Omaha daily bee., 1903-04-28
OUR 0REAr FoREIGr COMMERCE.

Everybody Is aware OF the fact that
our foreign has been growing
very rapidly in recent years, but not
many know how marked this Increase
has been. Such information is supplied
by comparative figures Of the bureau Of
statistics, just completed. These com
pare production and expectation of
manufactures with production and eX-
portation of agricultural products, the
purpose being to show the relative
growth in each case. The statistics
show that in 1900 the expectation of
manufactures was twenty-five times as
great as in 1850, the increase In the ex-
portation of agricultural products being
very much less. Since 1870, for in
stance, the value of manufactures eX-
ported has increased over 537 per cent,
while the value of agricultural products
exported has increased only a little more
than 131 per cent. 1t should be under
stood, however, that the total value of
the latter exported in 1900 was almost
double the value of the manufactures,
so that it is our agricultural products
that make the large trade balance in
our favor.
In the matter OF imports, also, III
foreign has been growing In
the last few years, the importations
during the twelve months ending with
March being the largest of any year in
our history and exceeding $1,000,0O0,-
600. This still left a balance in favor
Of this country for the year of $413,-
100000, which must be regarded as en-
tirely satisfactory. The increase in i'm
ports, which is of course an evidence of
the general prosperity, continues,
though consisting to a considerable ex-
tent of manufacturers materials. I'm
portations will decline should labor
disturbances seriously impair indus
trial activity. That is what is now ap-
pretended from the threatened labor
troubles. If these shall be averted, as
1t is most earnestly to be hoped they
will be, there Is every promise that the
existing Industrial activity will be
maintained and that our foreign COM
merce will continue to increase.
Careful observers of industrial and
commercial conditions point out that we
are now expanding our production In a
way that will soon outstrip the growth
of population and the demands Of the
home market; that we shall have a
large volume of products to send abroad
besides the surplus of food and raw ma
terials derived directly from the soil,
and then there will be a check unless a
ready outlet is to be found. ut be-
hooves u.s." says a writer on the sub
ject, ito have an eye to that future
when we shall need a larger foreign
market and to remember the last ad-
monition of President Mckinley, when
he reminded the country that in order
to sell 1t must buy" There Is no doubt
that If the rate of production of the
last few years is maintained, not to say
increased, we shall have a very large
surplus to be disposed of abroad, and
the question Of securing the foreign
markets Is certainly a very important
one. We have here the greatest mar
ket in the world, but It cannot consume
indefinitely all that our industries are
capable Of producing. We have tc
meet a strong competition abroad and
are threatened with an extensive sys.
tenn Of discrimination. These are con.
dltions that make the subject of holding
and Il possible charging our foreign
trade one of commanding interest.