The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-02-18
United States Leads All Other
Countries in Sales
Of Manufactured Goods i'm the
German Markets.
AMERICAN NOVELTIES
Have Become Attractive to Buy
ers All Over Europe.
We Now Sell Silk to France and
Tin Plate to Wales.

Washington, Feb 1S-The important
document entitled Review of the for
eign commerce of the United States in
1901 showing the pace at which this
country ran during the last calendar
year in the great race for supremacy
in trade in the worlds markets has been
made public by Frederick Emery, chief
of the bureau of foreign commerce OF
the state department.
1t is stated that the commercial re-
ports of diplomatic and consular officers
last year record continued growth in
the sales of many lines of manufactures
from the United States in foreign mar
ketS and the increase of the general
concern of Europe as to the possible re-
suits of our industrial competition. AL
though the figures of our exports COM
piled by the treasury department show
considerable falling off in the total
value of manufactured goods sent
abroad, it is stated there seems to be
steady and uninterrupted spread in the
popularity of what may be termed
american novelties all over Europe.
By the word novelties are meant not
only labor saving implements and ma
chinery which are strange to most Eur
opeans but a great variety of articles OF
merchandise all of which possess dis
tinguishing points of excellence and rel
ative cheapness, new to Europe which
commend them to purchasers there in
preference to similar articles of home
manufacture. In other words While the
aggregate of our exports of manufac-
tured goods has shrUnk the variety of
our sales in Europe is being extended
and the territory upon which they are
encroaching is being constantly enlarg-
ed.
A striking example of this is in Aus
ria-Hungary, where imports from the
United States are increasing rapidly
That country originated the idea OF
European combination against America
in trade and there the hostility of the
industrial classes is most pronounced.
Thn tad heads
of countries selling to Germany and is
causing the economists of that nation
much concern. Indeed, it is pointed out,
this same concern iSs felt in France,
Great Britain, Belgium. Switzerland and
the other highly developed manufacture
ing countries of Europe. 1t is shown to
be a fact that we are now supplying
European nations with goods which
have for years been distinctive of the
countries themselves and which we used
to import from them. We eXportssilk to
France, tin plate to Wales, cOttons to
England and our California fruit is
making such headway in Spain as to
provoke the query in Spanish newSpa-
per: Shall we live to see American or
anges on the Valencia market itself?'
In Belgium itself more American goods
are being consumed than ever before.
The falling off in American exports
is attributed not to the goods being in
less favor, but rather to business de-
preston in Europe affecting the pur-
chasing power. The elimination of f1a-
wall and Porto ft1cO from the IlSJ OIL
countries to which we export also is a
factor. The treasury figures show that
during the calendar year there was
falling off of $12. 565, 1874 compared with
the previous year, manufactures falling
off SAG, ,262, ,912, but being offset by a
gain in agricultural exports of $35,591,-
or Mr.. Emery says it is evident that
the American invasion of Europe has
ceased for the time being to be of that
sweeping character that DISTINGUISHED
it at first as an economic phenomenon"
He recalls what was said a year ago in
view of the danger of more strenuous
European competition, the use of new
processes and our own models of ma
chinery but he says that Europe has
not made any sensible progress in that
direction. AS to restrictive legislation,
pending measures in Europe might be
abandoned, says the review, if the
United States modified it's tariff policy
and permitted more imports from
Europe. AS factors making in our fa-
vor, the review points to alleged OBJ
struction by British labor which in
creases our trade opportunities. to the
combination of labor and capital mere
as shown at the recent conference of
employers and employees in New York,
energy is so far but partly developed.
have hardly more than entered upon
a novitiate in fitting ourselves for in
ternational competition, and he notes
with encouragement the growth of
much popular interest in the value of
foreign trade and well directed efforts
for expansion.