The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-04-27
Figures That show Restrictive Legfs-
Iation I'm Germany and France
Have Worked No Harm.
NO BASIS FOR A PROTEST
SIR CHRISTOPHER FURNESs'S
STATEMENT NOT WHOLLY TRUE.
Tonnage Dues Charged Against Britt
Ships Pay Similar Exactions.

Special 10 the indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON. April 26--The talk or an
international alliance against the United
States with the purpose of repressing her
export trade seems unlikely to cause serious
anxiety II considered in the light of recent
commercial history. Frequent announce
ments have been made during the past few
years of combinations or legislation against
the United States with reference TO our
export trade. A few years ago American
meats were the subject OF legislation in
several OF the European countries, with
the apparent purpose OF discriminating
either against certain classes of our prod
ucts or OF aiding certain classes OF pro-
ducers in the countries in which the legis-
lation was had. A little later came similar
action with reference to American fruits.
Still later further legislation with refer
ence to various grades OF meat was had.
and this was followed by increase OF duties
in certain European countries against tho
classes OF breadstuffs OF which the United
States is a large producer and exporter.
Our dairy products have also been the sub
ject OF more less attention from Euro
peans, who had looked askance at oleomar-
garine butter and filled cheese. The sugar
legislation and laws OF the United States
have furnished basis for certain restric-
tive regulations with reference TO certain
products of our manufactures, and the war
with Spain was looked upon by many an
likely TO practically destroy the commerce
between that country and the United
States.
What has been the result of all this COM
mercial friction. commercial hostility, and
of these national and international COM
binations against American commerce? To
answer in a word: A steady increase OF
American exports TO the countries I'm ques-
tion, and in many cases a decrease of Amer
lean imports from those countries. Take
the case of Germany. for instance. where
restrictive legislation regulation with
reference to certain American products has
been frequently agitated, and i'm some cases
actually applied. The figures OF the Treas
ury Bureau of Statistics show that our ex-
| ports 10 Germany have increased from
sSs 100000 in 1893 to sls7.coooco in 1900. while
| the figures for the eight months ending
| with February, 1901. show exports TO Ger
many valued at sl34O00.0oO. against $l24.ooo.-
oOo in the corresponding months of last year
| and sl11.0oo,000 in the same months OF the
fiscal year 1899. Meantime imports into the
| United States from Germany have fallen
from Sill 10000 in 1851 to ss7.0OO.000 in 1900.
probably be slightly in excess OF 1900.
| In France certain American productions.
especially those Of agricultural origin. have
been the subject Of more or less restrictive
legislation or regulation. yet our exports TO
| France, which in 1888 were si6ooo,000. were
in 1900 sss,OoO.ooo and in the eight months
| ending with February. 1901. are S56.oo0.Ooo.
| against s43,OoO.0O0 in the corresponding
4 49, Maat. ffr,,c
France have not materially changed. the
imports of 1893 having been ss6.oco.OOo and
those of 1900 s7s,oOO.OOo. while for the eight
months ending with February. 1901, they
show an increase Of a little less than one
million dollars over the corresponding
months OF last year.
| To Spain our export trade. instead of being
destroyed or materially reduced. has in
creased and the exports during the present
fiscal year seem likely to be greater than
| i'm any other year. with possibly single
exception. in our history. having been for
the eight months enoing with February.
1901 SO s45. $50. against s. SOS. 2n in the cor
responding months of $780, and s6Oll.0S5 In
the same months of the fiscal year isss-
| Even i'm the fiscal year 1900 the total ex-
| ports TO Spain from the United States were
| larger than in any earlier year since 1891.
| Even in the case OF Russia, whose recent
| action with reference 10 certain American
products has been already announced. the
| effect Is up to this time scarcely apparent
| Our exports 20 Russia during March OF the
| present year the first full month following
| the announcement OF the discriminating
| rates against the United States. were ST.
| ls9 ss3, as against sI,24s.621 during March OF
| last year.