The Delta independent., 1925-01-09
Philippines Have
Prosperous Trade

Washington, Jan s. Under the
protection and wise guidance of the
United States the Philippine Islands
are enjoying a highly satisfactory
merchandise trade. In the last pre-
war year the total trade of the Phil
ippine Islands was a little over S101,-
100000. In 1928 that trade reached a
total of $2OS,55O, 900, and for the cur
rent year it is expected to reach
$240, 100000. The share of the
United States in that trade during
1928 was 65 percent, compared with
13 per cent at the close of the Span
ish domination of the islands. From
the beginning of the American rule
in 1899, to 1913, the total trade of
the islands showed a fairly steady
advance year by year with an average
total trade of $67OOO,OOO. When all
the world was buying madly in 1920
the Philippine foreign trade reached
a record figure-$3OO 900
In 1922 there was a decline in total
trade, a symptom which was world |
wide. That year the Philippine trade
INll " 1888 lLleii PI DrVOU.NUU. me re- 4
adjustment, lately becoming more
and more pronounced was discernible. |
and the relation of exports to imports |
for that year left $15.3S5 900 to the
credit of the island business. The
year 1928 showed a still further re-
cuperation in commercial activities,
which resulted in the trade above
n1nntfnnnI r-fg1Ifr,cr I,1 ]
to the islands of $33, 1858. 600. Trade
for the current year will probably |
yield a somewhat similar balance.
Our chief purchases from the
Philippines consist of the famous
Manila hemp, or abaca, sugar. to-
baccO, and rice. The native textiles.
pima and just have found consider
able favor in this country, and a |
large amount of copra is purchased |
from the islands. OF late years Phil
ippine straw hats, of which the cele- /
brated Balibuntal is an example, |
have found a good market in the
United States, rivaling the Panama in |
popularity. The cabinet woods of the |
Philippines have not yet been proper |
ly brought to the attention of Amer |
lean furniture manufacturers. The !
red nara, and other varieties are
among the most beautiful woods in |
the world. The potentialities for
rubber production are vast, particu-
larly in the island of Mindanao and
adjacent areas, and if properly de-
veloped our dependence on British
and Dutch rubber sources would be
materially lessened.
With the terrible expose that has
been going on lately in the form of |
series of articles prepared by a wom-
an author of probity and fine attain |
ments, the talk of immediate indie |
pendence for the Philippine Islands. |
stimulated for a short time by the
promise of completing autonomy held
out in the Democratic platform of |
1924, has greatly subsidized Undoubt
edly the mass of the Filipinos are
convinced by experience. if not by
argument that they are better off
under American rule than they are
under a despotic bureaucracy. The
majority of the natives would hardly
indorse the assertion of one or two
of their plotting leaders that they
would prefer home rule with all it's
drawbacks, to American guidance
with all its benefits.
Our Pacific trade CAsia and Oce-
asia) for the current year will show
close to $1,6OO,OOO.OOO. Situated in
the center of those great markets for
American wares is Manila, where
the finest entrepot in that quarter Of
the globe could readily be establish.
ed, project which would give
great stimulus to Far Eastern purch.
ases of our goods. 1t would not be
surprising if some time during the
administration Of President Coolidge
the adyisability Of establishing such
an entrepot was officially called to
the attention of the Congress of the
United States, and steps taken to
make it an actuality Such action
would be in harmony with Republican
constructivlsm.