New-York tribune., 1902-05-25
THE TREND OF TRADE.
TORRID AND TEMPERATE ZONES NUT
UALLY DEPENDENT ON
EACH OTHER.
EACH OTHER.
LRr TELEGRAPH TO TIE rR1RrvE. ]

IBY TELEGRAPH THE TRIBUNE1
Washington May 24-The natural trend of inter
national commerce is north and south rather than
east and west In other words, trooical produe-
tions form large share Of the importations Of al
temperate zone countries, and, on the other hand
the tropics depend temperate zone countries .or
a good part of their food and clothing.
The importation of tropical and sUb-tropical IIod-
ucts into the United States averaged in the last
ten years more than S300o0.QC0 year. and has
often exceeded $3.50 100000. it may now be said
that these imports average fully Sl,00OOoo a day.
These imports include, sugar, coffee raw silk india
rubber, fbres, fruits. nuts tobacco tea. spices.
cabinet woods. indigo, cinchona, chocolate, etc.
and they all. with the possible exception OF sugar
and silk. can be produced cheaper in the torrid
than in the temperate zone and include fully 40
per of the total importations of the United
States.
The tendency of temperate zone nations is de-
their intercommerce by a gradual process
OF manufacturing equalization. and this very process
will call for constantly increasing supply of
tropical products either food the material
for manufacture.
1t is self-evident that there is advantage al
most a necessity. therefore. for this country TO
look for constant supply of these tropical products
and not permit itself to become entirely dependent
the production Of colonies of other and possibly
unfriendIy countries for almost all tropical lands
are governed by temperate zone powers. The ex-
perience of all colonizing nations is that capital
from the mother country seeks investment in trOp
ical colonies for the production Of articles de-
manded by the home market When American
capital sees that this country paid last year over
$4,000 900 coffee s2SOO0OOO for india rubber
and than s22 COO 900 for bres 1t will naturally
look about and if there is terxjtory con-
trolled by the home government where these
products could be raised. Capital naturally prefers
its own territory. for there is thus secured the
assurance Of permanency Of government and the
safety of investments The tropical regions of
Central and South America do attract capital.
notwithstanding their nearness 70 great markets.
because they are in state of chronic revolution,
and therefore remain undeveloped. while The Meth
erands. the Indies. Ceylon and other English trop
cs have afforded permanent and profitable invest
ments for the capital OF their home lands.
The increased production In our insuar territory
since acquired possession thereof is worthy Of
a passing remark. Our imports from Hawaii. for
example in 1880 amounted 70 si60sfH: in 1880 they
$l2.3i390s. while in 1890 they amounted to
s2O.707 e8. Our imports from Porto Rico also show
While FOR fs the trade s ePcw to @ S
The tropical colonies Of the world SHOW the same
tendency 70 sell cirect TO the governing country.
The British colonies sell 70 per cent Of their
The Dutch colonies sell 43 per cent OF their prod
The French colonies with tariff between the
i've Two countries sell 70 per cent Of their products 10
without tarf between the two Countries sell 6s
per cent OF theiT products 10 the mother country
Porto Rico sells - per cent to the United States
Hawaii sells es.4 per 20 ,he United States
ony to the home land. -'''
Equally important IS the return current. which
manutactures OF the parent country. Under the
the United States concluded in 1876 the production
OF sugar in Hawaii has increased twe9tyfold. in
pacity and. while the United States sold only
sales had increased TO si259.llS in 1890 also a
twentyfold Increase
This is the experience OF other nations Great
1rI9 BFah 90 OBTAINS tan much larger share Of the COM
governmentahy related 10 her and the same is
true of France and Holland. our brief expert
ence with Porto Rico leads to the same conclusion.
Our exports TO the island have been as follows:
isss sss 81 Isl e2s 1900 2e1 sa2
e.r. Thus while Porto Rice exports the United
states have grown rapidly, her imports from the
United states have grown even more rapidly.
ends OF the line. and trade becomes more direct
with fewer middlemen to stand between producer
These currents of trade from the tropical colony
velop the direct and rapid communication between
and tn tn bs s 81 closer IOi
Another result proceeding from the political tie
between temperate and tropical lands is the in
separate them Great Britain grants free trade
10 her colonies France does the same with por-
States has granted free trade Hawaii and Porto
Phppine products by Is ner cent " ,I on II uEtldots m I
question OF time when trade viii be free between t
temporary intervention in Cuba has created an
overwhelming sentiment In favor of a substantial
letting down of the tariff restrictions between the
the mutual trade created bctWeen them S Snd 1Se f3
governing country. but they also become centres
secured. For example the countries gTo1ped
around Hong Kong. Singapore and Manila have
OF $l00oovt0 month. of articles chiefly produced
through. Hong Kong and Singapore a trade Which
AnounteG am n iSio TO $lOono9 to trade which
increase OF l2O per cent in sixty years This COM
meTGe Gonsised Tor ne most part Of breadstuns
United states can furnish more cheaplv than
unt from Manila the nsd 9hS staies question 1 OF time
its just proportion of that commerce.