The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-02-18
Present Conditions Anoma-
lous but Encouraging.
DECLINE IN EXPORTS
This is Offset by Some Compensa-
tory Features.
FOREIGNERS SHAKE WITH DREAD
summary of a Years Operations
Showing How Our Sales of Nam
ufacturers Flourish,

Washington, Feb. 18.-An : important
document entitled Review of the Foreign
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 Charles Emery, chief of the bureau
ment. It. is stated that the commercial
representatives of our diplomatic and con-
sular offices last year record continued
growth in the sales of many lines of man
ufactures from the United States in for
eign markets and the increase of the
general concern throughout Europe as to
the possible results OF our industrial COM
petition.
Although the figures of our exports
show a considerable. falling off in the
total value of manufactured goods sent
abroad, there seems to be steady and
uninterrupted spread in the popularity of
what may be termed American novel
ties" all over Europe. BY the word ''nov-
elites" are meant not only labor-sa saving
implements, and machinery, but great
variety Of articles Of merchandise, all Of
which possess distinguished points of ,ex-
Europe, which commend them to pur-
chasers there In preference to similar
articles of home manufacture. In other
words, while the aggregate of our ex-
ports of manufactured goods has shrunk,
the variety of our sales In Europe is being
extended and the territory upon which
they are encroaching is being constantly
enlarged.
A striking example Of this is in Austria
Hungary, where imports from the United
States are increasing rapidly. That ooun-
try originated the idea of a European
combination against America in trade,
and there the hostility Of the Industrial
classes is most pronounced. The United
States again heads the list of countries
selling to Germany and is causing the
economists of that nation much concern.
Indeed, it is pointed out. this same con-
Germ is felt in France, Great Britain, Bel
GUM, Switzerland and tie other highly
developed manufacturing countries OF
Europe.
We are now supplying European nations
with goods which have for years been dis+
t1nctiye of the countries themselves and
which we used to import from them. We
export silk to France, tin plate to Wales,
cottons to England, and our California
fruit is making such Roadway in Spain as
paper: "Shall we live to see American
oranges on the Valencia market itself?"
In Belgium more American goods are be-
ing consumed than ever before.
The falling off in American exports is
attributed to- business depression in
Europe: The elimination Of Hawaii and
Porto Rico from the list of countries to
which we export, also is a factor. The
treasury figures show that during the cal
| ender year there was falling off Of
$12, $50, 1914 compared with the previous
year, manufactures falling off $46,262 ,912,
but being offset by gain in agricultural
exports Of $S5,591,07.
''Invasion" Checked.
Mr.. Emery says it is evident that "the
American invasion" of Europe has ceased
for tie time being to be of that sweeping
character that distinguished 1t at first as
! an economic phenomenon. He recalls
what was said in the review a year ago
| of the danger of more strenuous European
competition, the use of new processes and
our own models of machinery, but he
says that Europe has not made any SEN
sible progress in that direction. AS to
restrictive legislation, pending measures
in Europe might be abandoned, says the
review, II the United States modified its
tariff policy and permitted more imports
from Europe. AS factors making in our
favor, the review points to- alleged OBJ
struction by British labor which increases
! our trade opportunities; to the combina
tion of labor and capital here as shown
at the recent conference of employers and
employees in New York and to the fact
that our competitive energy is so far but
partly developed,
On the whole Mr.. Emery finds that's we
have hardly more than entered upon a
novitiate in fitting ourselves for interna
tional competition, and he notes with en-
couragement the growth of popular inter-
est in the value of foreign trade and we'll
directed efforts for expansion.