The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-01-01

L Is MAN1FESTLY early to fig
ure accurately upon the possi-
Il. bilities of American trade expan-
sion in the Philippines. Before
there can be a fair chance for our
trade to grow peace must be estab-
lished throughout the greater portion
of the principal islands and the con-
structive agencies of civilization given
time to take root. This may be months
hence or years hence, but it must come
sooner or later. Yet even under the
present adverse conditions it Is evident
that considerable progress is being
made.
The chief of the bureau of statistics
at Washington, Mr.. 0. p. Austin, who
has given especial attention to this
subject, in an interview published in
the Washington Post, notes that
whereas, in 1897, we sent only $50, 900
worth of articles of all kinds to the
Philippines this years exports, exclu-
sive of supplies sent by the govern
ment, are worth $3,5OO,OOO, a gain Of
over 5000 per cent. in four years. But
this is not all. AS Mr.. Austin ex-
plains:
"The total imports into the Philip
pines in 1899 were in value $50, ,255 900,
and in 1890, basing the estimate upon
the latest obtainable figures, will prob
ably be about $25,0O0,O0O. Our own ex-
ports to the Philippinesin 1899 amount
ed to but per cent. of the total i'm
ports of the islands, while the figures
of the present year. so far as now in
hand, indicate that in 1900 we shall
have furnished about Is per cent. This
is encouraging. as it shows that we
are getting a better foothold in the
islands, as against our foreign compe-
ttors.
"Of course, the large American popu-
lation which has gone to the Philip
pines in connection with the army and
the administration of the islands would
naturally create demand for Ameri-
can goods. but even taking this into
consideration. it is evident that the
native population is finding use for
| our manufactures. Take American
| carriages and cars. During ten months
of 1899 the imports amounted to only
$611, while for the same period of time
In 1900 the figures aggregated $l2, ,231.
| The example of agricultural imple-
ments is still more striking. During
the first ten months of 1899 the i'm
ports of these articles into the Philip
| pines We're valued at only SIG, while
the amount in the first ten months of
the present year was nearly $4,000. In
| the same period bicycles increased
from $1,000 to $4,000; cotton cloth from
$1,000 to $4S,OOO telegraph, telephone.
and other scientific instruments and
apparatus from $4,000 to $4,000; boots
and shoes from 5000 to nearly $4,000.
The Philippine Islands have also proved
a great place for the sale of illuminate
ing Oil, the amount consumed having
risen from $500 gallons in the first ten
months of 1899 to 900 gallons in the
first ten months of 1900"
While Mr.. Austin is enthusiastic
about the development of trade with
the Philippines. he holds that this is
but small part of what the future
holds in store for American manufac-
turers. THE mere question of the
increase in our exports to the islands
themselves seems to me to be a small
one" he says. compared with the
| prospective value of the Philippines
as door to the commerce of the Or
lent. The population of the countries
and islands of Asia and Oceanica
whose cities are nearer to Manila than
any other great entrepot or distribut-
ing point, is $50, 200, ,OOO or more than
half the population of the world. and
their annual purchases amount to
| $1,000, 100000. or $l00,O00,000 a month
Many of their cities lie almost as neal
to Manila as Havana is to New York
and all lie much nearer to Manila than
to any other general distributing point
for merchandise. The people of al
those countries have shown a grow
ing taste for the products of the
United States, as is illustrated by the
fact that our exports to Asia, which
in 1897 amounted to nearly $93, 900 900
|
and to Oceanica were in ten months OF
1897 $17,000,00O, and in ten months OF
1900 $S2.0OO,0OO. showing a growth in
three years time of &C per cent. in oul
exports to the Orient. With a market
of $l00,0O0,0OO a month. which seem:
thus to be hungering for American
products, and great distributing
point under our flag within easy reacf
of its commercial cities, and direc
water communication with our owr
way stations on the Pacific route. 4
seems to me that the value of tn,
Philippines as an open door and {
distributing point for that great mar
ket must be vastly in excess of tina
indicated by mere examination OF tn,
consuming power of the islands them
selves"
There are some persons who affec
TO believe that considerations Of com