The herald., 1897-04-18
PERILS IN
PROSPECT
For British Iron and Steel
Industries
COMPETITION BY AMERICANS
CAUSES SOME AWFUL CUTTING
OF PRICES
English Opinion Regards a Greco
Turkish War as Inevitable and$
as Imminent
ssociated Press Special Wire.

Associated Press Special Wire.
LONDON, April 17.-(Copyright, 1879
A column article in the Times points to
the perils in prospect for the British iron
and steel Industries. The article, which
is based on the Duke of Devonshire's ad
dress at the annual meeting of steel
company at Barrow-in-Furness, dilates
on the fact that for the first time in the
history of her iron trade, Great Britain
has felt scarcity of ores and the demor-
alizing effect Of the imports of American
pig iron have increased.
The British output of pig iron in 1885
was only obtained by importing a mil
hon tons of hematite ore from Spain and
other countries.
Such sources are precarious," the
Times adds, "and in view of the threat
ened exhaustion of the ores in the north
Of Spain and the probable increase of the
cost of ores procurable elsewhere, 1t IS
not too much to say that almost every
iron-making firm in Great Britain en-
gagged in hematite production, which is
ly concerned and apprehensive that a
few years will see the end of the monop-
oily we have hitherto enjoyed in, cheap
iron output. While, however, it is prob
able that no second Bilboa Is available,
1t is believed that Spain has large unde-
veloped resources nores many of which
have been acquired by British firms"
AMERICAN COMPETITION
The duke of Devonshire referred to tAs
lean competition, and expressed hope
that the Americans might be satisfied to
conf1ne most of their fighting to their
| own country. This caused the Times 20
remark: -''The American iron trade does
not show any such intention. On the
contrary, they are planning greater ri
valry all along the line"
Continuing, the Times refers to the
gigantic sale of the American iron-mak-
ing plants now built and operated, and
instances the immense Carnegie fur
naces and the newest types of the Gar
ret wire mill used in America, and says
the work thus produced is almost incred-
ible, adding, as a significant feature of
the situation a statement that the recent
plants built in England have adopted
American methods.
"While the duke of Devonshire," the
Times continues, practically admitted
American superiority, he did not men,
tion the most wonderful thing, the i'm
mense distances the ores and finished
products have to be carried in America
English trade is still handicapped by
heavy railroad freights."
THE TURKISH CRISIS
Easter being the great festival Of the
Greek church, it was hoped that actual
hostilities, since the reported failure Of
the raid of the insurgents into Mace
donia. would be postponed until next
week, especially as the concert Of the
powers, having failed in everything else.
succeeded beyond all hope in holding
back Turkey from plunging into war.
while proving to Greece that Turkey is
still able to mobilize an enormous and
efficient army. Whether this is a good
omen for Europe and for civilization
it has certainly had the effect Of max
ing Greece hesitatS, but trade is at a
standstill in both countries. and the
people are already suffering. Greece is
port of her army, and Turkey is proba-
Dly SPCAQlH6 ILL &C tiIIlCS tHdL dulOuul.
1t is impossible for this state of things
to continue much longer. and the news
received today from Nozores of fighting
between the regular troops
of Greece and Turkey appears to indi-
cate that a crisis has finally been
reached.
Many of the cabinet ministers, both Of
Great Britain and the various powers
of continental Europe are spending the
Easter holidays away from the capitals
and there is much comment here at the
absence from London Of Parliamentary
secretary for the foreign office, Mr..
George N. Curzon, who Is said to be
suffering from insomnia, induced by
hard work. But all the important busi-
ness is being transacted through the
marquis of Salisbury and the perma-
nent officials Of the British foreign Of
fee.
The frontier dispatches during the
past week have reported mysterious
of both Turkish and Greek
troops, cavalry scouting, etc., and the
Greek fleet of the island of Skiathes has
been ordered to be in instant readiness
to start for Salonica, the base Of sup
plies for the Turkish army, Immediate
" after the declaration of war;
Since the arrival of the Greek COM
chief, the Crown Prince Con-
tantine, on the frontier, Greek emissa- |
lies have secured Macedonia in an en-
ieavor to foment a rising Of the inhab-
tants against Turkish rule, but It is |
eported these agents have been rather
and that the National |
eague has refused to move again with
'ut an absolute preIrise that it's forces
will be supported by those of the regular
Lrmy.
1t is understood that agents in Lon
lon of the National league have been
4ctive for long time past in exporting
rms, ammunition and canned goods |
Q Greece for the use Of the irregular