New-York tribune., 1901-07-06
DECLINING BRITISH COMMERCE..

London newspapers particularly those devoted
to trade and finance. expend much space in dis
cUssing Great Britain's foreign commerce.
There is remarkable unanimity on two points:
first, that the May return is even more unsatis-
factory than preceding months. and. second
that in some way the United States is response
BILE for changed conditions Much absurd criti
cism is offered. and there is little rational ex
planation of this comparatively simple propo
sition. It is soemnly stated that before at.
tempting to define the exact position Of the
United States in this matter the British Iron
Trade Association has decided to make an Of
fetal investigation. In regard to this special in
dustry another journal encourages its readers
by the positive assertion that within a very
short time the deposits of and coke in the
United States will be exhausted. and Great
Britain will again secure supremacy in this
manufacture. One progressive writer declares
that conservatism of English mill owners is the
fundamental difficulty. since inventions and
improvements in method regarded with dis
trust and seldom adopted until Americans have
demonstrated their value.
1t is to say the least, extremely flattering to
Americans that the growing exports from the
United States are receiving such general recog-
milton abroad. and the calamity howlers in this
country should cease bewaing our misfortunes
from excessive tariffs long enough to peruse
few of the leading British publications. Even
the most bigoted un-American from Boston
or Nebraska could hardly fail TO he impressed
by the fact that scarcely an issue fails to fill
many columns with regret at the losses Eng
land is sustaining at the hands of competitors
here The suggestion that the Whitsuntide holi-
days occurred in May this year. while they fell
in June in 1900, does not account for the differ
ence although the exact value of this factor will
not be known until the current months state
ment is published.
British exports in May 1901, were valued at
f23 556, T12, against ga, 115.9 $50 last year. de-
crease of fl 15921S IL per cent. Despite
the new export tax OF a shilling a ton shipments
of coal increased 40 730 tons in quantity but
lower prices made the value 1890. sos less than
in the same month last year. Many predicted a
heavy falling off in this item. but contracts
were outstanding covering shipments up to July
l. and IL is doubtful whether any dmnution
will be seen before that time. Exports from
this country are steadily increasing, and instead
of transa tlantic liners having their own coal
shipped here, as was formerly done. it is the
exception when they do not replensh with the
American product. while in cases their
supplies at the other side now purchased
here This is one of the new features that
cause alarm although the May statement can
not be considered discouraging except so far as
the lower prices are concerned
decrease of SS0100 pounds in exports of
cotton yarn and E67 500 in value is noted, and
S666.40 yards In piece goods. but a gain of
EOS, ,54S in value. There was also general de-
crease in exports of woollen goods in both
quantity and value. In iron the loss was H. 006,-
200, in telegraph apparatus f150.4I5 and in ma
chnery f74463 while even In new ships there
was small decrease, although for the preceding
four months this item exhibited a gain OF e.
4 in INN
f42 426 759, against f43,S16.427 last year. loss
of 1449.e6s. or 33 per cent The loss OF $780,
$50 in sugar TO be expected, since enormous
imports rushed in during the preceding
month to avoid the increased duty. Receipts of
wheat and corn also decreased extensively in