The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1903-09-21
BRITISH GIVE THEIR FIGURES.
Blue Book Shows Exports Declined
and Imports Rose.

London. September ie.--On the heels Of
the Premier Balfours speech at the
Academy university OF his views on the
fiscal problem, contained in the pamphlet
on "insular free trade advance sheets
of which were issued last week came
the long promised and much demanded
government statistics dealing with that
subject. They were issued today by the
board of trade in the shape of blue
book of nearly 500 pages of bewildering
tables of figures showing the various
aspects of British and foreign trade and
INDUSTRIAL conditions No deductions We're
drawn, though the publication teens with
interesting testimony upon what are re-
garded as points Of fact. The refer
ences to foreign trade were chiefly con-
fined TO France, Germany and the United
States The Pail Mall Gazette says it
understands the cabinet has concluded
the considera ton of its fiscal position and
its policy in regard thereto; that no fur
Their cabinet meetings will be held Tor
the present, probably not until late III
the autumn. and that in the meanwhile
Colonial Secretary Chamberlain viii pro-
cced with his expostory programme. The
paper adds.
lit will probably be found that he has
modified his proposals so as to bring
them in harmony with Mr.. Balfour's
views as set forth in the pamphlet. The
main feature Of Mr.. Chamberlain's
notifications will be the disappearance of
all suggestions in the direction of the
further taxation Of foodstuffs and raw
MATERIAL
Consideration of the war commission
report is reserved for future meetings OF
the cabinet.
The Pail Mall Gazette believes it is
stin possible that there will be more
than one resignation from the cabinet.
One OF the most important phases dealt
with in the blue book are imports and
exports. Tables show that exports from
the United Kingdom to the United States
declined from Sl45, oOo,oOO in 800 TO
S97. sec. 900 in 1902. while the imports
rose from SASS, 900 900 to $685., 900 900.
The total exports to all foreign coun-
tries declines in the same period $50 oO0,-
OOO though when the colonies are In
cludcd the decline only amounts to So
600. 600 The proper Con of the United
Kingdom exports as between protected
and united protected countries in the
narketS of the world has been reversed
since 1890 Then it was Sc per cent
to the protected countries and Al per
cent to the others In 1902 the proper
ton was AZ per cent to the protected
countries and So per cent to the others.
A valuable explanation is given of the
tN'C'|N
exports which has so often been held to
be sign of British trade decline. The
blue book says that while the excess
yearly averages about $500, 600. 600 the
income received from foreign investments.
calculated at s3l2, 500 900, added to the
earnings of the British merchant fleet
ensag cd in foreign trade calculated al
$3.50 coo OoO is probably more than suf-
ticient to account for the average excess
Of imports.
Such estimates have never been in
Guided hence the misleading character
of the usual figures. Americans have made
large investments in the United Kingdom
of recent years and American repur-
chases of railroad and other securities
are admitted to have to some extent
affected the fiscal figures, but they are
not likely to form a serious factor
Much attention is devoted to the tin
plate industry and the effect of the
Dinglov ana Mckinley tariffs. The fig
ures show that the total exports of tin
from the United Kingdom has declined on
a little over S5,OOo.ooo since 1897 with
. marked Increase in the quantity pro-
drocd ana in the value of number of
mills since 1893.