Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1909-02-10
Customs Report Made On
Sugar Output Of
Islands
NORMAL CROP $4,000 TONS
BEFORE AMERICA CANE IN
Now Dropped To ss,ss4, or 10 Per
Cent Of Total Exports-Why
Some Comes TO the
States

Vi lCUo. IL TtpTtntuNS pi' p'N"S"'
status Of the Philippines on the sugar
question::
On the other hand. sugar, which Is
the second product of Importance
both In value and tonnage, aided In
sustaining the volume Of trade by an
increased expectation as well as pro
portionate value, over the quantity
and value of that article marketed
during the preceding year,
The average quantity Of sugar ex'
ported annually since 1898 has been
so, 994 tons, from which the average
yearly receipts were 3,464,027. consti.
tuting 10 per cent Of the total export
values.
The production Of sugar In the
Philippine Islands began In 1856, and
for several years after II became a
substantial factor In the commerce OF
the Islands the profits of the industry
were proportionately large. During
this period no efforts were spared to
increase the output to the utmost ex
tent, but, owing to local conditions
the annual production was never
forced much beyond the normal crol
Of from $780, 900 to 1850 tons.
The most successful years, In poin
OF production were 1902 and 1908
when the total annual exports were
approximately 100000 tons. But II
recent years, since Philippine suga
has been practically excluded, by tar
liz barriers and bounties. from tn
most profitable markets, the lot OF pre-
.ducers has been a precarious one In
deed, and their profits. when sue
: were realized, distressingly small. A
though this experience has been tr,
: ing one, the result. In combinatio
) with other conditions anticipate,
should prove d permanent benefit
i the industry in the future, as til
small returns realized from shipment
to other countries have led to the Il
PRODUCTION Of sugar, as n staple con
; modify, Into the interior Of China wit
It's millions of consumers, where Il
use was practically unknown twent
J Ave years ago.
But Chinese buyers will not pa
: more for Philippine sugar than II
u worth for shipment to other market
understanding perfectly well that
offering the equivalent Of European
American market values (whichev'
= happens to be the higher, LEI
. freight, and other expenses attendaI
y upon the long shipments to those ma
kets, they will usually be given Il
preference, because their market
!. within easy reach. settlements a
). more easily and quickly made. al
they ask no questions about polariz
ton. sugar being bought and sold
China entirely upon It's color.
: That China Is the natural mark
for Philippine sugar, and that II W
= continue to be absorbed In that cou
e try. at prices fixed by competition,
Il exchange for the many articles whit
: China furnishes for Philippine co
sumption, is clearly indicated by Il
= sugar movements Of the present yes
II When the shortage Of crops In 9th
J. parts of the world became known, h
d price of sugar rapidly rose in Weste
u markets, few cargoes were sent
: the United States on speculation, b
III as soon as the Chinese buyers foul
J. that the rise In value was a fact, tn
'r Immediately responded by offering
IL equivalent, and since then practical
= all shipments have gone to CHR
l. which received SO per cent OF the ,
tire expectations of the year.
In order TO turn this importa
trade with China into a permanent
profitable factor Of Philippine CO
p merce, We must have the regular CO
petition of better offers, than "
usually possible, for shipment Ell
where; and II has been In the col
dent belief that this relief would
extended by Congress, through the
moyal of the tariff upon Philippine
gar entering the mainland terrific
that producers have continued ope
lions and even endeavored to incref
Is their output.
In view OF the fact that the Unit
Sc States pays annually 100000, 900,
more, for sugar produced In forei
. lands mot including purchases fr
Porto Rico and Hawaii amounting
over si5,0O0,OO0), while the ent
Philippine crop, in the year of gre
est production and at the high