The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1900-06-16
FARMERS SHARE IN 1T.
Value to Agricuiturists of Expansion
and the Increase Of Our For
eign Trade.

the American manufacturer is reap
ing the benefits Of expansion
said Frank II. Hitchcock, chief of
the section of foreign markets in
the Department of Agriculture,
when discussing the expansion
question.
"Our sales of agricultural pro-
ducts abroad during the last three
years, 1S97-18oo, were over $500,
ooo, 900 greater than in the prece-
ding three years, 1894-1896. This
enormous gain affords some idea of
the possibilities that await a further
development of our agricultural
export trade. .~z
"Wider markets are becoming,
not only an advantage, but a ne
cessity. The products of Our farms,
like the products of Our factories.
are increasing far beyond our own
requirements, and the surplus thus
resulting must be disposed of abroad
or we shall have a constant glut in
the home market. To avoid such
condition we are striving as new
er before to increase our shipments
to foreign countries. We are
searching the world over to find
new markets in, order that the
American farmer may have read
ier and more profitable sale for his
= products. b..
"Our control of the markets Of
Cuba and Porto Rico will mean
money in the pockets of our farm
ers. Under normal conditions these
two islands buy annually $50, ,ooo,-
600 worth of agricultural produce,
chiefly breadstufs and provisions,
and practically all of this trade
should come to the United States.
'In due time the Philippines also
will furnish an important market
for the produce of American farms.
This group ofislands is particularly
important, because of its relation to
the valuable commerce of the ORR
ent. All the great commercial ma
tous are expectantly looking to-
ward China, with her 400, 900, 900
OF people, as the most promising
field for trade development the
world now offers. The American
farmer wants a share in that trade.
With a commercial foothold in the
Philippines, and a naval base there
to insure the protection of Our COM
merce Oh the Pacific, we shall be
better able to reach into the coveted
markets Of China, japan and the
rest of Eastern Asia.
THE foreign trade of China, ia
pan and the East Indies, even un-
der the present undeveloped condi-
tons, amounts to more than 81 900,
100000 year, and of this vast
commerce the United States gets
less than 10 per, cent. The posi-
ollltles of commercial expansion in
this direction are simply enormous.
Our exporters are beginning more
1ully to recognize this fact and tc
take advantage of it. The results
already obtained are significant.
rive years ago our exports to Chi
81 Ia and Japan were valued at littl'
m0re than ST., 200, 900: last yea
'ney amounted to nearly $4,000,
o0o' Products of the farm ente
extensively into this rapidly grow
ing trade. The cotton planter o
the South and the wheat grower G
Tue North and West are alike bene
n'eo' During the last year NOR
'NSn 100, ,ooo, 900 pounds FIVE year
ago. Our export trade of whea
a0ur to Asia, in the meantime, ha
increased q: from less than 1900, 90
OaFreEs "a to over 100000. Man
prner W agricultural exports of th
united States are finding a ne1
"Ho profitable market in the Orien
@u1 ~, all indications point to the de
selopment there of an extensiv
""ue '..S: In the products of agriculture
Ahe farmers benefit from CON