The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-08-25

At this time particularly is the ques-
tion of Europes coal supply attracting
wide attention in this country, and our
exports are rapidly expanding in vol
ume. 1t may be interesting to cite
cause for this. During the last year
or two there has been slow but
steady increase in the price of coal all
over Europe. In consequence, Ameri-
can consuls in several large cities on
the continent have been pointing out
the opportunity afforded to producers
in the United States at the present
time. A number of causes have been
contributed to the existing state of
things, no doubt, says the Philadelphia
Stockholder, but the chief one is that
England, which mines considerable
more than half the coal faken out of
the ground in Europe, was quietly put
ting up prices.
The following figures indicate how
completely England commands the
market: In 1892 she mined, In round
numbers, 202, 900, 900, tons; Germany but
little over 100000 tons; France. about
80, 900 900 tons; Belgium, 22,OOO,OO0 tons,
Austria Hungary, II, 100000 tons; Rus
sia, nearly 10000. 900 tons; Australasia,
5000, 900 tons; Japan, 100000 tons, and
British India, 100000 tons. Belgium
exported almost a fourth of her out
put, Germany an eight, France less
than q twelfth, and Russia practically
none. England sold almost a quarter
of her output CAS-, 100000 tons) to for
eigners. Hence when for any reason
she raised prices she would produce
that result all over Europe, to say
nothing of Asia.
EXPORTS VERY SMALL.
incidentally 1t might be remarked
that while this country mines almost
as much coal as England she exports
less than a twelfth as much as that
country, and little of it goes across the
Atlantic. America has not hitherto
been a factor in the European situa-
tion, therefore.
The continued rise in prices has
caused uneasiness in England as well
as on the continent. But in the former
it is possible to discover great diff
ferences Of opinion. on the one side
1t is alleged that the exports are in
creasing, that foreign governments
are storing coal to use against England
in war, and that foreign manufacture
ers are accumulating stock in order
to fight England industrially. 1t has
been proposed, therefore, to impose an
export duty of from one to five shi!-
lings a ton, with a view to checking
the outflow.
on the other hand, the English and
Welsh mining companies, whose sales
would thus be restricted, offer Vigor
Gus protests against the tax. They
declare that it is nonsense to talk
about great acCumulations on the con-
tincnt for naval purposes, because soft
coal deteriorates when it is stored.
NOT FOR NAVAL PURPOSES.
1t is admitted that railways and
manufacturers are laying in reserves
but these are said to be small and
to be meant TO provide against such
emergencies as strikes. 1t Is further
asserted that this practice Is resorted
to by English corporations as well as
by foreigners. The mining companies
assert that if an export duty were laid
on coal England would lose the South.
ern European and South American
markets, probably forever.
A further disturbance to trade woult
result from the fact that many vessels
which bring merchandise of othel
kinds into English ports take out Goa
for the return voyage. A cargo each
way insures lower freights than woult
otherwise be possible. Precisely wha
has led England to put up prices 1t Il
hard to say. The South African anC
Chinese complications have impellet
her to adopt policy of preparation
for increased consumption by he
navy.
No doubt other causes have exerteC
an influence also. But from the fig
ures given in English papers it doe
not appear that there has been an,
Increase in the expectation. 1t is as
serted, for instance, that during tn
first half Of the present year %, 900 90
tons were sold. This is certainly les
than half as much as was exporte
in 1898. The foregoing facts tend t
strengthen predictions that on pros
poets for business from foreigner