The evening times., 1900-09-17
DULLNEss IN TEXTILE CENTRES.
Europe Enters "a Period of Indus
trial Depression.

trial DepFessiDn.
Frank W. Mahin, United States Consul
at Reichenberg. has transmitted to the
State Department report on the depres-
sion in European textile industries. He
says:
las a whole. the manufacturing bust
ness of Europe seems to have entered on
a period of severe depression. The causes
are such, however, to permit the be-
lief that its duration will not be very
great.
Reports from Bradford and other tex
tile centres of England state that faeto-
ries have generally been forced to reduce
their product on account of scarcity Of or
ders. In one instance. thirteen cotton
spinning concerns with over million
spindies. recently resolved to suspend
operations for two weeks, to check the
oyerstocking of the markets with unsal-
able goods. Doubt is expressed whether
this temporary suspension Will be suf7-
cent to appreciably relieve the situation.
The disturbance in China is assigned as
partial cause Of the manufacturing Ce-
preston in the British Isles.
From many parts Of Germany come re-
ports OF stagnation in manufacturing in
| dustries more especially in textile
| branches. RheniRh Prussian factories and
; those IL some dis ricts OF SaXony seem to
| be most affected. Thousands of looms and
! spindles are idle. As indicating in SONS
| degree the extent to which the German
| textile industry has lost ground this year,
| it is published that Ia the first six months
! of 1860 the imports of wool into Germany
! declined 20 per cent in quantity and 10
per cent in value, as compared with the
corresponding period of 1899. The loss In
| business is slightly mitigated by the re-
OF
/ large orders for underclething for German
/ soldiers destined TO China
''The Chinese imbrogIio is charged WIFE
| but little share in the causes OF the Ger
| man industrial depression. German tex
| tile exports TO the Orient have been tod
small for their utter extinction TO account
! in any marked degree for the present con-
| traction of business. Inc cause is gen
/ orally assigned 10 the universally disc0uf
| aging state OF the textile markets, due
/ mainly to oVeTproduetiun during the pros
! porous season OF 1899. The future looks
sufficiently dubious 10 deter anyone from
| venturing at present into large contracts
| of any SORT.
In Polish Russia the production of tht
| textile factories has decreased 20 per cen
this year in comparison with 1893. Some
large firms have failed. with disastrous
consequences 10 creditors. No causes ar
/ stated In the current reports from ina
| country.
In Austria there IS just now much com
! plant in textile circles but the situation
! is better than in other parts OF Europe. l
| reports are uneXaggerated. Ia the dIrcc
| ticu Of the United States the linen trad'
OF Bohemia is unusually large. the value o
exports thus far this year showing an IN
crease Of 20 per cent in comparison Will
! the corresponding period OF 1893. As
| wh3Ie however. the textile business oi IN
! Fmpire is unsatisfactory at present, th'
causes named being the South African ant
Chinese wars and oveTpucGuctIou. Bat /
is admitted that the situation must IA
worse before il equals that Of some 9the
European countries
Last year was Z remarkably prosper
Gus season for the Austrian textile indus
tries. Previously. dull times had close
some factories leaving to the survivor
a larger volume of business than usual
| The prosperity OF 1899 caused new faCto
ries 10 be projected but so far they hav
not served by dividing orders in 'hl
year. to disastrously affect the older con
| Germs. Prices of all kinds of Austria'
textile products have been increased dur
| ing the past year: and though part o
this increase has gone TO pay the On
haucef cost of raw material. on the Who'll
the manufacturers have been muC
| strengthened by the higher prices OF thel
| products.
with the unsettled state OF the Gov
errfnt1t as an ever-preSent disIHTbin
| factor. it Is surprising that trade condi
| tions in Austria shOIld be even as goo
as those OF other European countries
! this time instead of being rather better
| ac fhaN- anO1TPOflY are"