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The chief imports of the Philippines are rice, flour, dress goods, wines, coal, and petroleum. Of the exports from Spain to the islands in 1896, the cotton fabrics alone were valued at $4,915,851, and of the British exports for the same year cotton manufactures and yarn had a value of $1,494,108. In the exports of the United States to these islands, however, the various manufactures of cotton figure only to the extent of $9,714 ! Manufactures of flax, hemp, wool, and silk appear in the Spanish exports to the value of $286,841, or 76.7 per cent more than the entire export trade of the United States to the islands in the year in question. The, exports of paper, leather, and wood from Spain in 1896 had an aggregate value of $585,120, or nearly four times that of the total exports from the United States. All these products, as well as others that might be mentioned, could just as well be supplied from this country. THE DISPOSITION OF THE PHILIPPINES The following forcible article by Mr Charles E. Howe is taken from The Financial Review of May 27 : What commercial benefits can accrue to any European nation in purchasing these islands which will not accrue to us? Since we are well able to retain them, would it not be a short-sighted policy to dispose of them? With Hawaii and the Philippines, we shall control the trade of the Pacific. With Japan as our ally and England as our friend, we have nothing to fear from other foreign nations. What claim can any power advance, or by what right can they demand that our government evacuate these islands? None ! Our government can no longer pursue a policy of isolation. The times demand that we take our rightful position among the nations of the world, and especially in the unfolding commercial possibilities of the East. There await untold advantages to the nation which encourages the awakening of the Orient from its long sleep and assists it in taking a prominent part in its trade relations with other nations. Are we to re- fuse to seize this golden opportunity and allow some European power to outwit us? We cannot afford to barter away our newly acquired territory for a few pieces of silver.