The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-04-18
WAR BOOSTS OUR
FOREIGN TRADE
Shipments of Puget Sound
Ports Almost Equal Those
of San Francisco,
Globe Special Washington Service,

Globe Special Washington Service,
1417 G Street.
WASHINGTON, D. c., April IL
What effect has the Eastern war had
on the foreign commerce of the Pacific
Northwest and the tributary region
along the northern railroads, from the
coast to Minnesota? 1t is a little too
early to judge with accuracy, but the
indications are that it has helped more
than it has hindered
Both Japan and Russia bought more
from us in January and February than
IN the same months of last year, but it
is impossible to what extent these pur-
chases were in preparation for the
coming war, and to what extent pur-
chases will be hindered by the actual
conflict. One thing is certain: japan
bought enormous quantities of food
stuffs for the army as late as last
month. The detailed figures are not
at hand, but it is probable that the
regular channels Of japanese trade in
creased, just as they did in normal
times prior to the war.
Russia, from now on, may buy less
on the west coast of this country, for
her commerce Is disturbed by the up
per hand which the japanese fleet has
secured in far Eastern waters. In Feb
ruary, the full record Of which came to
hand few days ago. our shipments to
Japan were larger than in the same
month of 1903, and to Russia they
were very much larger. In the case Of
Japan, at least, the increase was large
ly in shipments from Puget sound. In
March there was a sharp increase in
exports to Japanese ports, especially
from the SOfIn6 and this NO
rectly to the needs Of Japan's army in
the field. In February our exports of
flour to Japan were $513,605 as against
$141, 465 in the same month of last
year. This increase was not, however,
because of the war, probably, but in
spite of 1t, for the shipments Of -four
TO the japanese in the eight months
ended Feb. % were $4.260,616, as
against $1,219,S78 in the same period
of the year before. 1t is not conven-
lent to give the corresponding record
for Russia, as the statistics of exports
to that country last year were includ-
ed under the heading 'other Europe"
The flour exports to Russia last Feb
ruary were $119,126. The Oriental
trade generally has been on the gain
for several months; but the real test
of the wars effect on Pacific coast
shipments will be seen when the COM
plete official figures for March are
r0duy. Inc war began IN E6DruaTyS
in March 1t was we'll under way. q.
overtaking Frisco.
The growth of foreign trade. on
Puget sound has been recognized by
the department of commerce in a
striking way The department has
begun to publish the record of ship
ments of provisions through the Sound
ports, although formerly these ports
were included under "other districts"
The department every month pub
fishes a special bulletin of exports Of
breadstuffs, cotton and provisions, the
latter including cattle, hogs and sheep.
The supremacy Of the Sound district
over California in breadStuff ship
ments is we'll known. 1t now appears
in the March record of provision eX-
ports, where the Sound is mentioned
separately for the first time that the
shipments were almost as large. as
those of the San Francisco district.
The exports from the Sound of all
provisions, including cattle, hogs and
sheep, amounted to S34,799. as against
$36,794 from San Francisco and for
the first nine months Of the fiscal year,
SAT- ,109, as against $51S,256.
The March exports of grain and
flour from the Sound were larger than
those from the San Francisco district,
the figures being, respectively, $563,SS6
and $519,5SS. Walter E. Clark.