The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-03-07
RAPID DECREASE IN
 TRADE WITH CHINA

Trad of the United States with Chi na in the calendar year 1916 was the largest in the history of our, commerce with that country. It totalled $ll1,- 557.0O0 against $72,686,000 in 1915, and $56,672,0O0 in 1914, having thus practically doubled in two years These figures relate to China proper and do not include the trade with Chlna leased territory, which was in lsi6 nearly $4.0O0,000.
 The exports to China in 1916, S31,- 515,0O0 were, according to complla- ton by the Foreign Trade Depart ment of the National City Bank, or New York, larger than in any earlier calendar year except 1905, the year 1n which demands for American cottons at the close of the Russo-Japanese War brought China's imports from the United States to an exceptionally hlgn figure. The imports from China In 1916, $So,O42.o00, were larger than in any former year, the total of l9l5 having been but $52.838,000, and 1914 $36.814,OOO. Exports to China Tn 191S are 50 per cent. in excess of 1915 or 1914, and the imports from that country, nearly 60 per cent. Tn ex- cess of 1915 and more than double those of 1914.
 This increase in our exports to China is especially interesting in view of the fact that it occurs chiefly Tn iron and steel manufactures, usually considered an important barometer or trade and industrial development or the importing country. The total value of iron and steel exported to Ch1- na, in the fiscal year 1916 was $5,543'- OoO against $2,710,000 in 1915, $2,- $40. 900 in 1914, and $2,27O,OOO in 1913. Bars and rods of steel, for ex- ample. exported to China in 1916 were 2s.855. 900 pounds against 9,650,0O0 in 1915, and the value $552,000 against srss, 900 in 1915, and $75,000 in 1914. Wire nails to China in 1916 amount ed to 20,626,000 pounds against lO,- 65S,0o0 in 1915, pipes and fittings, s161. 900 against $56,000 in 1915. Tin plate was 35,409,o00 pounds against 22.900,OOO in 1915 and 8,988,OOO In 1914, the value being in 1916 $1,249,- GOO against $682,000 in 1915, and s29e,OOO in 1914, Wire in 1916 was 1A,482,000 pounds against 1,81O,OOo In 1915 and 1,3S7,000 in 1914.
 Cigarettes show also marked in- crease. The total value of cigarettes exported to China in the fiscal year 1916 were $2,476,O00 against $1,lS2,- 900 in 1915, while the figures of the calendar year 1916 show total Of $4,s92,0 900 against $1,72S,000 in the calendar year 1915. Automobiles show a slight increase, amounting in the fiscal year 1916 to $192,O00 against $I2O,00O in 1915, and railway cars, $134,O00 against $51,000 in the pre- ceding year. Electrical machinery, was in 1916 $40S. 1000 against $2S6.o0o in 1915.
 Cotton goods exports to China have greatly fallen in recent years, owing to- the fact that Japan, her near neighbor, has become a large manu- facturer of cotton goods. The class of manufactures which she produces for her own people are acceptable Tn form, colors, etc., to the people or China. while the fact that they are offered through Japanese salesmen, familiar with the customs and lan- guage of China adds materially to their acceptability by the merchants of that country.
 Tn cotton cloths, the movement from the United States to China con- tinues to decline, the total of cotton cloths exported to that country in the calendar year 1916 having been but 2742.OOO yards against 21,117,Q00 in 1915, se,440,00O in 1914, and 116,- 1T6,00o in 1913; the value in 1916 was $240,000 against $1,383,00O in 1915. $2,79O,OOO in 1914, $S,014,O00 in 1918 2and $33,515, 5,00e in 1905, the high<record year in exports fo cot tons to, China. British exports of cotton piece goods to China in 1916 were 377,425,O00 yards against 577,-