The ambassador for the German Empire presents his compliments to the
honorable the Secretary of State of the United States and has the honor
to transmit herewith for the information of the Department a statement
of the trade and commerce of Samoa for the year 1894, which was drawn up
from the figures given in the annual report of the Imperial
consul-general at Apia with special reference to German commercial
interests in the Navigator Islands.
Baron von Thielmann avails himself, etc.
[Inclosure.—Translation.]
Samoan trade in 1894.
Trade in Samoa in 1894 shows a large increase in imports and exports,
especially in consequence of an unusually rich yield of copra. The
value of the imports rose from $330,193 to $451,389. The value of
the goods imported by the German firms was $223,586, or about 50.95
per cent, while the value of those imported by British merchants was
but 22.6 per cent, and that of those imported by citizens of the
United States but 15 per cent.
The export trade for 1894 was also practically entirely in German
hands. The value of the goods exported by German firms was $263,930,
or 98.66 per cent, and that of those exported by persons of other
nationalities was $3,580, or 1.34 per cent.
The amount paid by the Germans for the support of the Government of
the country and of the municipal government is on the same scale of
the German interests in Samoa, which largely exceed those of all
other nations as regards the value of imports and exports.
The amount of the import duties paid in 1894 was $23,069.99, of which
$14,913.20 was paid by Germans. The amount of the export duties paid
was $4,447.18, of which $4,384.60 was paid by Germans. Of the entire
amount of customs duties, Germans paid 60 per cent, British subjects
paid 10 per cent, and citizens of the United States paid 8.6 per
cent.
Of the direct taxes, excluding those paid by the natives, 50 per cent
were paid by the Germaus alone.
Of the entire cost of the Government of the country and of the
municipal government, Germans paid 65.2 per cent, British subjects
paid about 14 per cent, and citizens of the United States paid about
5 per cent.
