New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-05
FOREIGN COTTON GROWING.

Owing to the high prices which the chief
product of the Southern States of this country
have commanded for several months, European
buyers have been looking eagerly for chance
to get supplies elsewhere. The question is of
vital importance to England, because she
manufactures more cotton than any other coun-
try in the world OF the 103,O00000 spindleS
which are or might be running at the present
time about 100000 are credited to Great
Britain, 100000 to continental Europe and
only about 22,000,O00 to the United States In
other words though she is obliged TO import
her raw material, England manufactures more
than twice the quantity of goods produced in
the greatest cotton growing country. Out of
about 100000 bales raised in 1902, close to
100000 came from America India grew
over 100000 bales; China, Japan and Corea
together contributed 100000 10 the worlds
supply, and Egypt 100000, while Central
Asia reported less than 100000. A consider
able share of the Asatic product was kept at
home, so that little more than half Of the cotton
grown outside of the United States was avail
able for expectation These figures indicate
how peculiarly dependent European manufac
turers are upon the American article.
The hunt for other sources Of supply has
been pushed with special zeal by Englishmen,
and has been directed mainly to the posi-
bilities of cotton culture in Africa, although
little attention has also been given to the West
Indies Every encouragement is given to the
movement by the British Colonial Office, and
an organization known as the British Cotton
Growers Association" has been formed to
promote the industry in new fields. Several
pages of q recent issue of the DAILY Consular
Reports" published at Washington, are de-
voted to the results of the inquiries lately
made under these auspices, and of actual eX-
periments that have been in progress during
the past season. The returns which come from
Nigeria, the Gold Coast, Sierra Leone and
Gambia are certainly favorable. In some local.
ties the indigenous cotton is preferred by the
natives to American or Egyptian seed; but cot
ton of one sort or another is obtained, and
there is an increasing acreage at several
places.
To the success of any attempt to make Eng
land independent of the United States several
obstacles are already visible In Liverpool
most of the brokers are conservative, and do
not sympathize with new arrangements. 1t is
not yet clear that the quality of the African
product will be all that is desired. In some
regions where the soil and other conditions are
satisfactory, the cost OF transportation to the
seaboard is too great. Then there is the labor
question Many of the natives are unaccus-
toned to agriculture on a large scale, and can
be kept at work only by the influence of the
local chiefs. On the other hand, it is probable
that the cotton raised few years hence will
grade better than that thus far obtained. In
West Africa area nearly as large as that of
the cotton producing States of America gives
promise Of being adapted to the crop in ques-
ton. The distance from European markets,
and hence the cost Of carriage by water is no
greater than that Of Savannah, Mobile and
New-Orleans. Finally, John Bull is liable to
exhibit much energy and persistence when
fairly aroused Years must elapse, Of course,
before any large development can reasonably
be expected from the campaign recently
started and absolute emancipation from Amer
Tea is probably out of the question for a gen
Grafton or two. Nevertheless, the venture Is
far from hopelessl