New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-01
AMERICAN SHOES IN GERMAyr.

Current reports of the American shoe trade
IN Germany are of special interest, not only in
themselves, but also as n sequel to the sensa-
tional reports of year or two ago OF German
resentment at the American invasion. 1t will
be remembered that the opening of an Ameri-
can shoe store in Berlin was an International
episode of considerable magnitude. The Ger
man press teemed with indignant comments
there were movements for trade and popular
organization against the interlopers, and at
times there even seemed to be danger of pbySi-
cal violence. In time the sensation subsidized
but through It all the Americans kept on selling
shoes, as they have been doing ever since
That pioneer shoe store in Berlin was opened
on April s. 1901: on March 1, 1902. one was
opened in Frankfort, and on October 1, 1902
one in Hamburg. To-day another will be
opened in Berlin, making two in that city and
four in the empire.
The three stores now open have been doing
a large and increasing business From January
/ TO July IL. 1908, they sold 54,4O0 pairs OF
shoes, the sales for each month showing an in
crease of from 20 to 80 per cent over those for
the corresponding month of the preceding year.
Still, that is only a small part OF the total Ger
man shoe trade or even of the German trade
in imported shoes. In German statistics shoes
are reported not by number, but by weight, and
we are told that in the first six months of 1908
imports amounted to 36S tons, Of which 90 tons,
or a little more than II per cent, came from
America. But in the whole Of 1902 the I'M
ports were 600 tons and those from America 6S
tons, or a little less than 10 per cent; and in
1901 the imports were 74S tons. those from
America being 81 tons, or less than per cent;
while in 1900 imports were 1872 tons and the
American contribution was only 81 tons, or less
than per cent. So, then, the total imports of
shoes in Germany are steadily decreasing, but
imports from America are still more rapidly
increasing not only relatively. but actually.
The imports come chiefly from Austria Hun
gary. but those from America stand second in
amount.
That is in a measure a gratifying showing.
OF course, it is possible that in time Germany
viii manufacture all her own shoes. and I'M
ports will cease. The present movement seems
10 be in that direction. But as long as she is
importing. it is pleasant TO know that Ameri-
can shoes are so rapidly growing in favor. The
circumstances suggest, however. a certain back
wardness of Americans in entering in and oc-
cupying the land There surely should be more
than those four American shoe stores in an
empire of more than fifty millions. 1t is true
that some American shoes are sold in other
stores but they are thus sold only in answer
to urgent demand. and the general attitude of
the German storekeepers is to discourage rather
than encourag e the demand for them. With
these few stores in Berlin, Hamburg and
Frankfort doing so we'll there should certainly
be encouragement for some one to emulate their
example in the other large cities of the empire.
1t is true that the new tariff law will about
double the duty on shoes. but it will bear as
hardly upon shoes from other countries, and
American enterprise should be able in some
way TO hold its own in the competition.