear
their places are not supplied by new
construction.
The export trade Of the United
States requires about 20 per cent. Of
the worlds seagoing tonnage in for.
eign trade, including the largest, fast
est and most expensive steamships.
The weight Of our exports by sea in
1899 was 24OOO,ooO tons, Of 2,24O
pounds. To carry these exports and
passengers, including immigrants, re-
quires steady employment through
out the year OF about 1900 steamships,
aggregating 100000 tons, and 1900
sailing vessels Of 100000 tons. The
number and tonnage OF vessels actually
engaged is, Of course, larger, as many
vessels are engaged only part Of the
year in the trade of the United States.
The problem of ocean transporta-
ton at this time, the report says, Is
essentially one of transportation by
steel screw steamships. The purposes
to which wooden fore and aft vessels
and steel square-rigged vessels are
adapted are important, but restricted
The Sue1 canal reduced opportunities
for sail vessels and the Nicaragua ca
nal, it is said, will further reduce
them.
Gov. Dole's Report on Hawaii
Washington, Nov 19.--The decrease
OF the Hawaiian race has been steadily
growing less for the past several
decades, especially the female popu-
lation, according to the annual re-
port Of ex-President Sanford B. Dole,
governor of Hawaii. The increase of
part Hawaiians tends to keep down
the number of the pure Hawaiians,
While the figures show race progress
the census reports as to surviving
children are discouraging. In both
the censuses Of 1890 and 1896 the pure
Hawaiian percentage of survivors was
the lowest Of all nationalities repre-
sented in the islands. An encourage
ing outlook for the Hawaiians exists
in the fact that out of 6,327 owners
OF real estate In 1895, 1895 were pure
Hawaiians and 722 part Hawaiians.
The facts are significant as showing
the ownership. q holdings by so large
number of pure Hawaiians and the
evident tendency Of the race to &C.
quire homesteads. The ex-president
reports that there is reason to expect
that annexation is going to influence
Hawaiian character very favorably
through the changed conditions ef-
fected. Their old dependence on their
chiefs has ceased and they are forced
to rely more upon themselves and
their footing with the white men In
the future will be equal. The politi.
cal privileges they enjoy in common
with other American citizens, he saws,
will tend 10 educate them in public
affairs.
Tho total valuation Of real and per.
sonal property in Hawaii subject to
I'd valorem assessment in 1900 Is ss7,-
4sl,6S4. The receipts from taxes are
estimated at sl,a4l,eso. The CON-
merce Of Hawaii Is shown for the pc
Rod between January / and June IA,
1900, as follows: Imports, slO,sss,-
sle; exports, $780, 400; customs
revenues, sSs7,s07. With the excep-
ton Of the production of sugar, rice,
firewood, fertilizers and live stock and
the promotion Of irrigation, the de.
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