New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-11-18
4FRIC4S GREAT TRADE.
america and Germany Strong Com
petitOrs 1Cith Britain.

London Nov. 1.-THE Board OF Trade to-day is
sued an interesting Blue Book. containing the re-
port OF Henry Birchenough. writer statistical
and political subjects. who was sent to South
Africa as special commissioner 10 inquire into
the present condition and prospects Of British trade
in that country In his report Commissioner Birch
enough lays stress the ma gnitude Of the South
African market. which. he says. mas increased 80
per cent in the last ten years. the greatest in
crease. however. having been shown in the last
two years. The value OF this trade now exceeds
the sum Of s2S5 900. and the commissioner says
that the rapidlty with which South Africa has
come TO the front as a great market for the ex-
ploitation Of British manufactures is startling
Commissioner Peterborough points out that a
decade ago British exports 10 South Africa were
under $4,000 90. while in The last year they ex-
ceeded $4,000 600 In 1893 South Africa stood sixth
IN the list OF Great Britain's customers but last
year it was beaten by India. The Commissioner
predicts that South Africa will this year be the
largest buver in the world Of the produce and
manufactures Of the Mother Country. These facts,
the Commissioner says. Will make South Africa one
OF the greatest factors in commercial and indus
trial expansion. The present depression in mining
and in the general trade he considers TO be only
temporary.
While there is 4 strong sentiment in favor OF
British goods. British manufacturers. especially
those in the engineering trade, show decided lack
a. ytEor and enterprise Their most serious com
retitors are the manufacturers OF the United states
az germany American rivalry is in concentrated
and well defined branches 90 trade but in the nat
1lral products. such food sturs timber ana
paranine. which form a large proportion Of Amer
lean imports 10 South Africa the United States
completes with Australia and Canada, but not with
Great Britain
Nj Birchenough points out that competition from
the I-N.ed States is materially aided by the low
freight rates at which competing British vessels
carry American cargoes. German competition is
not as formidable except in the case Of electrical
machinery.
cessful foreign competition. naming among them
the superiority OF Of the natural resources OF
foreign countries the greater exercise Of ingenuity
and irventiveness a closer study Of the require
rnents OF those with whom they deal greater alert
ness and less conservatism. the superiority or
some Of their business methods. their closer adher-
ance 10 contract dates Of delivery, the adoption OF
Standardization. and the better finish and makeup
OF their goods as well the fact that their prod
ucts are dumped from protected home markets
Other considerations pointed out BY the commits
sioner are the greater hberality IN terms OF SAFE
and the presence at the mines of American en-
gineers who are favorably disposed 10 American
machinery. -.
The commissions supplements his report by sew
eral recommendations. among which are that BrItt-
ish manufactures learn the weak points OF their
rganizarion. study the methods or their rlFais'
scud direct representatives TO the UaolnS zohe;
establish their system OF credit on a more iluet
scale. insure more prompt delivery aoop1
rt-ues OF machinery. secure the British fnancial
control Of as many undertakings as posslote' lIe
uniformity Of British foreign freights ana through
rates and bills OF lading 10 DESTINATION