Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-07-28
Our Foreign Trade.

Sho"i Dy JN5t eA'NH 49, -
Washington, by the Bureau of Statistics
Of the Department of Commerce and
Lobor In 1893 our total exports to
China were less than s4.000,000. Dur
ing the last fiscal year they amounted
to $19,000,000. The Department calls
attention. however, to the fact that
this total does not represent the
aggregate of our exports to the Ce-
lestial Empire, inasmuch as the
great bulk of exports to Hong
Kong eventually find their way to
the Chinese market. The tremen-
doug growth Of our foreign exports has
been a vital factor in the splendid
prosperity of our country during the
past six years. This growth, too, be it
remembered has come about under the
practical application Of the protective
system-immediately following a pc
Rod Of unparalleled hard times under
facts of current history have effectually
silenced the free traders who were wont
to declare that we could never build up
a foreign trade except upon a free trade
basis The fist result of our increased
foreign trade mas been to afford a
profitable outlet for our surplus pro-
ducts. This has enabled our factories
to run to their utmost capacity. and
has largely stimulated all lines Of in
dustrial enterprise. AS a result labor
has been everywhere employed at good
wages, and the consumptive capacity Of
our great home market-the best in the
world, has been increased to the high
est point in the country's history. Be
cause of this the farmers, who have in
the main, been blessed with abundant
| crops. have found a ready market for
their products at their own doors, and
have thus been enabled to share sub
stantially in the general prosperity.
AS the world grows older it recog-
nizes more and more the principal Of
Incorporation. The interests Of men
must always be. to greater or less ex-
Ftent interdependent. and what helps to
promote the prosperity Of one class of
orr citizens must necessarily promote
in some degree, the prosperity of all
classes Of our citizens
| Every man. therefore, who enters into
the industrial life of our nation, has a
personal interest in the increase Of our
foreign trade-and must recognize the
fact that China with it's teeming mil
lions offers the most promising
field for the extension of that trade.
Hence, the strenuous insistence Of our
government upon the open door" poll
cy in that section of the world.
Comparing our growth of trade in
China with that of our commerce with
other parts of the world. it may be said
that our total exports to Europe in 1903
aggregate a little over $1,000 900, 900
against 1866, 10000 in 1898, having
therefore increa sed less than 80 per
cent during that period; those to North
America amount to about $4,000, 900,
against $l19,000,000 in 1893, hhving
! thus increased about 80 per cent: those
to South America aggregate about Sal,
i 100000 against $32, 100000 in 1893, an
i fncrease of about 30 per cent: those to
/ ASH in 1903 aggregate about 100000.
900, against s16,O0Qo0o in 1893, an in
crease of 275 pei cent To Oceanica the
total for the year is about $36, 900 900
against 81, 100000 in 1898, but are not
properly comparable with those OF 1893
because of the fact that they do not in
clude the commerce with the Hawaiian
Islands, which is considered as a part
of the domestic commerce Of the United
States and separately stated. To Afri-
ac the total exports for 1903 aggregate
about $3s,OOO.OoO, against a little less
than $s,ooO,ooo in 1898
| 1t is apparent from these figures that
the growth in our exports to Asia has
been more rapid than to any other sec
ton Of the world, except Africa, and the
growth in the exports to China has
been a very important factor in the
growth of shipments to Asia. Compar-
ing the growth of our exports to China
with thhose to Japan, it may be said
that our total exports to Japan in 1903
aggregate bout $21.000,000 against
$4,000, 900 in 1898, the increase to Japan
having been slightly greater than that
to China.
The following table shows the total
value Of exports from the United States
to China and Hong Kong, respectively.
in each year from 1898 to 1908, the fig
ures for June, 1903, being estimated:
| Exports to Exports to
| Year China Hong Kong.
| 1S93 - 81 900. 451 $4216.602
| 1891 ~ 5SG2326 42h9,Sll
| 1891. . 1908 $40 4253.04c
d., lHg6,. ..... 6921.933 469l, 20l
! 1887 ,.......... :. 1894, 433 6O6o. 03y