The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-08-31
COMMERCE WITH HAWAII.
DIFFICULT NOW TO SECURE STA
TIsTICs OF TRADE.
The Islands Coming Under Act of
Congrcss Nfthin Coastwise ship
ping Laws, Records of Exports
and Imports Arc Not Compulsory.

Special Dispatch 70 the Post-Inteliigcncer.
WASHINGTON. Aug S0--The people
o. the United states are likely 20 be de-
prived q some much desired information
REGARDING the commerce of the United
States with tho Hawaiian Islands The
recent act of congress. which extended TO
these islands praetlcaliy all OF the laws
% the United states. is construed as rem
dcrinE the commerce between the United
states and the islands ''coastwsse' In Its
character. The laws. with reference to
the gathering ~ statistics % cur COM
rncrce require importers and exporters 20
file with the collectors Of customs ut the
ports 1T which their goods enter. or al
which they leave the country. y specific
statement OF the quantity and value 81
each article imported or exported
The law does not require, however. this
detailed Information with reference 10
goods passing from one port Of the
United States 80 another port % the
United States. Taking advantage Of this
condition. merchants 81 San Francisco.
who are engaged IN the trade with the
Hawaiian Islands. arc refusing 20 furnish
20 the collector at that neint. regarding
goods sent to or from the Hawaiian ISL
ands the general class of information
which they have for years been Furnish
Ing hut from which they claim they are
now exempt under the new conditions
The effect 81 this WIFI be 10 deprive
the bureau Of statistics ana the people
of rae United states. az present. at least.
Of all Information regarding the COM
merce with the Hawaiian Islands. No
feature Of cur import and export trade
has attracted 80 much attention during
the past wear as that with the Ha-
walisn Islands III was one spot where
the effect OF anneSaSfon upon commerce
with tho territory annexed could be
studied. since. in the other territories
brought into close relations with the
United States. conditions were not In our
favor by reason 81 the war which had
existed previous TO. or Immediately fol-
rowins the new relationship
While the growth OF our commerce with
Puerto Rice Cuba and the Philippine
Islands had been very great. Il has
been dlfncuit "a determine what proper
ton Of the growth was due 10 war con-
ditions or what proportion 60 the new
relations thus established In the case
Of the Hawaiian islands. however, no war
conditions existed. either previous or sub
sequent 20 annexation, and the growth OF
may he attributed. chiefly. " not wholly.
10 he close relations brought about by
annexation and the general business re-
yiyal which followed that event.
Growth since Annexation.
The growth 81 cur commeree with tho
Hawaiian Islands IN the last few years.
especially IN the years 1879 and 1900. has
been phenomenal This growth Is espe-
cially interesting In view % the new re-
latienship which has been established
with the Islands and the marked increase
| which accompanied tho Anal determine
the United states 10 the Hawaiian islands
were N,fil al and In 1891 were ~ $50 cas-
showing no growth from 1870 10 1887 In
1870 the imports into tho United States
from the Hawaiian islands were sia.2l2.I,s
and IN 1897 wcr. sislsS7 re. showing bat
slight growth.
The treaty OF annexation was signed nj
Washington June ~. 1851. so that all tho
| commerce OF the nscal wear felt tho II.
| feet % that sfcp IN the process Of annex
! alton. In that year the exports ~ sha
United Statcs 60 thA Hawaiian islands
| were Sh.aDT. ih5, an Increase 81 q per cent.
over 1887, when they amounted % ~ $50 .8Ts
! The treaty was ratified July = 1875 and
sovereignty over the Islands formally
Transferred To tho United States on Aiis
| gust H. issls thus bringing practically all
| 81 the fiscal year 1879 within tha perist
| following the complete annexation. Tne
| exports e. tho Hawaiian islands in the fls-
| cal year 1879 amounted 20 81 3ss 40. an In
crease ~ over 81 pfr cent ON the import
side the year MS showed an increase az
| g. $50 90 over 1871, ana the year 1893 showed
| another increase ~ s2,sao.11 over 1895 ana
| 1888
Tho following tahl. shows fho COM
| merce heiwesn the United States and tho
| Hawaiian Islands IN each year from 100
80 i39s