TRADE FOR FIRST SIX MONTHS OF 1898.

The following table gives the imports and exports of Switzerland during the first six months of 1898, which does not include the minted precious metals:

The foregoing table shows that during the first half of the year 1898, Switzerland imported goods to the value of $29,277,230 more than she sold, and this is an increase of $3,513,113 over the same period last year. During the same time, Switzerland exported $498,515 more than in the same months of 1897.

Statement of exports from Switzerland to the United States during first six months

During the same period last year, the amount exported to the United States was $7,337,977. This shows a clearance for the same period this year of $1,383,887. But as the first half of 1897 was the period when a vast amount of goods was shipped to the United States to avoid the new tariff, it is necessary to take the first six months of 1896 in order to make a fair comparison. We find that during that period $6,151,614 worth of goods were exported to the United States, and this amount, compared with the exports for the same period in 1898, shows a decrease of only $197,524, which can be accounted for by the large stock of goods which was piled up in New York the first six months before the present tariff took effect.

The imports into Switzerland from the United States, as shown in another part of this report, have increased $2,384,615 in 1897 over the imports of the same period of 1896. There are no statistics obtainable for the first six months of 1898, but there can be no question that there has been a marked increase of exports from the United States into Switzerland during the period mentioned. Of the nations which have had an increase of exports to Switzerland during the year past, the United States stands third. French exports increased $2,846,000, Italian $2,403,000, and the United States $2,384,615; while the increase of English exports was only about $400,000, German $250,000, and Russian about $350,000. The exports of Austria show the largest decrease, being about $900,000 worth.

ST. GALL, September 20, 1898.

JAMES T. DU BOIS,
Consul-General.

SWISS EXPORTS IN 1898.

The exports from Switzerland to the United States for 1898, with the increase over the preceding year, are as follows:

In 1898, $6,274,615 worth were exported from St. Gall; in 1897, $5,713,461; an increase of $551,154, principally embroideries.

Zurich exported $2,784,347 in 1898 and $2,589,272 in 1897, showing an increase of $195,075, principally silk, cotton, and straw goods. Aarau exported $791,355 worth in 1898 and $806,296 worth in 1897, showing a decrease of $14,941, principally silk.

Basel exported $2,932,188 in 1898 and $2,965,102 in 1897, showing a decrease of $32,914, principally dyestuffs and chemicals.

Berne exported $749,410 worth in 1898 and $768,570 worth in 1897, showing a decrease of $19,160, principally cheese, underwear, and clocks.

Geneva exported $327,150 worth in 1898 and $345,190 worth in 1897, showing a decrease of $18,037, principally music boxes and milk products. These results show a total increase in the exports of $746,229, principally embroideries, silk, and cotton and straw goods, and a total decrease of $85,052, principally silk, dyestuffs, chemicals, cheese, underwear, clocks, music boxes, and milk products. The total exports from Switzerland for 1897 were $13,188,471 and for 1898 $13,859,373, showing a total increase of $670,902.

ST. GALL, January 15, 1899.

JAMES T. DU BOIS,
Consul-General.

AARAU.

I have the honor to comply herewith with paragraph 3 of section 592 of the Consular Regulations and the instructions of the Department contained in the circular of August 5, 1898. The report is not confined to my consular district, however, as there are no special statistics obtainable, and it therefore includes mostly the entire Confederation.

The report of the Swiss Federal customs department, which has recently been published, considers that the commerce of the country during the year 1897 has been fairly prosperous.

The tables herewith inclosed, marked "A" and "B," will show the total imports and exports from and to all countries during the years 1897, 1896, and 1895, and also the imports, itemized, of goods from the United States during the years 1896-97 and the increase or decrease of each item.

It is gratifying to note that the percentage of increase of the imports from the United States ($10,337,554, as against $7,851,644 for 1896) far surpasses that of any other country. This increase is largely due to the import of wheat, which increased from $365,119 in 1896 to $1,931,379 in 1897. This is accounted for by the board of trade of Basel, which, in its annual report, states:

The crop of cereals in 1897 is classed as inferior both in quantity and quality. In Europe, southern Asia, and Australia, the surface planted was notably less than usual, although no more could have been planted, on account of the unfavorable atmospheric conditions and the want of seed. In eastern Europe, the plow could not penetrate the dried earth. In the middle, south, and west of Europe, an excess of humidity in various places prevented the planting, and the seed sown in many places rotted in the soil. In India the seed did not thrive, on account of dryness and the pest of the preceding year. In all these places the yield was therefore insufficient.

