New-York tribune., 1902-01-20
BRITISH TRADE LOSSES.
IMPORTS OF STEEL AND IRON IN
CREASE; EXPORTS DECREASE.
COORf MOURNING NEARLY ENDED-THE
Copyright; 1902: BY The Tribune Associaton1
lBY CABIE To THE Tp1RrrSr

OhNA<A-N @hE1hORlAI-SOClAL NEWS.
Copyright; 1902: BY The Tribune AssociationJ
lBY CABLE TO TRIBUNE.l
London, Jan. 20, a. m-One of the features
Oh England's foreign trade that for some time
past mas been causing increasing concern to the
commercial classes here is the great increase of
imports of iron and steel relatively to exports
III 'he last three years exports of manufactured
iioh nave fallen by nearly f3000000 while i'm
ports nave mounted from f5, ,OO0O in 1899 to
tn3oO'OOO in 1901. This almost 90 per cent in
crease brings the imports up to nearly one
thlrd or the value of exports and induces a
leaulng trade journal to anticipate that in
Iew years Great Britain will be buying more
iron and steel than she sells
President Schwab, who has arrived at Vienna
from Monte Carlo, has been interviewed by the
Neue freie Presse." He expects the decline in
the British steel trade to be continuous but is
OF the opinion that the European Continental
s'eel INDUSTRY Will not be threatened by Ameri-
can competition for many years to come Mr.
SchWab considers that the steel age is coming
when steel will be the chief material used in the
building of houses, cars, carriages, household
furniture and so forth, besides for pipes and
many other things where iron is now used.
Mr.. carnegie has taken steps for the forma-
ton OF a private library at Skibo Castle. The
work of selection has been intrusted to Lord
Acton, professor of history at Oxford. The
library will probably number eight thousand
Volumes the total initial outlay being 10000.
In the course of few days the years mourn
ing of the royal family for the late Queen will
be over and the Court will resume its brighter
aspect West End is full of preparations for the
new order of things, and it is clear from many
indications that their majesties desire the Lon
don season to be as cheerful as the conditions
will permit. Many families are in mourning
because of losses in South Africa, and for vari-
Gus reasons 1T is presumed that Queen Alex
andra, Princess Christian and Princess Henry
Of Battenberg will continue their prediction
for more neutral tones in ordinary wear; but
the aspect of society will be gayer than for
many year. and intimations are already made
to show that the King intends to make frequent
appearances in public places of amusement dur
ing the coming months.
The Victoria Memorial Fund is still we'll below
the required 100000. The reason for this state
or affairs is supposed to be that people living
out OF London have a strong objection to sub
scribe for the erection OF the memorial in the
metropolis. In all probability the precedent
which set in the case OF the memorial to
the Prince Consort will be followed. and Parla-
ment will be asked TO vote the necessary funds.
The authorities Of the London fire brigade are
carrying out extensive experiments with petro-
leum fuel instead of coal Demonstrations
made UP to the present favorabIv regarded.
Miss Muriel White, daughter OF the American
Charge dAffaires, will be OF the brides
maids tomorrow at the marriage OF Lady Anna
bel Mines Crewe. Lord Crewe's eldest daugh-
ter with the Hon. Arthur O'NeH The wedding
promises to be a brilliant social affair.