The total foreign trade of the French West Indies may be estimated as follows: The trade between France, Great Britain, and the United States and the French West Indies, according to the latest official follows: returns, is as Sugar constitutes nearly the only import into the United States from the French West Indies, amounting during the fiscal year 1881 to $2,430,000, leaving only $34,000 for all other articles. Of our exports to the French West Indies during the year 1881, breadstuffs and provisions amounted to $950,000, flour alone amounting to $540,000, leaving about $500,000 worth of all other articles, principally manufactures. A few illustrations will show that, as far as manufactures are concerned, our trade with the French West Indies affords a very severe contrast to the trade of France and Great Britain therewith. Exports of principal manufactures to the French West Indies. FOREIGN COMMERCE OF THE DANISH WEST INDIES. As the greater portion of the imports into the Danish West Indies are re-exported-St. Thomas being mainly an entrepôt for the distribution of merehandise among the other West India Islands-and as the colonial returns differ very widely from the returns of the principal countries having commercial relations therewith, it is difficult to arrive at a true estimate of Danish West India trade. The following statement showing the exports from the principal eountries-according to their official returns-to the Danish West Indies, may be considered a fair estimate thereof. Exports to the Danish West Indies. From France. From England From the United States. From West India Islands. Total $5, 432, 000 1,059, 000 734, 000 1,000,000 420,000 8,645,000 The population of the Danish West Indies is about 40,000, and assuming that the principal portion of the consumption of the islands is supplied from abroad, it may be fairly estimated that over $5,000,000 worth of the foregoing imports are re-exported. The exports of native produce may be set down as follows: |