Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1901-02-08
GREAT INCREASE IN TRADE
An Interesting Summary of What
Has Been Achieved Sent to
Congress by Hay.
IT SHOWS COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT.
The United states Rapidly Approach
ing Position of Eminence In the
worlds Markets-Foreign Coun-
tries Are Introducing American
Methods.

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.
e6 le0l.-The President: In accordance
with section 20S OF the Revised Statutes,
] have the honor 10 transmit the CONNER
cial relations OF the United States with
foreign countries during the year 1900 be-
ing the annual and other reports OF
comprehensive character from the con-
sular officers together with similar re-
ports from some of the diplomatic officers.
upon the Industries and commerce OF Tor
eign countries These reports were pre-
pared under special instructions from this
department. with the object OF laying be-
core congress. with the least delay, prac-
tcIlly Contemporancous statement or 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 10 be able TO say, has been ac-
complished. the date OF transmission 10
congress this year having been advanced
over the usual time by month and real
Tins the utmost conditions OF prompttude
compatible with a proper analysis OF the
latest returns for the year 1900. SO graft
fying a result indicates continued improve
meut In the activity and zeal OF our con-
sular officers as well as IN the system or
publishing and distributing their reports.
Improvement of Consular Service.
1T may be said. indeed. that. while a
variety of propositions have been un-
der discussion for the Improvement or
the consular service. the service has TO
a very considerable extent improved itself,
and is winning frequent expressions OK
commerdation from business interests
which have received substantial aid, not
only from the published reports, but also
from the Individual EFFORTS OF consular Of
fcers TO meet the growing requirements OK
American industry and enterprise. The
practical character OF the commercial In
formation obtained by our consuls and the
CELEBRITY with which 10 Is given TO the
public continue 10 excite the emulation
Of foreign governments. and during the
past year steps have been taken by both
Great Britain and Germany TO engrafi
these features OF our cons u,ar work upon
their consular systems
Rapid Commercial Progress.
"The general conclusion to be drawn
from 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. position Of eminence In the
worlds markets. due TO superior quality
and greater cheapness OF many lines OF It's
manufactures, which must work great
economic changes and may result I'm shift
ing the center not only OF Industrial. bCt
of commercial activity and the money
power OF the world 20 our msrts. The
trade indications OF American supremacy
during the past year have been so marked
that many foreign industries. according TO
the reports OF our consuls in Europe. are
introducing American machinery and la
bor-saving appliances and remodellng their
factory methods. and We may expect. IN
the near future. a more strenuous compe-
tition for which IL is important we should
prepare ourselves. As an aid to such
equipment, the study OF the great mass OF
information as TO foreign Industries and
trade conditions. which IS 10 be found In the
two volumes OF Commercial Relations. will
obviously prove most useful TO our manu-
facturers and exporters. and l therefore
recommend that congress be requested TO
authorize, as was done last year. the print
ing OF special edition OF 10000 copies Of
the Review OF the Worlds Commerce and
500 copies OF Commercial Relations.
BanL Robbed.
Gilman. H.. Feb T. burglars
wrecked the safe Of B. II. Skcele, a
banker at Thawvillc, village near
here. at an early hour Saturday morn
ing. secured 5000 in cash and made
their escape. Bloodhounds were put
on the trail. but the snow prevented
their following the scent
Dies from Grief.
Paterson y j. Feb 4-Uuph j.