New-York tribune., 1891-12-23
ARTTISH TROUBLES.

The monthly report OF British commerce IOr
November gives fresh evidence of the serious
depression of industries in that country. The
decline in exports is 11.9 per cent for the monh,
which Is larger than in any other month this
year except in May. At the same time the I'M
ports of food increased in comparison with the
same month last year more than $20,OO0,O0O
in value. the imports of raw cotton increased
SO, 800, 900, and of wool S3,100,O00, and
nevertheless the exports OF textile fabrics de-
creased 2,193,000. The imports Of metals In
creased about $1,500,000, but the exports oil
metal manufactures decreased more than $5,2OO,-
600. Again, the imports of manufactured art-
cles increased more than SO, 700,O 900, and yet
in addition TO the important decrease in manu-
factures above named, the exports of other man
ufactured articles diminished about $4,000, 200.
All these are indications OF serious decline In
the demand for products Of British industries, and
of increasing dependence upon the industries OF
foreign countries.
1t is explained that the large imports OF wool
are mainly due to the periodic sales, and there
fore do not indicate an increased consumption, ID
being admitted that the demand for British con-
sumption has not enlarged. Nor is there evil
dencs of increased consumption of cotton in man
ufacture, for "The London Economist says
"The consumption this year to the end OF No
yember has been rather less than last year, while
the stocks at that date amounted to 100000
bales, against TT, 900 bales at the end OF No
yember $780," There was large decrease in
the imports of iron ore, Z per cent in quantity
and 1873 per cent in value, which does suggest
a diminished demand for products of iroE. The
imports of fax and hemp also diminished, though
much more jute and silk were imported. The
increase in imports of manufactured products
extended TO almost every item specified except
products of iron and "other" silk goods, for in
silk stuffs and ribbons, in woOllen yarn and
stfs, in paper, leather manufactures, glass, cot
ton goods, and clocks and watches, some increase
appears The imports of raw sugar were smaller
in quantity, but the imports OF refined sugar were
much larger. The imports OF tea, coffee and
tobacco declined, but the imports OF liquors In
creased.
1t is not possible to review these figures with
out reaching the conclusion that Great Britain
is undergoing serious depression, first, from the
failure of foreign demand for English manu-
factured products, and second, from sharper COM
petition of foreign manufactures in the British
market. The evidence as to exports Is so stsong
that, while decrease is seen in twenty two classes
increase appears in only eight and in two OF the
latter, carpets and cotton piece goods, there was
a slight increase in quantity, but decrease in
the value of exports. In cotton yarns decrease
is seen of 9.5 per cent in quantity and 16.7 IN
value, in woollen yarns decrease OF S.3 per
cent in quantity and 1875 per cent in value, IN
woollen fabrics a decrease of SO per cent in
quantity and 1875 per cent in value, and in
worsted fabrics decrease of 1873 per cent in
quantity and Ga per cent in value. In linen
yarn the decrease in quantity was per cent, in
lutte goods per cent, and in the value OF all
textiles 5.2 per cent. Still more important
losses appear in the exports of metal manufact-
ures, for in iron and steel products the decrease
was 26.1 per cent in quantity and 2S.4 per cent
in value, in hardware and cutlery 2.3 per cent
in value, in machinery 80 per cent in value, and
in copper products 1911 per cent. In coal, beer,
pickles and vinegar, and earthenware, the losses
ranged from to 10 per cent in hats the loss
was IA per cent in bags and cement nearly
80 per cent, and in English wool no less than
G3.6 per cent in quantity and 50.7 per cent in
value.