New-York tribune., 1901-05-10
AMERIC4's COAL TRADE ABROAD.
HOW THE BRITISH EXPORT TAX IS EN-
PECTED TO AFFECT IT.

Marseilles. April 2s.-The Consul-GeneraI here Of
the United States Robert P. Skinner. in inter
view with a correspondent Of The Associated Press
on the prospects of the American coal trade with
France, especially in view Of the newly imposed
export duty of shilling a ton on British coal.
said:
As the chief obstacle 10 the Importation Of Amer
lean coal into Europe has been the heavy freight
compared with Cardiff freights any artificial in
crease In the price of British coal such as would
one shilling a ton must of necessity facilitate
american composition 70 just that extent Ihe
70 be more than a favorable element at this time
The imports Of American coal at Marsetlles dur
ing the year 1870 amounted to uS4Sl tons. OF which
Of the year During last year contracts were
made for delivery through 1901 based upon the high
irregular intervals and in the mean time the
American coal contracted Tor in 800 is being de-
livered at Marseilles at prices materially higher
down or for which American coal could be fur
nshed II contracted for today. The conditions are
structive; economicaIly considered.
have heard OF no important new contracts made
with American firms this year, but last years
experiments have SO encouraged our exporters and
so awakened their interest in the possibilities Of
this market as TO promise I may say assure for
the future regular deliveries OF American coal in
these waters by American steamers The French
railroads and the government are favorable 10
which VIII regu-e time, with great lntereSt As l
stated in my asr report, the field is essentially one
men who master all the difficulties OF mining.
manipulation, forwarding by land and sea. and
never fatered In my belief that our people would
S.sntuay & secure psTmanen pLaGe IN ths bI3 mar
Of the application OF an export duty In Great
The Important facts about the coal trade least
understood in the United States are; The best
Gibraltar and Hong-Ko are the navigation com
ers. which are Obliged 20 make schedule time
These companies cannot go into a port Of call and
unkrov, sfaTiog Sov-ar a. IorsI nrica Thev
must know with absolute certainty that stock will
"nce a year IN ondo, Cor their entire s,Inpiv and
sub-ContraCtOr gains loses by il. Thus IL was
that last year sub-contractors in the Mediterranean
below cost and they were very glad 10 avail them
visions permitted them to do so. Of substituting
the cheaper American product Cardiff coal at that
time was hard 10 get at anv price and nearly al
Of the American coal disposed OF was sold through
IaLeTt9. % TSuaIs % rGIn hjii ",iS r ~LS p, jr
British coal in foreign ports These firms had no
subsded N and CardIff coal became easy to ind
Thus We perceived that 20 set a place in the navi-
cess viii depend upon the adoption of this method
II must Be remembered that up to this time
American coal has all been delivered by foreign
the cost of transportation IS always relatively
high Cne-third OF the ships clearing from Mar
seilles for American ports last year went in bal
last That is one great reason why the American
merchant marine IS entitled 10 special CouSiderd-
ton Il because of this fact that the sastbOund
freight rate is relatively higher than the rate be-
tween British ard Mediterranean ports, as the
British ships material for England
and return with coal and manufactured products
We have had American ships in this port for
many years. although this market consumes mill
ions and millions OF dollars worth OF American
merchandise Our commerce is crying out for the
reconstruction OF the merchant marine. In the
interior Of the United States the opinion prevails
that the building up of shipping Is a local
matter, but it really affects every branch OF in
duStry and commerce.
The importation OF American coal to Europe has
practically sprung up during the last year, and
nearly all OF It has been discharged at Marseilles
for the South OF France market. The naviga tiOn
and gas companies and other Industrial concerns
have been the leading buyers