The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-05-04
Cotton for the Orient.

Cotton Is one Of the articles that are
to figure very extensively among the
exports that will be sent from this coun-
try to the Orient. 1t Is something
which the people of China ana Japan
need and are now buying in consider
able quantities. and in course OF time
the demand win be largely increased.
Hongkong Is also importing American
cotton, and it is not improbable that
this staple viii soon be in demand IN
the Philippines. Manufactures Of cot
tt,. goods have sprung up In Japan. and
they look to the United States for raw
material. With Industrial advancement
In China similar demand will be ere
ated. and among the shipments made
to these new markets during the next
ten years there is perhaps no article
that win be exported more heavily than
raw cotton.
This trade during the decade past has
grown FROM almost nothing to some
thing substantial in character and with
immense promise for the future. Prior
to 1889 the business OF cotton exporting
to the Orient was insignificant, so mich
so that there are no official records of
shipments to Hongkong. China and
Japan up to that time In 1889 there
was shipped to Japan 2s.5oo pounds. Of
q value Of $2.s41. There is no record Of
shipments to China until 1892. and none
to Hongkong till 1888. How pronounced
the growth OF the trade has been from
these small beginnings Is shown in the
records OF the government. for 1888.
when Japan alone took American cot
ton to the value Of $7.0o0oo0.
What is especially noteworthy n this
increase Of the cotton exports 10 the
East Is that a good part of it Is now
being shipped by way of the Pacific
coast The earlier cargoes went via the
Suez canal, but improvements in trans
continental train service and easier and
cheaper shipping facilities across the
Pacific have turned the trade in this
direction, and the bull. of the shipments
in the future will no doubt be made by
the western route. The northern rail-
roads have put forth especial effort to
secure cotton freights, and these efforts
have been attended with success. The
Great Northern has already handled
thousands of pounds of cotton destined
for the Orient. and 1t considers that its
business has hardly begun. 1t looks to
see a large portion of the cotton for
China and Japan come through the PORT
OF Seattle. and one reason tor The con-
struction Of the immense Pacific steam
ers by President Till was that he be-
lieves a large share of the new tonnage
will be required by shippers Of the great
staple OF the South. The Norther. Pa
cific Is bringing htavy shipments TO the
coast constantly. and all of its steamers
to the Orient carry immense quantities
of cotton In their holds.
1t is an enormous and rapidly
expanding business. AS prominent
New Orleans cotton dealer sall In this
city yesterday, II has been escerta,nei
that shipments may be made ~ greater
advantage by the way of puge. sound
than by the old Suez route. and in con-
sequence the latter IS being abandoned.
He observes sensibly that this Is
good thing for the cast and for the
cotton men as well: eni II the fut re
trade comes up TO his expectations. Sc
prominent points OF cotton transship-
uent In the country.