The Washington times., 1903-03-03
PHILIPPINE COMMERCE
IN MONTH OF NOVEMBER
Increased Imports Due to
Crop Failure.
STEADY GAIN IN EXPORTS
Nearly All Goods Coming From the
United States Carried Under
American Flag.

Tho Bureau OF Insular Affairs of the
War Department has received the com
plete official figures OF Philippine com
IuerCe for November. 1902. The i'm
portations for the month. exclusive OF
gold and silver and Government sup
plies. were valued at approximately
$4,000 or slightly in excess Of the
average monthly trade in eleven months
OF the calendar year 1902. More than
half OF this amount is credited to the
purchase OF food articles. and is due in
a great measure to crop failures as
result OF the recent series OF calamities
which have visited the archipelago.
The exports show a trade OF nearly
three and a half million dollars. the
largest monthly export showing since
American occupation. with the Reception
of that for September last Hemp
shipments approximated three-fourths of
this amount. nearly 81. 600. 900 worth be-
ing sent TO the United States.
Increase Over Previous Years.
In eleven months ending November 30.
1902. the total imports were valued at
$50 573.S72. Duty TO the amount OF more
than seven millions was collected. an
increase over each OF the two previous
years.
A steady gain is shown in the exports
for eleven months OF 1902. as compared
with the figures for each of the two pre-
ceding years. The total value OF this
trade in the last calendar year period
amounted to S25.J67, 269 producing Gus
toms revenue Of approximately 5 per
centum ad yalorem. Expectations to he
United States are valued at nearly So
100000 as compared with showing OF
but 81. 500 600 in 1900. In these years the
trade in hemp has increased in value
from $4,000. 900 in the earlier period. or
which the United States received IS per
centum. TO 81 1900 900 in 1902. when 60
per centum OF the total hemp shipments
came to this country.
Duty on Hemp.
Under the present Philippine customs
tariff the export duty On hemp is fixed
at IS cents per 100 kilos (22O pounds.
However. this tariff charge is refunded
TO the exporter upon proper showing OF
compliance with the requirements Of
section 2, act OF March S. 1902. providing
that:
'Ali articles. the growth and product
OF the Philippine Islands admitted into
the ports Of the United States free OF
duty under the provisions OF this act
and coming from said islands TO the
United States for use and consumption
therein, shall be hereafter exempt from
any export duties imposed in the Philip
pine Islands"
A further provision Is made whereby
the import duty collection Cat rate OF
Is per centum Of the Dingley tarifD on
Philippine goods entering the United
States would be transferred 10 the in
suiar treasury.
Value of Hemp Rebates.
The operation Of this act. covering the
period from date OF its passage up 10
January OF the present year. discloses
the fact that hemp rebates to American
tradesmen amounted to nearly 1885,. 600
while the benefit accruing TO the islands
was but $4,000. or net loss OF 1872. 900.
In connection with the movement OF
vessels engaged in the Philippine trade
in 1902. II may prove OF interest to note
that practically % per centum Of goods
coming from the United States was car
ried in vessels flying the flags OF other
countries. and % per centum OF the pur-
chases credited 10 this country were
shipped from the archipelago in vessels
clearing under a foreign flag