The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-01-30

the discharge OF their duties adds greatly
10 their efficiency. II Is gratifying TO be
able 10 state that the Improvement in the
service following closely upon the steady
progress IN expediting the publication OF
reports has enabled the Department OF
State this year to submit the annual re-
ports month in advance OF the usual
time and 70 make them as nearly as posi-
bic a contemporaneous picture OF the trade
OF the word"
The President concurs in the secretary's
Recommendation for the printing of addi-
tional copies of the publication. Secretary
Hays letter follows:
Mr. President-In accordance with Sec
tor zc9 OF the Revised Statutes, i have
the honor to transmit the commercial
relations Of the United States with foreign
countries during the year 1900, being the
annual and other reports OF a compre-
hcnsIve character from the consular Of
ficers. together with similar reports from
some or the diplomatic officers on the in
dustries and commerce OF foreign coun-
tries. These reports were prepared under
special instructions from this department.
with the object OF laying before Congress,
temporaneous statement of trade, not only
OF the United States with the rest of the
world. bat OF the various countries with
each other. This object, l am happy to
be able 10 say, has been accomplished. the
cate OF transmission 10 Congress this year
having been advanced over the usual time
ditions of promptitude compatible with a
proper analysis OF the latest returns for
the year 1900. So gratifying a result indi-
Gates continued Improvement in the activity
and zeal of our consular officers, as well as
II the system OF publishing and distributing
their reports. =
1T may. be said. indeed. that. while,
variety OF propositions have been under
discussion for the improvement of the con-
sular service, the service has TO very
considerable extent improved itself, and Is
dalton from business interests which have
received substantial aid. not only from
the published reports, but also from the
individual efforts OF consular officers TO
meet the growing requirements of Amer
lean industry and enterprise. The prac-
teal character OF the commercial informa-
celebrity with which it is given to the pub
lie continues TO excite the emulation Of for
eign governments, and during the past
year steps have been taken by both Great
Britain and Germany TO engraft these fea-
lures Of our consular work upon their con-
sular systems
The general conclusion to be drawn
from a survey Of the conditions in foreign
countries. as described In the reports here
with presented. is that the United States
Is approaching, even more swiftly than was
expected. a position of eminence In the
worlds markets. due to superior quality
snd greater cheapness or many lines OF Its
manufactures which must work great eco
no a only o
commercial activity and the money power
OF the world to our marts- The trade in
G9cations OF American supremacy during
the past year have been so marked that
many foreign Industries. according TO the
reports of our consuls in Europe, in
Producing American machinery and labor
saving appliances and remodeling their
factory methods, and We may expect, in
the near future, more strenuous c0mpe-
'tition. for which 1t is important we should
prepare ourselves. AS an aid to such
mi he N of q n
Information as to foreign industries and
trade conditions which is TO be found in
the two volumes of Commercial Rela-
tons will obviously prove most useful to
Cur manufacturers and exporters, and l
therefore recommend that Congress be re-
quired to authorize, was done last year,
the printing OF a special edition of 10000
copies OF the Review of the Worlds Com
u>erce' and 5000 of Commercial Relations "