Arizona republican., 1905-09-30
rIexico's Prosperity.


 Mexico seems to have encountered little or no difficulty in adjusting her commerce and industry to the single gold standard. There was some nat ural apprehension before the change of monetary standards was effected last April that closing the hints to the free coinage of silver would de- press the mining industry, reduce ex- ports. tighten the money market and check-at least temporarily-both pro- duction and consumption. Long and careful preparation for the demoneti- zation of silver has. however, neutral ized the disturbances so generally feared and Mexico's first year under the gold standard has brought no diminution of national prosperity. On the contrary, foreign commerce is still rapidly increasing, and internal development has apparently been stimulated by the creation of a fixed and stable basis of values. The gold standard has already justified itself in the impetus it has given to trade and the confidence it has inspired in Mex ico's financial and industrial future.
 The Mexican treasury has just is sued some statistics showing the gains made in foreign commerce in the fis- cal year 19O4-'O5. According to these figures printed and analysed by the New York Tribune, imports amounted in value to sS5.761.OS1. The imports for 1902-'03 were valued at S75,905.- 900; so that in the last two years Mex ico's purchases from foreign countries have increased s1O,OOO, ,OOO. or 1S.S per cent In spite of any possible contrac- tion in purchasing power attributable to a change from the silver to the gold standard, Mexico bought more goods abroad last year than in any other year in her history. Exports have increased at an even greater rate than imports In 1902-'03-under the silver standard-the exports reached the value of sS3.O93,O 900. For 1904-'O5 the total was $1O4 800, ,OOO a gain of nearly s22,OOO. 900. or 26 per cent. Ex- ports, besides increasing are becoming more diversified in character. Mexico has always sent abroad large quanti
 ties of silver. both as coin and bull lion. Ten years ago more than half her export trade was in gold and sil- yer. For 1S93'94 exports of the two precious metals amounted in value to $25, ,25S, ,OOO, against S17, 7,355OOO for oth- CT merchandise. In 1902-'03 the totals were: Gold and silver. $40.495. 900; other merchandise SAP, ,S69, 900. In 1904 'O5 there was another gain in the val ue of merchandise proper, the to- tals being: Gold and silver. 46,OOO.- 900; other exports. $5S.OO0,0O0. There was an increase of $3.OOO.O0O in gold shipments over the year preceding and a decrease of S6,75O 900 in silver ship ments. Other industries are making relatively greater progress than min ing and smelling. and a more diver sified export trade is being built up. This Is in itself an evidence of sound CT conditions and healthier progress. l
 As with Cuba, the United States is making steady and satisfactory gains l in the Mexican market. Of Mexico's | total imports in -'O5-$S5, 761 ,OS1- S4o,0u0, lOf was cTeulI6Q 10 the OulIeu ! States. This was a gain over 1903-'O4 of $6,OOO, 900. Ten years ago We were l selling Mexico goods valued at only l s12,S42, 149. Formerly our share of Mexico's import trade was. roughly | speaking, 25 per cent. Now it has risen to 56.4 per cent. We are talk | ing now about two-t thirds of Mexicos | exports, and with the great extension | of the railroad systems connecting the | two countries our share in Mexican l commerce will become more and more l controlling. Everything indicates a continuance of the era of rapid and | orderly development which our south ern neighbor is enjoying. In her pros perity we have d direct and friendly | interest, for the relations of the two 1 republics are such that each will al- ways find in the others territory an ! accessible and advantageous market.