Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-02-18
OUR FOREIGN TRADE.
Remarkable Growth Of the Var.
iety and Extent Of Amer.
ican Exports.
Value Of Sales Abroad in 1901
Was Less Than Those
OF 1900.
Territory Is Greatly Extended
and European Countries are
Much Concerned.

Washington, Feb 1S.-Important
documents 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
wear in the great race for supremacy in
trade in the worlds markets, have been
made public by Frederic Emery, chief
of the bureau of foreign commerce,
state department. 1t is stated that the
commercial reports of our diplomatic
and consular officers last year record
lines of manufactures from the United
States in foreign markets and an in
crease of general concern thruout Eu-
rope as to the possible results of our
industrial competition. Altho the fig
ures OF our exports compiled by the
treasury department show consider
able falling off in the total value manu-
able falling off in the total value OF
manufactured goods sent abroad, 1T is
stated there seems to be a steady and
uninterrupted spread in popularity of
what may be termed American novel
ties" all over Europe. By the word
novelties" are meant not only labor
saving implements and machinery
which are strange to most Europeans,
but great variety of articles of mer-
chandise, all of which possess distin-
guished points of excellence and rela-
tive cheapness, new to Europe, which
commend them to purchasers there in
lI.,, t,,1a Hf hny M
manufacture. In other words, while the
aggregate of our exports of manufac-
tured goods has shrunk, the variety of
our goods in Europe is being extended
and the territory upon which they are
encroaching is being constantly en-
larged. A striking example OF this is
lin Austria Hungary. where imports
from the United States are increasing
rapidly. That country originated the
idea of the European combination
against America in trade, and there
hostility to the industrial classes is
most pronounced. The United States
again heads the list of countries selling
to Germany and is causing economists
OF that nation much concern.
Indeed 1t is pointed out this same
concern Is felt in France, Great Britain.
Belgium and Switzerland, and other
highly developed manufacturing coun-
tries in Europe. 1t is shown to be
fact that we are now supplying Euro
pean nations with goods which have
for years been distinctive countries.
themselves and which we used to inn
port from them. We export Silk to
France, tinplate to Wales, cottons to
England and our California fruit is
making much headway in Spain. In
Belgium more American goods are be-
ing consumed than ever before. The
falling off In American exports is at
tributed not to goods being in less
favor. but rather to the business de-
pressions in Europe, affecting the pur-
chasing power. Elimination of Hawaii
and Porto Rico from the list of coun-
tries to which we export is a factor.
Treasury figures show that during the
calendar. there was falling off of
$12, ,565,194. compared with the previous
year, manufactures falling off s46,262.-
9l2, but being offset by a gain in agri-
cultural exports S35.591,0 In con-
Guiding his report Emery says we have
hardly more than entered upon a no.
yitiate in fitting ourselves for inter-
national competition, and notes with
encouragement the growth of popular
interest in the value of foreign trade
and we'll directed efforts for eXpan-
sion.