The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-11-21
TRADE CONDITIONS IN
PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
Gratifying, Despite Insured
ton and Plague.

The import and export trade figures OF
the Philippine archipelago for the twelve
months ended June 30, 1902, about TO De
published by the Bureau OF Insular At
fairs OF the War Department in connec-
ton with returns for the two preceding
years, and complete statistics from date
OF American occupation. show a COntin-
uance OF the Improvement in trade that
has prevailed since the inception of
United States control This is crafty
ing when ii is considered that the raw
ages of rinderpest. which destroyed over
90 per cent of the carabaos; the plague
OF cholera and the lOcusts. seriously in
terrupted business in many sections Of
the archipelago.
While the showing made by this coun-
try on the basis OF direct shipments to
and from the islands discloses a marked
increase in the past few years. and in
itself indicates much activity on the part
of the American manufacturer. never
theless these figures as they relate to
imports are exclusive OF large purchases
made in this country. entered at the
Philippine customs houses free OF duty
for use Of the United States military de-
partments, the insular government, or
that OF its subordinate branches.
In addition TO this unmeasured benefit
to the United States it is but fair to say
that this country is deprived Of the
proper credit for its imports into the ISL
~ Of chFrvqonfc ruGGfwp
through Hongkong and eventually re-
ported as originating at that point. Al
though this applies TO European coun-
tries as well, 10 some extent, II has been
found that only an exceedingly small
portion of their export credits is affect
ed, for the reason that nearly all their
shipments come direct via Singapore, and
the transshipmeat at that port and at
Hongkong and Saigon are rarely attend
ed 10 by the issue OF new shipping docu-
ments under which the port OF trans
shipment can be taken as the port OF
origin.
AS to the Philippine export trade with
the United States, in which this country
has trebIed its figures the last two years.
the results represent more nearly the
proper credit, but there are numerous
instances of direct shipments OF hemp
in large quantities. intended for the
United States. to Europe and HODgkong
under documents in which these coun-
tries are given as the ports OF final des-
tination. as will appear from the fact
- k-Fa
million dollars worth OF hemp was ex-
ported from the Philippines to the
United Kingdom in the year 1902, while
in similar period the importations of
this fiber into the United States coming
from the latter country amounted 10
nearly four and a quarter millions.
In the fiscal year Of 1902 there was i'm
ported merchandise, exclusive OF gold
and silver. to the value OF 1924. 342.
showing an increase OF nearly s.. 900 900
over the same period Of 1901. and ex-
ceeding all previous figures for any sim
gle year in the history OF the archi
pelago.
The total importajions received from
the date OF American occupation to and
including June 90 1902. amounted to $780,,
I35, 694, on which The total duty approx
mated over 81. 5O0. 600. OF. based on
complete yearly periods covered by the
last three fiscal years. it would appear
that an average annual import trade OF
more than s27. 500 900 has been main
tanned. the United States sending mer-
chaudise TO the amount OF $4,035,24S in
1902. as against s2.S55. $50 In 1901. and
81 $50. 7OI in 1906. or an increase for the
past year over 1900 OF 143 per cent.
The export fgGres Of the archipelago
in the fiscal yer 1902 were larger. with
but two exceptions-1870 and 18Ss-tnan
I'm any year OF its history. The last
fiscal year shows an increase over 1901.
t23, s27. 67s worth OF merchandise having
been exported. OF which the United
Kingdom and United States received
nearly $4,000. 900 IN practically equal
proportions However. the re-exportation
OF hemp 20 this country for the past
year coming from the United Kingdom.
places the United States far IN advance
as the leading market for Philippine
products al the present time.