The times., 1898-12-11
AMERICAN COMPETITION
Germans Preparing a Plan for
the Common Defense.
MANUFACTURERS ALARMED
The scheme Quietly Fostered-
Rapid Progress. Made-steeI and
Iron Industries Have Been Affect
ed - Bicycle Markets Lost - Some
Advice Given to the Enterpri.ing.

The State Department has received from
Consul ]. C. Monaghan. at Chemnitz, an
important report on German industries
and American competition. 1t follows:
"A large manufacturer in Rhenish West
phalia informs leading rolling mill jour-
nal of Germany that the 'longed-for meas
ures for common defense of the German
steel and iron industries against American
competition are still in state of prepar
alton and confidential consideration be-
tween big manufacturers in different de-
partments of production in the empire
In plain language. this means that Ger
man iron manufacturers are very much
alarmed at Americas capacity to compete
with them in the German market.
.'rhe plans are being made veryrquietly,
because many OF the empires biggest
manufacturers look upon an open move
ment as a menace to their stock, for in
such a measure the public would certain
ly see symptoms OF uncertainty, calcu-
lated to cut down dividends and weaken
trade Explanation of the slowness with
which many manufacturers have moved
in this matter is also found in the fact
that many concerns have been converted,
in recent years, into joint stock COM
panies; and although these have seen the
growing danger of American competition,
they know that any opposition. TO be ef-
fective. would cost money, and would
therefore have a very great influence on
their annual returns.
''The union to oppose Americans is max
ing great progress. 1t has been urged,
particularly, that certain steel and iron
industries have been affected and are in
danger of further losses from American
competition. Iron pipe makers have had
TO reduce price rates.
1.-THE German bicycle business. booming
before the American invasion. when forced
into competition with United States
| houses, has hardly been able to keep On
its feet. Quite large number OF frs
| class concerns have had 10 curtail pro-
| duction Many have lost markets al
home and abroad l may mention that
every effort IS being made TO get the
| Government 20 put a si2 t59 ma ks) duty
| on each American wheel imported into
| the Empire. Up 10 date. the de ay IS
due 10 intelligent opposition put 70 III
| by retailers and dealers. Our agricultu-
raj and tooi-making machines VIII also
have hard work TO ho,d this market fr
any long period of time The German
people, besides being expert originators.
| are most clever imitators- In fact, they
are said to excel all others in thsif ca
paeity 10 copy. Ny own experience and
Investigations prove this.
IF there rs one word more than an
other of Importance for our Manufacture
ers it is the word which urges them 10
meet German manufacturers in South
| America Russia. Australia. Africa. and
| the East. Millions Of dollars worth Ct
our tools will be taken just as soon as
| offered in these markets II we can send
steel to Germany. England, and Sc +
land. surely we should underseil all Eu-
rope in far-off countries. which need the
| tools and implements of mining and hus-
| bandry.
This city retails articles at prices 20
per cent higher than those in our c1un-
try. 1 saw shoes bought yesterday for
| 81 per pair which Americans can beat at
$50. Woodworking machines, If ever
| placed properly on this market, musT
make their way. The city is very much
| interested at this moment in an auto
matte loom on exhibition here. 1t is an
American invention The exhibition hall
has been packed every day since the
loom was set up. Anyone with a good
thing to sell should take out German
patent rights