New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-03-19
OUR BEST CUSTOMER.
atlantic Ocean the Great High7Cay
of american Trade.
From The Tribune Bureau. ]

Washington March 1S.-Europe takes two-thirds
OF the exports OF the United States. and supplies
practically one-half OF the imports. This statement
summarizes in a single sentence the general facts
which have been developed by series OF discus
sions OF the trade OF the United States with the
countries Of Europe. recently presented by the De-
partment OF Commerce and Labor through Its Bu-
reau Of Statistics. These discussions have pre-
scented an analysis Of the trade with each country
Of Europe by principal articles and when sum-
married show that Europe takes more than
billion dollars worth OF the exports from the
United States. while all other parts of the world
take little less than half billion dollars worth
In year since 1899 has the value Of exports 10
Europe fallen below $1,000 10000 while that to all
other countries has never touched the &o00Oo0o
mark Prior 10 1900 the exports to Europe had
been much $1,000 900 600 in value; in that
year they crossed the billion dollar line being
a.04oO00O0 and have since that time averaged
about 81 $50 10000 year. 1900 the exports all
parts Of the world other than Europe 1854.
10000 I'm value. but they have grown year by year
until in 1905 they 0OOO the growth since
1900 in exports the nEurOpean countries having
been propordonately greater than that TO Europe
On the import side Europe supplies, already
indicated, about One-haf OF the merchandise
brought into the United States Prior 10 1870 the
share Of the imports drawn from Europe aver
aged about 50 per cent: after 1880 the average
little more than 90 per cent; in 1895 it was 4S4
per cent. This reduction I'm the percentage Of the
imports drawn from Europe is apparently account
ed for by the growing demand in the United States
for tropical and subtropcal products which are
supplied almost exclusively by the other grand
divisions Of the world. The value of tropical and
subropcal products brought into the United States
in 1905 sos 600 co. against S03 10000 in 1895 and
S218,CoO00 in 1885. Most OF this class Of imports
comes. Of course. from the on-European sections
Of the world; much Of it from South America, es-
pecially coffee and india rubber; much Of It from
the southern part OF North America. especially
sugar. sisaI ana tropical fruits considerable part
from Asia including tea raw silk and spices while
Oceania contributes sugar spices. cocoa and other
products of this character, and Africa Egyptian
cotton. india rubber. hides and skins, and a small
supply Of sugar.
The trade IN the United States with Europe is
composed on the import side chiefly II manufact-
ures and materials for use in manufacturing; on
the export side Of foodstUfs manufacturers ma .
ported from Europe are chiefly the higher grades !
and. in many cases. hand labor. largely enters .
while chemicals, certain grades Of iron and steel (
hdhliactuTes TOYS, vines, emma ana poIcelaln cut
and plate glass, and other articles OF this kind /
contribute largely 70 the Grand total! In ADDITION
European countries certain articles the product of
dfa rubber fbers. tobacco. hides and skins. wool
tin raw silk. diamonds, and various tropical and f.
Europe are chiefly breadstuffs. meats and live .
cattle and fruits for food; raw cotton for use in
manufacturing, ana variety OF manufactures, in
Guiding copper in pigs. bars and iugOts. mineral /
2l agTicultgral implements boots and shoes. man
-aole oils naval stores and various manufactures .
OF the sl,G2l 10000 worth Of merchandise sent 70
Europe IN 1900. SZ39, GlJ.0G1 manufactures the .
other S1s2F""o worth being largely foodstuffs and .
manufacturers materials. With the growing ten
1encE u our steadily increasing population con-
lne at home larger share Of the foOdstUffs pro-
1lced IN the United States, and TO increase the +
consumption by our own factories the supply
which can be spared for Europe is decreasing .
rather than increasing, and consequence the .
OF exports sent to Europe is slowly de
LTeasiuE.
Prior TO 1887 the share or our total exports sent
70 Europe was more than - per cent. since that
time the percentage has gradually fallen. until
reached = per cent in 1902 and I'm 1905 was only
80 per cent Of the total while the share of the
exports taken by those grand divisions 10 which
the exports chiefly manufactures shows an in
creased percentage in 1905 compared with 1904