The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-07-16
GERMAN INDUSTRY SLUGGISH.
Special Report by the United
states Consul at Bremen.

states Consul at Bremen
The Industrial situation in Germany is
made the subject OF a special report for
warded to the State Department by Henry
/ W. DtederiCh- the United States Consul
at Bremen MI Diederich says:
The spring failed to infuse new life in
/ 10 German industry, which has been very
sluggish during the last six months. Now
that the military operations in the far
East have ceased and the outlook for
peace everywhere has become brighter il
IS hoped that business viii soon improve.
Mr. Balm, the general manager Of the
Hamburg American line. who has lust re-
turned from a trip around the world. is
deavoriug to arouse hope for the in
crease of German trade by calling atten-
ton to the new markets to be opened in
China, especially in the vast and import
ant valley of the Yangtze Kiang. How
ever the most conservative do not place
much confidence in these representations.
II is pretty generally Acknowledged that
the present Industrial crisis was caused
mainly by overproductlon in Germany and
in other manufacturing countries Indus
trial pursuits. as is well known. are de-
pedendent one upon the other, and if there
Is a check in one branch. it is felt else
where Thus when the textile mills for
spinning cotton and wooden yarns are run
on short time, but little machinery for
such mills viii be in demand; when no
machinery * buiIt the iron works shut
down, and when no iron is ordered the
coal mines are idle. As soon as one part
OF the industrial body becomes diseased,
the entire system must suffer.
Much is hoped from the commercial
treaties now under discussion. I find that
generally speaking. those interested in
trade and manufacturing in Germany are
in favor Of longtime commercial treaties.
arguing that these would be the best
means Of removing from the markets Of
the world the risks brought on By insta-
bility and constant changes. IN this con-
nectIon, it is generally stated that the in
crease Of German commerce By. about 81
@a.0o9.oo0 during the past ten years was
brought about chiefly through the long
time commercial treaties with other ma
tons
The coal industry in Germany hoped
carly in the season to derive great advan-
tages from the export duty which the
English Government put on its coal. It
was expected that this measure would
bring on many strikes, thus vastly re5iuc-
ing the output Of English coal and in
creasing the demand for the German aTti-
Gle But these expectations failed 10 be
realized. There Is but little demand for
coal at present. and the stocks in the coal
yards are increasing 70 an alarming de-
gree. Thr syndicate has succeeded in keep
ing up prices fairly well but 1t is believed
this carrot last much longer. In the iron
industry, the difficulties in the main have
grown, rather than decreased. II is true
some large orders have been placed. and
much activity has been shown IN certain
quarters in order to deliver on time, but
such orders were few and they had been
kept back 10 the last moment. because
everybody knew that they could be filed
at once, and by waiting 10 the last mo-
ment there was always a chance Of cut
ting prices. The same condition prevails
with the manufacturers of machinery,
many OF whom have been obliged to dis
charge their ueE. while others have had
to reduce the time OF running their works.
Unusually gloomy has been the con-
d!tion OF affairs in the textile branch OF
German industry for the past twelve
month In q convention Of iron men re-
Gently held. it was asceFsained that In
sixty-five mills in southern Germany
with 81, 1+2 looms. not less than 6.IS3 looms
were IDLE II was at once resolved to re-
Guce the output and 10 induce other dis
tricts devoted TO spinning and weaving
to do the same thing This has been
done but in spite OF all efforts the gen
eTaI situation has not improved The
prices for manufactured goods are drop
ping and orders are very slow in COM
ing because everyone. feels that he may
look Tor stiH lower prices This situation
prevails In all the branches OF the textile
industry, including the knitting mills IN
some manufacturing towns Of Saxony.
which had been kept very busy for the
past zen years. oue-fourth OF the looms
and other machinery are aOw idle In
some OF the factories for lace curtains
the men work on half time only and
must be content with wages OF $3.50 to
SIS per week Even the lace trim
ming district in the ETzgebirgs Is suffer
ing more than it has for years
The great German Industry in charn!-
caiS- which Tor years was exceedingly
prosperous IS now beginning TO complain
of lack Of orders and poor prices The
same IS true Of the large electrical en-
terDT2ses, which considered themselves be
Funu the reach OF hard times. With the
advent Of spring. IL had been expected
Jh2t- as IS usual at this time Of the year
q great impetus would be given TO build
lugSi but these hopes have also beer
doomed to pp1intment. and thousands
or foreign mechanics and abOrerS. who
Hook TO this country at this sea
son, have been compelled TO return to
their homes The factories of cement
w. III spite iE LltriE abundant C4DEtI1
have encountered many difficulties and
the failure Of the ReiChstag to pass the
canal bills mas not Frightened their pros
poets The manufacturers Of glassware
and furniture, n various districts, ind il
extremely difficult to employ help. even
with wages and time much reduced. In
consequence Of this condition in almost
every branch of German industry many
lahOriuE men. especially those with fami-
lies, baTe=y succeed in keeping body and
soul together: while the monthly reports
as to the number Of men who are idle
and seeking employment are alarming. In
addition to all this Germany must be
prepared to harvest the poorest crops il
has had in many year. Altogether. the
business situation in Germany is begin
ming 10 be very much as it was with US
from 1893 to 1897 Il is TO be hoped that
these conditions have already reached
their climax. Should they continue
much longer. however. II Is to be feared
that the falling prices. reduced wages
and accommodations of stock viii seriously
affect our trade with this country"
CUSTOMS RECEIPTS IN CUBA.
An Increase of Over 100000