744
THE PHILIPPINES
With the best of natural facilities for rice culture the importations are constantly increasing. Imports of rice rose from 83,523,552 in 1899 to 85,108,341 in 1991, exceeding in value as an imported article by cotton goods only. In 1899 China furnished more than 93 per cent., but the trade has shifted to French East Indies, British East Indies and Siam, their united supply in 1901 being 71 per cent., China's less than 28 per cent.
Importations of tea in 1901 amounted to 893,690 as compared with 815,753 in the preceding year. In 1901 British East Indies furnished 57 per cent, and China 42 per cent. Steam and sailing vessels valued at nearly $1,000,000 were purchased in 1901, the United Kingdom furnishing 41 per cent., Hongkong 22 per cent, and the British East Indies 25 per cent.
The importation of wood and its finished forms have increased very rapidly, the figures being for 1899 $194,601, for 1900, $223,504, and for 1901, 8532,572, the United States having 15 per cent. of the trade of 1901.
In value, Manila hemp exported constituted very nearly two-thirds or $15,976,640 of the exports of the islands for 1901, the United Kingdom taking 65 per cent, and the United States 26 per cent. direct; more than $830,000 worth went to Hongkong, but doubtless nearly all of this eventually reached the above named countries. The United Kingdom via London, the controlling market, distributes hemp to continental Europe and furnishes the United States about one-half of the latter's supply. [Since 1902, how- ever, increasing quantities have been shipped to the United States for distribution, as a consequence of the free admission of the produce of the Philippines into the United States, and the refunding of the Philippines export duty on produce so shipped. Manila hemp, which constitutes about 75 per cent. of the total value of the exports, is therefore, if shipped direct to the United States, entitled to the return of the usual export duty of £1 118. 2d. (approximately) per ton.]
Tobacco was next in value as an export in 1901, showing an increase, which promises to continue. The figures for 1899, 1900 and 1901 were $1,931,232, 82,261,232 and 82,631,941, respectively. There was a very wide distribution during 1901, the countries taking the most being Spain, 26 per cent.; United Kingdom, 23 per cent; Hongkong and Australasia, each 15 per cent. There was a slight decrease noticeable in the export of the leaf in 1902, but the export of cigars to the United Kingdom was treble
that of 1901.
Sugar exports for 1901 show an increased valuation of about $160,000 more than the previous year. The development and prosperity of the sugar industry will depend to a great extent upon the adoption of modern economical methods of reduction. "Of the two and a half million dollars worth exported in 1901 Japan took 49 per cent., 39 per cent. was shipped to Hongkong, and thence probably re-exported, and 12 per cent. went directly to the United States.
Copra is the next most important article of exports. Quite a variation is noted in the values in the last three years, rising from $726,653 in 1899 to 8,182,481 in 1900, then falling to 81,611,838 in 1901, in which year 69 per cent. was shipped to France and 21 per cent. to Spain. No attempt has been made to instal machinery for crushing copra and extracting the oil.
The year 1902 was a somewhat unsatisfactory one for the trade of the islands; they were still feeling the effects of the war and had many serious difficulties to contend with; lack of capital and labour, to a large extent, handicapped agricultural and commercial development, capital from the Unite 1 States not having been attracted, and the admission of Chinese labour being prohibitedl. In addition, rinderpest and cholera brought agriculture to a stand-still in many districts. The continued appearance of bands of marauders also prevented the country from settling down, and the insecurity of property caused by their raids had a very prejudicial effect on trade in the interior. The abnormal fall in the value of silver largely interfered with import business. The total value of the exports for 1902, however, exceeded slightly those of 1901. The British Consul in his report remarks: "An enormous increase is noticeable in the case of exports to the United States, shipments thither being treble the value of those of the preceding year, while there is a decrease in the case of all other countries. This result is mainly due to the fact that by Act of Congress, March, 1902, all articles, the growth and produce of the Philippines admitted into the United States free of duty, are now eligible for a return of the export duty imposed in the Philippines so long as shipped to the United States direct, and proof be submitted of their importation and consumption there.'
The articles of imports into the Philippines of which the United States are now furnishing notably more than any other country, are:-Art works, including paintings and statuary, watches, glass and glassware, telegraph and other electrical machinery, pipes and fittings, stoves and ranges, trunks and valises, plated