The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-06-10
BUSINESS IN SOUTH AFRICA.
Great Demand for Manufactures of
All Kinds Predicted

treat Demand for MRnufaCtuTes of
All Kinds Predicted
J c. Stowe, The United States Consul
General at Cape Town, has written to the
State Department concerning the indus
trial situation in South Africa. He deals
especially with the opportunities for
american manufacturers to extend their
trade in that country, saying:
I would cali attention to the demand
here for Ieather-soIe. harness, and boot
and shoe Last November the impoTta-
ton Of leather, particularly sole, was as
Stunning some proportions. but exports
from the United States have been stopped,
the reason, ! presume, being an advance
in prices at home Such action Injuries
our manufacturers IN the eyes Of foreign
trade. They are always ready to export
when the home demand is small, nut as
soon as prices are EXCHANGED the foreign
market is forgotten until it is again need
ed to dispose of surplus stock
If any manufacturers of leather are
ready to export. this consulate can put
them in the way of business. One firm
here buys $4,000 worth per month The
Australian leather is in the market, but
that of the United States has proved itself
good in all the word conveys, and not one
instance Of fault has been found.
THE administration of Rhodesia an
nounces that the agreement with Cape
Colony in regard to the collection of Gus
tom duties on imported goods is termin-
ateG- The duty on goods imported through
the British Colonies. which has hereto
fore been collected at the seaports, viii
now be collected in Rhodesia. thus break
ing the customs union that has existed
between the British Colonies, the Orange
Free State, and Rhodesia-
I notice that some steps are being
taken in the United States toward the
adoption of through rates to South Africa,
following the example set by Germany
| Every step that can be taken to foster
trade with this country should be taken
The shipping combination has now de-
cided to send one ship from New York
to each port in South Africa. Instead of
loading a ship for ali South African
ports as now. it is to be loaded for one
port only. This delays shipments from
New York, as much time must eIapse be
fore sufficient goods can accumulate to
load a ship for one place. I understand
that several ships are now on the stocks
in England for the United States and
South African trade.
This is not recognized by all. and
may be considered too optimistic. but
pessimists do not recognize that losses by
war must be replaced. and these losses
cover almost everything that enters into
| life-the implements with which TO till the
soil; the habiiiments Of MANKIND; the
household necessities, and even luxuries;
the beasts of food and burden; the stocks
Of goods Of the merchant. now depleted
| or destroyed; vehicles for at least farm
ana freight use; machinery Of all kinds
for the farm and the mine; apparatus for
lighting cities and houses: equipment Of
railways and coId-storage plants; teIe-
phones. teIegraphs, bridges; structural
iron Of all kinds. including pipes and tubes.
water installations for cities; builders
hardware, etc
The land Of South Africa is adapted 10
| the production Of sugar and fruit. of cot
ton, coffee, and tobacco and capital Will
enter to develop these industries Large
additions to the machinery. ana recent or
ders from America. amounting to 5000,
600. emphasize the efficiency Of our min
ing machinery. English colonists. loyal
though they may be, must buy where they
can get the best goods for the least mon
~ and at the earliest delivery
AS to the gold mines. by which South
Africa has largely been supported. they
viii multiply in number. | quote from
| the British and South African Export
Gazette
e According to Mr. Robinson. a salts
factory settlement Transmitted into the
tangible effects Of trade will give results
| as follows: The 200 mines which viii come
into operation when the burdens that
have oppressed them in the past are re
moved, VIII yield. at the rate Of 1000
ounces Of gold per mine per month .
monthly output Of 10000 ounces OF raw
gold. equal TO S115. Ig4 900 per year. out of
this S1I5.l94U0. there would be at least
SI45 g45 go circulated IN the country in the
way OF wages, paid away for material.
and The other requirements IN connection
with the mining industry. The benefit OF
this 10 the trade of the Empire at large
would be iuCaIculable- II would create a
trade equal to 1886, so. go a year, under the
beneficent influence Of which industries
| would flourish. the cultivation and exploit
tation Of the country would proceed, and
/ further mining enterprises would be de
vel0ped- The attraction of fresh capital
would repeat these operations in an ever
widening circle. Thus far Mr.. Robinson.
and though his words may appear poeti-
cal we do not think that he has strayed
beyond the bounds Of prosaic fact.
Although the war dTags its slow length
along. business has been fairly good in
the British colonies and the4mpOrtS from
the United States have not fallen of in
value Several lines of goods not needed
in war times have decreased. but the pro-
ducts that serve to equip large armies
have sweiicd the volume Of our exports.
and believe the year ending june. 1901
V i'll show considerable increase il our
trade over that Of 1880.
The plague Is adding TO the difficulties
Of the situation. and while the daily aver
age Of cases is about ten, Yet if 1t IS not
eradlcated during the warm weather now
prevailing, the rainy season, which comes
in another month may be expected 10 IN
crease the number Of cases. The exodus
from the city IS considerable. and out
W4rd-bUund ships are crowded