In the Western Hemisphere, the exact contrary was the case, notably in Canada, the United States of America, and the Argentine Republic, where, through propitious weather, etc., the yield was prodigious. These abnormal circumstances have, as will be seen by the following table, brought about a notable inversion in the importation of wheat into Switzerland. The bad crops of Europe have permitted America, which was obliged to supply the deficit, to increase its export of wheat from 102,000 to 449,000 quintals, which furnishes to that country a colossal revenue after the period of uncertainty caused by the agitation of the Presidential election. After an interruption of three years, Canada reappears for the first time as a supplier of cereals with an importation of 44,000 quintals. Austria-Hungary's crop failed, and it was even compelled to import a large part for domestic consumption, the 183,000 quintals of wheat which appear as imported from Austria to Switzerland being from the crop of 1896.

I have interviewed a number of bakers in this district upon the subject of American corn. They are generally of the opinion that if it was ground finer it might be used advantageously in making bread, but in the condition in which they receive it, the grain is too coarse and gritty and is sold only to the Italian residents of Switzerland, who make a dish from it known as "polenta." They reluctantly admit using American wheat, mixed with Russian and Hungarian wheat, as they say the popular impression is that it does not make good bread.

Of the exports to all countries, an increase is noted of $1,015,351, in which Germany ($676,898) and France ($543,201) were the principal participants.

The special commerce between the United States and Switzerland, exclusive of coinage, during the past five years, commencing with 1893, in round numbers is as follows:

It will be seen that while the exports to the United States only increased a very small amount, the imports increased about $3,000,000, and it is largely the increased import of wheat, as already stated, that accounts for this.

The principal articles imported from the United States during the year 1897 were as follows:

The principal articles exported to the United States from Switzerland during the year 1897 were as follows:

The decrease of imports from the United States into Switzerland in 1897, as compared with 1896, was in the following articles:

Tobacco, raw.

Oil of turpentine....

The exports to the United States from Switzerland, which have increased in 1897 over 1896, were:

The exports to the United States from Switzerland have decreased in 1897, as against 1896, in the following articles:

When the Dingley tariff went into effect, there was a great deal of complaint among silk manufacturers here as they said that the duty on silks would destroy their commerce with the United States. From the fact that they exported to the United States during the year 1897 over $600,000 more than they exported in 1896, it would seem that the tariff had not been made high enough for the purposes of protection. In 1895, there were but 21 bicycles imported into Switzerland from the United States, valued at $897. In 1896, 140 were imported, valued at $6,282. From the table marked "C," which is herewith inclosed, it will be seen that 11,067 were imported from all countries during the year ending December 31, 1897, amounting to $530,701, of which the United States imported 1,144, valued at $51,753. The increase over last year has doubled many times, which was only to be expected, and this almost without an effort. There are but two or three firms that deal in American bicycles in Switzerland, and none that I know of exclusively. They will invariably advise the purchase of a German or French wheel in preference to the American, and the uninitiated are usually taken in by them. With proper agents in the country, I am sure that it would not take long before we stood at the head of the list of importers of bicycles. We have already passed Great Britain, and I think that next year's figures will show us in the lead or even with France. The craze here has but started. When I came to Switzerland, a year ago, a bicyclist on the road was regarded as almost a curiosity. Women never rode. Now, on a pleasant afternoon, large numbers of both men and women may be seen spinning along the beautiful roads which run in every direction through the country. What is needed are some live American agents here, who speak French and German, and a permanent establishment where our wheels could be exhibited. The cheaper grades would undoubtedly have a large sale, and if the means suggested are adopted, I am convinced, as already stated, that we would soon stand at the head of the list of importers here, not even excepting Germany. The lightness and durability of our wheels, their beauty of finish, and their easy running have always attracted much attention here, and I am constantly asked by people where they can be purchased. It is, of course, gratifying to note the large increase in the sales during the past year, but it should have been and would have been much larger, had proper agents canvassed the country. An establishment, also, where bicycles could be bought on the installment plan would, I am sure, meet with considerable success.

The table marked "D," which is herewith inclosed, will show the special commerce of Switzerland during the six months ended June 30, 1898, with all countries, and the share the United States had therein. It will be seen that the imports from the United States into Switzerland have for the first time exceeded the exports. This is largely due, as in the year 1897, to the increase in the import of cereals. The import of wheat for the six months stated was, in round numbers, $2,000,000; oats, $600,000; and corn, $130,000. Increases in other articles, however, are noted. The import of watches