The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1904-03-19

of the treaty between Korea and the
| United States in 1852 was Immediately
followed by a visit from a Korean en-
bassy to Washington, sent to exchange
ratifcations of the treaty. From this time
forward Korea was opened to foreign
trade and western civilization. and the
Korean government established its lega-
tons in the United States and other great
commercial nations. With the opening
of the treaty ports and the establish
ment of commerce an official record Of
Korean imports and exports began This
shows imports in 1854 amounting to about
$4,000 and exports amounting to s475 90
By 1890 imports had grown 10 $3.50. 600
and exports to s2.975.000 In 1894 imports
and exports fell considerably belo-v those
Of 1890. but in 1897 again increased. being
for that year of imports about s., 900. 00J
and exports about four and half mill
lion dollars. In 1902 the imports at the
treaty ports amounted 10 about s. 700. OO0
and the exports Of merchandise to about
A,20o,oO0 In addition to this. exports of
gold amounted to over 100000. while
the imports and exports at other than
treaty ports are estimated as being suff-
cient to bring the total commerce of 1902
up to fully sl5,O0o,oOo exclusive of gold
exports which. rs above indicated
amounted to about 100000.
The most important articles in the ex-
port trade are rice. which shows an an
nusl expectation Of moro than a million
dollars: beans. a half million. ginseng.
nearly a half million; and hides about
one hundred thousand dollars in value in
the latest available year OF the impor-
tations. cotton goods form the largest
item. from 5 10 ; million dollars per an
mum; silk piece goods imported tom
Japan and China amount 10 500 thousand
dollars: railway materials. about 80 thou
sand dollars; mining supplies. about 200
thousand dollars; and bags and ropes
for packing. $50 thousand dollars Of
the cotton goods imported in 1902 British
shirtings formed the largest single item.
amounting TO $50 thousand dollars: British
and American sheetinGs, 20 thousand dol
lars: japanese sheeting. $50 thousand dol
lars; japanese piec goods and japanese
yarn for use in manufacturing cotton
cloths SOn thousand dollars Korea. ike
China, is now drawing considerable
quantities Of cotton yarn from Japan and
considerable supplies Of cotton manufac-
lures. Great progress is being made by
japan in the manufacture Of cotton. and
in addition 10 supplying cotton cloths 20
China and Korea in large quantities il
is ROW supplying the cotton yarrs which
are used in household manufacture as
well as in certain Of the cotton mills
which exist and are proving quite sue
ecssful
The foreign commerce is carried on
through the treaty ports 81 Chemulpo.
Fusan. Wonsan. Chinaupo. Mokpo. Kun
san, Masampo and Song Chin. Chemulpo.
which IS located on the western coast Of
Korea. about midway from its southern
most point II the northern boundary.
has by far the largest commerce Its
imports in 1902 were reported AZ le55 90
out Of a total Of sl.s2o.oaa. The exports
OF Chemulpo. however. are very much less
than those OF other ports. being $500
in 1870 ont OF total OF sl.sSo eoa. Its pre-
eminence over the other treaty ports a a
point of importation is due largely 10 the
fact that il is Of itself a considera bic
city with a comparatively large foreign
population and is in direct railway COM
munication with the capital OF Korea.
Seoul, which is only thirty-ive miles dis
tant
The total value Of the imports ana ex-