The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-06-04

may be assumed that the United States
supplied in 1903 about 20 per cent of the
total merchandise entering China.
In 1890 the United states was supplying
but per cent of he imports of China
dncluding Chinas direct imports from
the United States and our exports to
Hongkong), in 1896 we supplied per cent
of the imports, in 1904 about 10 per cent,
and in 1905 about 20 per cent In 1890 the
United Kingdom supplied q per cent of
the imports of China dncluding exports
to Hongkongl, in 1890 continental Europe,
except Russia, supplied about per cent
of the imports of China, in 1896 little
over per cent, and in 1904 IS per cent
china's Imports.
Chinas recorded imports from the
United States plus our exports to Hong
kong have grown from 8 million dollars
in 1890 TO 31.6 millions in 1904, and GA mil
lions in 1905. The imports from the United
Kingdom, including those through Hong
kong, were, in 1880. a millions. and in
1904. GO millions, an increase of 16 mil
lions. Those from continental Europe
we're. in 1890, million dollars, and in 1904,
IS Millions an increase of IA millions.
Combining the United Kingdom with con-
tinental Europe, it will be seen that all
Europe increased by "a millions its share
of the imports of China from 1890 to 1904,
while the United States alone increased
Sc millions from 1890 to 1905. Yet the
fact that China in 1904 imported rs mil
lion dollars worth of merchandise from
Europe shows that there still remains a
field for the enlargement of American
trade in that country, since practically
everything that Europe supplies is of a
kind which may be produced in the United
States.
OF the 235 million dollars worth of I'M
ports into China in 1904. the latest year
for which detailed statistics are avail
able, about one-half Is of classes of goods
which the United States may hope to
share in supplying such as cotton cloths,
As million dollars worth; mineral oils 10
millions: copper. millions; iron and
steel. millions: railway material, mill
lions: machinery, 2 millions: wooden and
worsted goods, S1a millions; flour, 2la
millions: cigarettes. millions; paper, 2
millions; wines. beer and spirits, mill
lions; wood and timber, millions and
the remainder miscellaneous merchandise.
OF the DC million dollars worth of cot
ton cloths imported into China In 1904,
about 50 millions worth is recorded as
American" OF the 10 million dollars
worth of mineral oil imported, one-half
is designated as american" and for
the first time includes oil from the Pa
cifc coast. OF the 6 million dollars
worth of copper imported and million
dollars worth of cigarettes, large pro-
portion was from the United States, and
of the 21a millions worth of flour. prac-
tically all was from the United States,
partly by direct Importation, but chiefly
by way of Hongkong.
Cotton Goods Market.
Thus there remains market for SO
million dollars worth of cotton goods
10 millions, mineral oil; 6 millions, iron
and steel manufactures, including machin-
cry; millions, railway supplies. and 80
million dollars worth of miscellaneous
manufactures for which we may compete.
1t is in miscellaneous manufactures and
merchandise that the greatest opportun-
ty now awaits the American exporters in
the market of China. OF cotton drills
and sheetings we are supplying about
three-fourth of the total imports. OF the
s million dollars worth of shifting inn
ported in 1904, we supplied less than mill
lion dollars worth, and of the 16 million
dollars worth of miscellaneous cottons,
such as T-cloths. cotton Italians, hastings
cotton flannels, towels. and printed goods
of various sorts. the United States Is not
mentioned in the official reports and APP
pdIthtlN participates III out very small de-
gree, If at all. in supplying them. Most
of these miscellaneous cottons which are
now chiefly or exclusively supplied by
other countries are of special qualities
which require them to be especially manu-
featured for China and for similar mar
kets In southern China which has a
tropical or subtropical climate. goods Of
an extremely light weight are required
and local customs in certain sections de-
mand them in dark colors. In the T-cloths
hastings, weights. colors and patterns must
be recognized in the manufacture by those
who expect success in the local mar
ket.
The principal articles exported to China
are cotton cloths. copper. mineral oil
cigarettes. flour and miscellaneous manu-
features of iron and steel. OF the ex-
ports in the calendar year 1905. cotton
cloths were valued at $33 ,514.S1S: copper
$l1 747, 267: mineral oil. Sc. 4S5. 5S7; manufact-
ured tobacco. chiefly cigarettes. 81 300, AS
and -four s445,O53; but to Hongkong the
exports of flour were s.. 903. 1854 a large
proportion of which went into China
The principal imports from China are
| raw silk. tea. hides and skins wool. mat
tings. and opium. The value of raw sill,
imported from China in the calendar wear
1915 was 80 5S9: of tea. $5155.S40: of car
pet wool. 81 2O461 The figures of the hs.
cal year 1905 show the value of opium
from China as 81. 400 94s and of hides and
skins, s2,535,241. of which over million
dollars represented goatskins