The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1901-06-05
Pres. Search's Address Before
Manufacturers Association.
COMPETITORS ARE AMAZED
Marvellous Efficiency Of Protective Policy 10
Creating Industrial Nation - Reel.
prOcity Is OF the Utmost
Value.

DETROIT, June 4.-President search
of the National Association OF Manu-
facturers, delivered the following ad-
dress before meeting OF the associa-
ton today:
year ago all of US were straining
our vision in efforts to foresee the fu-
ture, TO determine how far and how long
these conditions of prosperity would con-
tnue; and the lapse of twelve months
apparently has brought us no nearer 10
the point from which the end can be
seen. There seems to be no waning of
the general prosperity Of the country
and conditions that could breed panics
are not manifest as yet.
An analysis Of conditions the world
over shows many changes as compared
with the situation at the beginning Of
last year and such broad view Is es-
sentlal 10 a proper understanding Of
our own position and prospects; for We
are no longer self sufficient and in.
dependent nation. but our interests are
closely interviewer with the affairs OF
all the world. This broader dependence
uoon other nations tends 20 greater pos
Sibilities In our interests and our COM
merce, for II is hardly conceivable THAI
all countries could be affected similar
ly and simultaneously by any depress-
ing influences.
Thus while Germany may be suffering
from reaction and consequently buying
less OF our wares, South Africa isl
emerging from the troubles of war and
China is being reopened gradually TO
trade under conditions of greater prom !
1se than ever seen before. While there
was shrinkage Of nearly $4,000 900 |
in our exports of raw cotton TO Japn
during the nine months ending March
81, 1901. there was an increase OF about
S75,OOO.OeO in the exports to Great Brit
ain and Europe. At all times the mar
kets of the world are undergoing some
process Of gradual readjustment ani
the trade that is lost TO US in one coun-
try is made good by the increasing de-
mands of another.
1t was this wide distribution Of our
foreign trade that made possible an in
crease of over s4S, 100000 in the exports
Of manufactured products during the
hscal year which ended June 3. 1900.
and continuance of this enlarged vol
ume of foreign business during the past
nine months.
The most serious problem that now
presents itself in relation to the ex-
port trade OF the United States con-
Germs not only the further extension Of
this trade but also the preservation Of
the business already established. Here
tofore It has been comparatively easy
for American manufacturers to secure
foreign business whenever they nave 2u;
forth serious effort TO get It. Emergrn-
eies of unusual activity in England and
Germany which have debarred manu-
facturers in those countries from ag-
gresslve' competition. have made II pos
sible in many Instances for American
manufacturers to secure with little ef-
fort orders which under orlinarv con
ditions could have been taken only bv
a struggle Then, again. American
has not been regarded
abroad as a very important factor
in International trade by those who
have encountered it.
These conditions have changed very
during the past year and will
be altered still further in the near fu-
ture. Instead Of free field and open
markets We are likely to encounter OBJ
stacles that will hinder very seriously
the further eXten sion Of our foreign
trade and threaten that which is al
ready established. Decreasing indus
trial activity and declining prices in
many lines. particularly in Germany
and Great Britain are making Amer
lean competition oppressive where its
force was not felt when business was
abundant for all Europe has sudden
" wakened. too. to a realization Of the
vast competitive strength Of the United
States and those who formerly were
amused and entertained by American
aggressiveness now are alarmed by our
upon the markets which
they have regarded as their own. All
Of this indicates that new conditions
will be encountered and new problems
nave to be solved in our commercial re-
ations with other nations.
The expansion Of the territorial limits
IF the United States has given rather
4 sharp wrench To our governmental :