New-York tribune., 1903-04-17
TRADE AND FINANCE ABROAD.

II the commercial fleet of Germany continues TO
increase in number in the extent Of its opera
tions as it has done during the last few years, ac
cording to the figures furnished to LEconomlste
Francais" by the statistican, Raffalovich. there
will be no reason for Germans to Join the projected
European campaign against the American COM
merciaI menace. In 1895 the value OF the German
mercantile fleet was 290000000 Of marks 426,OOOOOO
in 1898 900 1885, and than 5660ooOo in
1900 In 1874 fleet held fourth rank after Eng
land the United States and France In 1889 1t held
the second rank. coming Immediately after England
Since then 1t has trebed OF course, II Is still mucn
behind the British feet but 1t does not despair OF
being its equal and it is in advance of England IN
certain seas especially in those of the Far East
The regular service between that part OF the world
and Hamburg and Bremen was organized In SH'
it was subsidized and still lost a great deal OF
money: but the subsidy increased to 5,59oV0O
marks At BANGKOK Siam, the German tonnage in
1898 was the proportion of about per cent; TWO
years later it 40 per cent, While the BRUSH
tonnage receded from rs to IS cent In the port
of Saigon French Cochin China. IN 1900. 161 German
vessels were entered of 19O519 tons. and only 1ls
English. 16S,145 tons. At Haiphong FTencn d Lon
quin, in the same year 20 GerIah H has rreafed
new lines between Australia and China and along
the Chinese coast up to Han-Kow. on the Yang.tse
Five German steamers make the river service They
are be also in Northern China at 14leIii T4ii
vostok. In 1898 SO German vessels entered tnat
Fegi1IaT movement of 52 German steamers, with
% 900 tons, against 81 English with 1900 tons
The reopening Of the cattle trade between Ar
gcntina and England which long delayed
by uniustied fear of contagious diseases has given
an enormous impulse TO the movement IN the prln-
cipal ports Of the Argentine Republic. The Buenos
Ayres Herald said recently that the dock In
these DAYS presents a of activity such as was
not witnessed for many months. Big steam
ships lying two and three abreast of the dock walls
is not an uncommon sight while three cattle laden
steamers were seen to sail in day. Grain,
Is heir shi thousands
while every incoming steamer is loaded to the
maximum with merchandise of all descriptions,
in evidence. Unfortunately, there is little shad-
this picture of commercial activity and pros
With great reason increasing prices their cat
tie, but recent statistics show that the once great &
of so many cattle lords, has al put ceased IN
slaughtering the cows. which if not checked by
legislation may have serious results especially as
is probable, If the demand for steers to ship alive
and freeze increases as expected. and brings about
going on for years. The Argentine newspapers
were beginning to discuss this matter of the
most vital of all for the cOuntrys future.
The old question of the ownership by the State
of every railroad, It owns in some European
countries the teegraphs, posts. tobacco and other
nonopolies came again to the front recently in
France. The Commission of Credits in the Cham
Der of Deputies has adopted the report of NJ FZotz
on the proposals relative to the buying up by the
State of the Quest and Midi CWestern and South
addressed to the government in the Chamber sit
ting January %. 1902. TO proceed to the buying
of the Quest and Midi network, and the promise
given to that effect in the ministerial declaration
of 10 of the same year. He recalled also that
the former debates had exhausted all that could
be said pro or the subject OF the iron
roads and their ownership by the State or hy the
companies. Moreover said M, Klotz. 1T is
the doctrnal side of the question of the purchase
since all railroad concessions will expire within
sixty years and the public powers are not at all
disposed to prolong their duration
In international politics 1t is noted Just that
there is a coolness between France and Russia.
Among other symptoms it may be said that the
agricultural press of Russia is openly hostile TO
France whose wines may be eliminated from Mus
covite tables The Russian Ministry Of Agriculture
has lust granted premiums of $3.50 rubles IN order
TO encourage the production of fine grade of wine
bv the vine growers Of the Tauride Province. in
the Caucasus that recourse TO the Foreign
article should become less and less frequent. The
VINEYARDS thus subsidized by the st. petersburg
Government will produce wines bearing the French
names Of Cabernet. Muscat Chardonnay, etc.
At the moment when understanding has been
concluded at last between Norway and Sweden to
the effect that the former shall have It's own con-
sular representatives the official statistics OF Nor
werian commerce in 1901 have just been published.
showing the Importance OF that commerce. much
larger than that OF Sweden. The external trade OF
Norway had reached in 1901 the total Of 6S 1874 Oh
francs the imports amounting to 3SS,SSSSSS francs
and the exports TO 22S3 .Ob francs Ine dinerence
hetween the Imports and exports-16e 335 francs
Is due in large part to the important earnings
of the Norwegian marine and also 70 the money
left In the country by the numerous tourists from
Europe and America