The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-06-19
PHILIPPINE COMMERCE..
Increase in tho Volume Of Trade-Exports
tho Largest Since American Control.

tho uSaf8eot Sinc0 American OOntrO'
WASHINGTON, June 1s-The condition
Of commerce in the Philippines during the
twelve months ending. December, 1902,
as compared with figures for the previous
years Of American occupation, Ia shown
by the annual review Of import and export
figures about to be published by the 1nsular
Bureau OF the War Department.
In the comparisons the general result in
dicates a steady increase in the volume OF
trade, imports during 1902 being greater
than ever before, the value Of purchases
amounting to t3s, 342 ,l0s as against $50, :
All In 1901. which figures arc exclusive OF
gold and silver and large quantities OF
material bought in this country and passed
through the Philippine customs houses
free OF duty for use as Government supplies,
both military and civil
Tho item Of food supplies during 1902,
ranked close to that Of manufactured arti-
oles. being valued at nearly $4,000 900.
or two-ffths OF the total imports, a material
increase over 1901, when the proportion
Appropriated one-fourth Of the incoming
trade. Nearly 10 per cent. OF the food
stuffs purchased In 1902 was admitted free
OF duty under the Philippine tariff modi-
fcauons in effect during the year, and.
exclusive OF rice, the trade OF the United
States clearly outolasses that Of any other
country in furnishing to these islands their
necessary foreign supply Of food products.
While tho total imports during the last
year show gain Of about 10 per cent.
as compared with the previous year. the
duty collected amounted to $7,879 ,s22, as
against 37.3i3,74 In 1901, or an increase of
less than per cent, although It is thought
that tho lower price Of imported commodi-
ties, as result OF the change in tariff will
eventually increase the amount OF impor-
tations, making the revenue greater than
under the former tariff.
The outgoing trade OF the archipelago
for the last year shows an increase in round
numbers Of 100000 over 1901, exporta-
lions amounting to nearly $40, 900 900 In 1902,
the largest since American control, and
with the single exception OF the year 1880,
the best available returns. or the leading
articles exported, hemp, sugar, tobacco
and copra, the first mentioned comprising
81 per cent Of the total exports, shows
tho most noticeable gain in value, there
being an increase Of more than n 900 900 in
the shipment Of this product.
1902 amounted TO 3l,241 ,9l7, as against
Ss2O,72s In 1901. OF the duty collected In
1909, however, approximately 1886 900 was
subject to return as rebate on hemp ship
ments to the United States.
In tho movement of vessels engaged In
Philippine trade it is shown that o. per
cent. OF goods coming from the United
States was carried in vessels flying the
flags Of other countries, and practically
% per cent. Of the purchases credited
to this country were shipped from the
archipelago In vessels clearing under
foreign dag.
Statistics for 1902 show the arrival OF
30 $40 immigrants as compared with 1880
in 1901. The Americans numbered 1884,
or moro than one-haf of the whole num-
Der In 1909, q large increase over 1901, when
but s,771 Of the arrivals were Americans.
The different professions and trades are
tione are that desirable classes whose
presence viii be a stimulus to the progress
OF the islands made up large percentage
OF the arrivals.