The Atlanta constitution., 1903-12-14
CHINA IS QUITTING THE
COTTON MARKET
Great Slump in the Demand for the
South's Staple Shown by Re-
cent Consular Reports
Austin Talks of the
Reduction.
BY los: OH.


Washington December U.-(Special)-
What is the matter with the Chinese
market for cotton goods? Why has
there been such a marked falling off in
the exports of cotton goods from the
United States to China as is shown by
the figures of 1908 as compared with
those Of 1902? Are other countries un-
derselling us in the Chinese market or
is the slump due to dimlnuation in
China's ability to purchase?
These and similar questions have been
50 often asked Secretary Cortelyou by
exporters and cotton mill men. particu
larly from the southern states, that he
has had chief Statistician Austin pre-
rare brief summary of the situation
The figures of the department of COM
mcrce and labor show that in the ten
months ending with October, so3 the
alue of all exports from the United
states 10 China was Sl3,325 sIs against
S20, ,oe0,7 zoe in the corresponding months
of 1902, and Sl5,5l6,5 ,529 IN the corre-
spending months of 1901. An examina
Ton of the details of our exports 30
China show that this reduction is al
most exclusively in cotton goods The
10 China from the United States in the
zen months ending with October. I9o3,
was SS.5i6.693. against Sl4, ,633.57 In
fhe corresponding months of 1902, and
ss. SIS. SCI in the corresponding months
of 1901; While of other cotton goods, our
exports TO China in the ten months Of
903 were S26 3o5 against S5I.loo III
The corresponding months OF 1902. and
sl22. .a86 in tAe corresponding months OF
9oI.
Cause of Reduction.
AIr -AJstin's examination to the
cause of this reduction indicates that
The failing off is due to a general re-
duction in the popularity or relative
snare which the cotton manufacturers OF
Tie United States have in the total i'm
ports into China While the exports of
cotton goods from the United States TO
China DO show a large falling off during
tais period, this Is also the experience
OF other countries supplying China with
cotton goods
The United Kingdom. India. Japan and
he United States are the chief countries
supplying China with her importations
of cotton goods. An examination of the
October statement of exports from the
United kingdom. covering the ten
Htt+tllL5 ga iSO0 SliQiie fANil OGlODGi,
shows that her exports TO China III
Guiding Hong Kong, of piece goods gray
or unbeached in the ten months Of 1903
were l8i.459.5 SOC yards, against 247. i57.
500 yards il the corresponding months
Of 1902 and 1855 400 yards In the
corresponding months Of 1901. OF
hleached piece goods the number of yards
exported 10 China from the United King
dom was io5 4e7 400 yards in the cor
lasponding months OF 1901. Combining
all classes OF piece goods. the total
ports from the Cnited Kingdom to China
in the ten months ending with October,
1908. were 4O5 e64 700 yards. asains.
5o7, 800 yards in the corresponding
months of last year. and 3e2. Ie4, 900
yards IN the corresponding months OF
col In tho case of India the total
exports of piece goods 10 China In rIla
SIX months ending with September. 1908,
we're 1886 yards, against 2 6O8 3Oq
Yards in the correspos ding six months of
1902 and 26S.6I9 yards in the corre-
spending months of 1901, the total for
SIS months Of e05 being therefore but
about 3 per cert Of those of 1902 and
nHt onc-third ot those of leoi. The Jap
s4csc monthly statements Of exports do
'ot state quantities in sufficient detail
- render practicable a determination OF
ne quantity cf cotton goods exported to
'fid- Dti Inc lelai value OF cotton
Issues exported from Japan to China IN
he nine months ending with September
: siVen at 2.o56 .272 yen equivalent to
o25.oo against .852, iO2 yen Tor
$50 oool in the corresponding months
uf 1907. which figures in Wow of the
Increase TN prices Of cotton goods during
'he va4r. would Indicate no material
Increase in the comparatively small guam
ify supplied Ia China by Japan
General Decreases.
hese Ggures oC the shipments Of cotton
aodS from the four principal countries
applying the cotton imports of China
afing tie latest available Tnonths in
ZEE present year seem TO indicate that the
reduction which has been noted in the
yports rs cotton goods from the United
states to China is no greate~ than that
he other principal countries applying
fta cotton imports of China, and that In
oar owa case, rs well that of other
Countries. the reduction is due to n gem
ertl decrease in the Importation of cotton
goods into China in the year loo3 as com
ared with immediately preceding years.
F9iS thf0rV e also .;!lDuOrted hV Sllch