New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-01-02
IFroua The Tribune Bureau

washington Ian. 1-"Steady progress ap-
nears IN he the watchword of the Republican
Marty in its guidance Of the affairs of this coun-
try and the year just closed has proved no eA-
ception to the rule. For ten years the COM
MERGE of the country both domestic and 1olel7iL
has shown steady progress. In the year 40o'
there was no abatement Of that prosperity which
has so long blessed the United States ana ne"
records not remarkably in advance Of the pre-
vious year but still sufficiently so to indicate
substantial progress, have been made. Ihere
seems TO be little doubt that the total forelsh
commerce of the United States, including I'M
ports and exports, will exceed S3,Voo,ooooOV I"'
the first time IN the history of the nation Last
year the grand total of foreign commerce
amounted to S2.775,O 100000 that, the last
wear exhibits an increase Of approximately
1925 100000 while the final statistics may
prove the increase to have been even larger.
Nor has this increase been attended by any
dtminution of the balance of trade. for this year
the exports have exceeded the imports by
5000 100000 This calculation is based on the
statistics for the twelve months ending with
November. during which the exports amounted
to 81 SO7 900 900 and the imports 20 SL-S'-
100000. according to the latest compilation OF
the bureau Of statistics Moreover. in the m
crease of total commerce noted. the greater m
crease is in exports The increase of imports
over those Of 1908 will doubtless somewhat eI-
coed 800 100000, while the increase of exports
will amount to upward Of $125!oO0OOO.
WITH INSUIAR POSSESSIONS.
Nor should It be forgotten that from the sta
tistics showing the foreign commerce OF the
nation there has been deducted. within the last
decade, an immense sum which is now included
under the head OF trade with tho non-cohlsU-
GUS territory Of the United States. ms IN
cudes, OF course, all the commerce with for'o
Rico and the Philippines. which formerly went
to swell the figures of the foreign trade AT
present, under the head OF non-conuguous ter
ritory, are classed Alaska, Porto Rico. Hawaii
the Philippines. Guam, Midway and Iutula'
The trade of the United States with these ter
ritories for the year will approximate S1+VVo'-
600. of which sum SS5,OO0OoO is represented oy
imports and S55OOoOOO by exports, II these
terms are permissible in referring to trade with
the insular possessions Of the nation.
There has been no extraordinary development
Of the foreign trade in any single direction, but
a steady increase Of commerce in practically all
directions While the figures show some falling
off in the imports from South America, this is
due to a reduction OF the amount Of coffee I'M
ported from Brazil and possibly TO a somewhat
lower price paid for sugar In particularlzlns
It Is Of course. necessary TO use the statistics
for the first ten months Of the calendar year
In one instance there has been peculiar change
in trade results. The exports to ASIA COM
posed chiefly of the purchases Of Japan and
China exhibit a decrease of S43 100000. China
imnorted less Of American products to the
amount of S24 100000 and Japan S19000ooQ
less than the year before. On the other hand,
the imports from Asia show an increase of ST.
100000