Omaha daily bee., 1902-09-08

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ton Of exports sent to that point. with
the completion Of the harbor improvements
at Manila. which are now we'll under way.
and with the honest and equitable pert
charges which are now in vogue, Manila
Is destined to secure from Hong Kong a
great part Of the trade now controlled By
the latter. Manila is by nature located
for the distribution Of imports and exports
Of eastern Asia and Oceania.
The distribution of imports by continents
for 1901 was: Europe, "A per cent; Asia,
AZ per cent. and North America. 70 per
cent. There we're no imports from South
America and but an insignificant amount
from Africa. OF exports Europe received
81 per cent. Asia % per cent, North Amer
lea 10 per cent. Australasia supplied 2 per
cent Of imports in exchange for 2 per cent
Of exports.
Distribution of Exports.
For the three years named United States
took q. 10 and 10 per cent OF the exports
respectively; United Kingdom, "a, IS and
20 per cent; Germany, less than 1 per
cent for each year; France, 3, II and ;
per cent; China. including Hong Kong, q
per cent In 1898, but in 1900, when ex-
ports to Hong Kong we're first recorded
separate from those Of China, the latter
is discharged with but 1 per cent, and in
1901 less than 1 per cent Of the exports.
Hong Kong receiving 16 per cent in 1900
and ~ per cent In 1901, which would in
dictate but little actual trade with China
in 1899; Spain, Z, Z and ) per cent for the
three respective years; Japan, Z, 3 and s
per cent; British East Indies, 3, 4 and 3
per cent, and all other countries, 1. Q and
4 per cent. The great increase OF exports
40 Hhn TTasN,A L4--I.a. II
cipally OF hemp. a large portion Of which
eventually reached this country; the ex-
ports Of this article to the United States
shows over 81, zoo, 900 increase in 1901 over
1899. While the United States is yet be-
hind certain other countries in the Philip
pine trade, there has been a great in
crease In It's exports to the islands, which
during the last years of Spanish control
amounted to an annual average of barely
3 per cent Of the total, as compared with
IL per cent In 1901. The twelve principal
articles, in the order of their Importance,
exported from the United States during the
year 1901 were malt liquors, wheat -four,
iron and steel and their finished forms,
paper in it's different forms, distilled spir-
It's, glassware, care, carriages and bicycles,
oils, cotton goods, wood and it's manufac-
lures, leather and its manufactures, and
watches and clocks.
Take More wheat Flour.
The importations Of wheat -four amounted
In 1899 to 1882 ,261, In 1900 to $475, 236 and
in 1901 to $553,S6 Of which the United
States furnished II per cent in 1899. 90
per cent in 1900 and 50 per cent in 1901;
this would indicate a remarkable increase
in the ratio supplied by the United States,
but as China. including Hong Kong, is
credited with 81 per cent in 1899 and Hong
Kong alone with sc per cent in 1900, the
presumption is that the shipments so noted
FOR these two years originated IN the United
States. One Of the remarkable features
In of recent years is the new
and rapidly increasing demand for wheat
flour in such countries as China, Japan
and the Philippine islands. It will be a
matter of prime Importance to North
America should the people Of the Philip
pines adopt wheat flour as a staple article
Of food instead Of rice, the latter being at
the present time imported by them in
enormous quantities from the East Indies
and China.
Great Britain Leads in Cotton.
Cotton goods constitute the most i'm.
portant imports of the Philippines, aggre-
eating more than $40 900 in 1901, which
was nearly one-fourth Of the total amount
of merchandise imported during that year.
These goods we're furnished by many coun-
tries. the United Kingdom leading with As
per cent, Spain following with IL per cent,
British East Indies with 10 per cent and
Germany 9 per cent. The United States
furnished but 2 per cent. The quality OF
the goods is a matter OF first Importance
In this trade, as the people of the Philip
pine islands are like those Of other trop-
zeal countries In preferring the cheapest
material obtainable. provided 1t be in hashy
colors. 1t may become possible later on
to induce the people to choose a better
grade OF these goods, but II will require
considerable time, and IN the interim it
will be necessary to cater to the peculiar
tastes Of the natives In order to secure
their patronage.
Hemp Chief Export.
In value Manila hemp constituted very
nearly two-thirds, or SIS, 976, $40 OF the ex-
ports Of the stands for 1901, the United
Kingdom taking 65 per cent and the United
States 20 per cent direct; more than $780,
900 worth went to Hong Kong, but doubt
less nearly all Of this eventually reached
the above named countries. The United
Kingdom. via London, the controlling
market. distributes hemp to continental
Europe and furnishes the United States
about one-half Of the latter's supply. II
seems probable that the United States will
soon secure its own hemp from the Phil
ippines by direct shipment, as the change
made affecting export duty presents ad-
vantages to American importers OF which
they will naturally avail themselves. A
divergence of the bulk or OF a large part
OF this trade 10 United States will doubt
less have a tendency to increase exchanges
OF other commodities. Exports of hemp
have Increased largely since the Spanish
American war, the quantity for 1901 being
in excess Of 1899 nearly so per cent and of
1900 40 per cent and In value nearly 100
per cent and 20 per cent, respectively,
This wide difference in value would seem
to indicate a great depreciation In the
selling price OF hemp, but 1t must be re-
membered that owing to the effect of the
war the price OF hemp was greatly in
fiated and the demand for II for some time
after the war was In excess OF the supply.
With the return Of peace and the in
creased output the price has naturally
again become normal.
Tobacco was next in value as an EXPORT
in 1901, showing a healthy increase. which
promises to continue. The figures for teua