The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1901-02-02
FOREIGN TRADE.
our Commercial Development shown
by an Interesting Report by
Secretary Hay.

Washington, Jan. 3o.-A most i'm
portant and interesting summary of
what has cen achieved by the Unit
ed States in the direction of opening
up and extending our markets abroad
is presented in the following letter
from Secretary Hay, which was laid
before congress Tuesday, accompany
ing the annual publication known as
Commercial Relations of the United
States with Foreign Countries"
Department of State. Washington. Jan.
26. 19ul.-The President: In accordance
with section 2oS of the Revised Statutes,
have the honor to transmit the CONNER
cial relations of the United States with
foreign countries during the year 1900 be-
ing the annual and other reports of a
comprehensive character from the con-
sular officers, together with similar re-
ports from some of the diplomatic officers.
upon the industries and commerce of for
egn countries. These reports were pre-
pared under special instructions from this
department., with the object of laying be-
fore congress, with the least delay, prac-
| tcally contemporaneous statement of the
trade, not only Of the United States with
the rest of the world. but of the various
countries with each other. This object,
am happy to be able to say, has been ac-
complished, the date of transmission to
congress this year having been advanced
over the usual time by month. and real
izing the utmost conditions of promptitude
compatible with proper analysis of the
latest returns for the year 1900. So graft
flying result indicates continued improve
ment in the activity and zeal OF our con-
sular officers as well as in the system of
publishing and distributing their reports.
at may be said, indeed. that, while a
variety of propositions have been un-
der discussion for the inproveme of
the consular service the service has to
d very considerable extent improved itself.
and is winning frequent expressions OF
commentator from business interests
/ which have received substantial aid, not
only from the published reports but also
| from the Individual efforts OF consular Of
| iiccrs TO meet the growing requirements of
American industry and enterprise. The
practical character of the rcial M
! formation obtained by our con ILLS and the
celebrity with which ii is given to the
public continue TO excite Tie emulation
\ OF foreign governments, and during the
| past year steps have been taken by both
i Great Britain and Germany 10 engraft
! these features OF our consular work upon
| their consular SyStllnS.
| The general conclusion to be drawn
from survey Of The conditions in foreign
countries, as described in the 1T ports here
with presented, is that the United States
was expected, 4 position of cmin,n nee in The
! worlds markets, due TO superior quality
| and greater che apness of many lines of its
manufactures, which must work. great
economic changes and may result in shift
ing the center not only Of Industrial. but
of commercial activity and the money
power of the world to our marts. The
trade indications of American supremacy
curing the past year have been SO marked
that many foreign industries, according tc
the reports of our consuls in Europe, are
introducing American machinery and la
tor-saving appliances ard remodel:ng theil
factory methods, and we may expect, il
the near future, more strenuous compe
tition for which it is important we should
prepare ourselves. AS an aid to sucl
equipment. the study Of the great mass o
information as to foreign Industries an,
trade conditions. which is to be found in tn,
two volumes OF Commercial Relations. will
obviously prove most useful to our manu-
facturers and exporters. and l therefore
recommend that congress be requested I,
authorize, as was done last year. the print
ing of a special edition of 10000 copies o
the Review of the Worlds Commerce ant
1000 copies of Commercial Relations.
(Signed) "JOHN HAY"