New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-08-20
INDUSTRIAL GERMANY.
BY ROBERT p. PORTER. MEMBER OF THE LATE
TARIFF COMMISSION.
WAGES AND COMMERCE OF THE WOOL
COUNTRY.
IYRoM A SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNEl

cline in the Exports Of woolen manufactures from
latter country continues and the German exports the
of voollen manufactures continue to increase as
they have since the Government returned to Pro-
tective Tariff there will not be such great differ
ence in the value of the exports from the two
countries. In 1872 the total value of the exports
of woollen and worsted goods. including worsted
yarn, from England was in round fgures$l 90, OOO-
600; in 1881 it had declined to $116,000,000, q
decrease of $76, OOO, 900. In Germany the exports
of yarns have been steadily increasing, especially
under protection, lcapng the first year OF the tar
from $14, 900 in 1879 to $23, 100000 in 1880
In woollen and worsted yarns the exports from
England since 1872 have declined almost one-haf-
the decline being steadily every year from $50 $780,
600 in 1872 to $16.12S,4S0 In 1881. Thus Pro-
tective Germany is steadily stealing march on
Free-Trade England in the expectation OF wooilen
and worsted yarns. The same holds true IN the ex-
ports of other wooen and worsted goods. In 1917
England exported in value over S16O.OOO.O0O; In
1881 it had decreased to $90,000O00. In
quantity Germany decreased in exports under Free
Trade, from about 81 100000 pounds in 1872 to
27,126 900 pounds IN 1870, and then suddenly in
creased in 1880 to So 7730O0 pounds, and in 1881
to 4O524, 600 pounds while the value of the ex-
ports of woollen manufactures has increased from
about S25, 900, 900 in 1879 TO $42OOO,OOO In 1851
and S47. 100000 in 1881. The total value OF the
annual exports of woOlen and worsted goods, IN
GLIDING yarns, from Germany, is therefore about
$40 OOO. 900 or SO 100000 less than the decrease
in the same class of exports from Great Britain IN
the decade ending 1881
The above figures are from the official documents
of the two countries and are given, not Tor the pur
pose of showing that Protection has been the only
cause of the increase in German exports and that
Free Trade has been the only cause OF the decrease
IN the English exports but TO show the utter TAI
lacy of theorists claiming that Protection countries
cannot become exporting countries Protectoh III
This case has not only enormously increased the
home product and decreased the imports OF the
manufactured yarn and cloth from $7O,OOOOOO
in 1874 to $44,0O0000 in 1881, but 1t has IN
creased the annual exports from $4O.OOO,OOO to
$40 600, 600 Germany under Protection has como
nearer by 500 600 900 TO supplying her own wants.
and vet can manufacture chesply enough to increase
her foreign market $50 600. 600 On other hand,
England has lost $40 900 900 OF her foreign trade;
and increased her importation OF woollen manulac-
lures about $40 600. 900. The value. however. OF
the importation of raw wool into England, unlike
that of raw silk. has increased, and the quantity
very largely increased, facts indicating that
larger proportion of wool is used in the material
now manufactured that all.wool goods have de-
clined in price Of late years and that mixed dress
goods have been superseded by all-wool goods.
The woollen and worsted industry in Germany
EMPLOYS about 200. 900 persons while that of Eng
land employs over 800, 900 and that of the United
States about 10000 In Germany the industry is
not concentrated AS in England. within radins of
22l2 miles round one centre. but is scattered
the Empire, with Aix-la-Chapelle for a centre IN
the northwest and At the eastern extremity Of the
Empire the woollen factories Of Lower Silesia. with
the thriving town of Breslau as centre; In tho
centre of Prussia Brandenburg and .Magdebnrg,
and almost directly southwest, including on the
way Sonnenberg the manufacturing districts Of Wiir
temberg the province of Alsace, the extreme south
west corner of Germany, are all important woollen
districts. The Kingdom of SaXony in the southeast
is also noted for certain lines Of wOollen goods.
To understand fully tho condition Of the oper
aives IN the wooen branch of the textile trade ii will
be necessary to visit each othe Districts so that the
present letter will deal specially with the woollen
industry Of the Rhenish and Wostphalian provinces
in northwestern Germany. OF this district Aix-la-
Chapelle Lcnnep. Crefeld, Bsrmen, Elberfod, DIS
sedorf. and several other towns of lesser nnpor
lance have been united, AMI a fair idea Of the pres
ent condition of the industry obtained
In Germany the United States has two Consuls-
Gensral--one in Frankfort and one in Berlin. Less
than eight per cent. of our imports come from Ger
many; over ten per cent. from France with one
Consul General; and hfty-four per cent. from Eng
land with Consul General One disadvantage
of two Consus-G General is that the classification of
articles exported from the two Consulates-Gsneral
differ By the one (for very good reasons, porhaps)
woollen goods are classified with linen and cotton
goods; and by the other under the proper heads of
IL. H. La, afaIU and war
am not. therefore, able to speak with exactness OF
the exports of manufactures Of wool from Germany
to the United States, but in round figures it IL
S., OOO, 900. the bnik of the exports coming from
Alx-la-Cbapele, Barmen, ChemnItz, Berlin. DIS
sedorf, Leipsic and Sonnenberg.
United States Consul Du Bots in his admirable
little work. " In and about AiX-la-CEapelle," says
There are thirteen things which have made great
name for Aix-la Chapec ian energetic, intelligent
belhcose Carovingian chieftain, and dozen seeth-
ing sulphur sources" Mr.. Du Bots is also the au
thor OF a very interesting work Charlemagne
himself which must have pleased the Germans as
well as told them something new about their old
warrior for / see it has been translated into the
tongue of the Fatherand. "Charlemagne" says Mr.
Du Bots, Loved Ak; he lived here and
here in the meridian of his power he established his
mighty empire. and it was from this point that he
was gathered to the bosom of his fathers. Hun
dred, of worshippers every day shuttle over gray
marble slab in the cathedral which bears the sim
pie inscription, "CAEoLo MAGNo." The curious
reader will find much of historic interest in Aix-la-
Chapelle and those afflicted will find much comfort
in the hot springs but Mr. Du Bots has told this so
well III his little work that nothing remains for me
but to describe the industries of the town and move
on. But even in doing this | must seek the aid of
the Consul, this time not as author. but a Gov
eminent officer. In a recent report to the State
Department Consul Du Bots says:
Ai1-la- Chapcle contains woollen establishments
than any ether German city. and there fac.
within this consular district than In other
Hular district IN Europe In former the markets
OF Newly ork Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore San