The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-01-21
Remarkable Change
in Decades Trade

Washington, Jan. 20.
A REMARKABLE change has over the
~ commerce of the United States in the de-
AA cadc ending with the calendar year 1900
The figures OF the Treasury Bureau Of
Statistics show that imports, which in 1890
were Sso3 307, ,120 were in 1000 Ssa9, ,O52, ,ll6 an
increase OF less than per cent. in the decade;
while the exports, which in 1890 were Ss57502..
5lS were in 1000 81, AIS 050.s5i, an increase OF
72.i per cent. In 1890 the excess of exports over
imports was S5,G5l, 800; in 1900 il was $685.
,73s.
III our trade relations with tho various parts
OF the world the change is equally striking.
From Europe we have reduced our imports in
the decade from Si7i,OoO, 600 to s439, 100000,
while in the same time we have increased our
exports from $3.50 100000 to sl,liIOO0.OO From
North America imports fell from Sljl, 100000 in
1890, 10 Sl3l, ,0000tO in 1900 while our exports
to North America increased during that time
from $0j, 100000 TO S202 100000. From South
America the imports increased from Sl0l ,000, 900
in 1880 to SlO2, 900 in 1900, while to South
America our exports increased from S., j,000. 900
10 81, ,O00, 900. From Asia the imports into the
United States increased from 500, 100000 in 1890
to $l23,OOo,OO0 in 1900, while to Asia our ex.
ports in the same time increased from s23, ,oO0,-
900 TO Sol, l,000,000. From oceania the importa.
tinos in 1890 were $23, ,0O0, 900 and in 1900 were
So, 900. while TO Oceania our exports in 1890
were Sl7,0O0,O 900, and in 1900, $4,000, 600 From
Africa imporations increased from s., 900, 900
in 1890 to S0,O00,000 in 1900, and expectations
to Africa increased from Si,5oO,Ooo in 1870 10
S22 600 in 1900.
The changes in the movements TO and from
the continents due to two great causes:
First, the increase in home manufactures, which
were formerly drawn chiefly from abroad; and,
second, the divesiiication Of products, by which
markets are made for many articles which for
mery were produced or exported in but small
quantities. From Europe to which we were ac-
customed to look for manufactures, our imports
have fallen over S35,000O00, while Europe has
largely increased her consumption of our cotton
seed oil, oleomargarine, paraffn, manufactures
OF iron and STEEL copper, and agricultural MAJ
chnery, as well foodstufs and cotton, our
exports to that grand division having increased
$42S, ,0OO,0tN since 1880. From North America the
imports have fallen 900, due chiefly to
the falling off OF sugar production in the West
Indies, the imports from Cuba alone having de-
creased from Sji, 100000 in 1890 to S27, 600 900
in 1900. To North America the exports have
increased meantime over 800, ,00O, ,OO0 the growth
being largely manufactures and foodstufs,
considerable portion Of the latter being presun-
ably re.eXported thence to Europe From
South America the imports have increased in
quantity, especially in coffee and rubber but
decreased proporionately in price, so that the
total increase in value in the decade is but
Sl,OO0000 dollars while in exports the increase
is S6,500,000, chiefly in manufactures. From
Asia the importatiOns have increased more than
Sj00OO,000, the increase being chiefly in sugar
and raw materials required by our manufactur-
crs, such as silk, hemp, jute and tin; while to
Asia the increase in our exports has been nearly
si0Ooo,OO0, principally in manufactures and raw
cotton From ocoania the imports show little
increase, though this is due in part to the ab
sence OF statistics OF importation from Hawaii
in the last half OF the year 1900 while TO
Oceania there is an increase in our exports Of
more than S2O,0oO,OoO, chiefly in manufactured
articles. From Africa the increase in imports
Is SG,OOO0Oo, principally in manufacturers ma
trrials OF which raw cotton forms the most
important item, while our exports TO Africa in.
creased meantime Si7,OOO,OOO, chiefly in ,manu.
iacturcs.
The following tables show the imports and
exports OF the United States by grand divisions
in the calendar wears 1890 aud 1900 In the
figures showing the distribution by continents
in 1900, the December distribution is estimated
though the grand total OF imports and exports
for 1000 is based upon the complete figures Of
the Bureau Of Statistics
Exports from the United States to-