The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-09-02

The attention that has been given by
United States consuls to this move
ment for the emancipation of European
cotton manufacturers from the Ameri
can market is remarkable, in view of
the fact that no special instructions
were sent to them calling for reports
on the subject. Consul General Evans,
at London, reports on the efforts Of
the British association to increase the
cotton production of the British West
Indies and cf the British colonies in
Africa. Consul Marshall Halstead, at
Birmingham, forwards information
covering the same ground and Consul
Estes, at Antigua, sends report on
the encouragement Of cotton planting
in the British West Indies
Consul General Hughes, at Coburg,
and Consul Haynes, at Rouen, send
reports on the efforts Of European
countries, especially France, to develop
cotton production in their colonies.
The most elaborate report on this sub
ject from France is submitted by
Consul Thackara, who gives in great
detail an account of the work being
done by the Association Cotoniere
Coioniale to develop the cultivation Of
cotton in the French African colonies,
No country is going into the encoa-
ragement Of cotton production in its
colonies more energetically than Ger
many. Consul Monaghan, at Chemnitz,
submitted a report as long as last
December calling attention to the
progress being made in the German
East African colonies, and especially
to the good results attributed to the
skill Of the American planters whom
the German Government engaged to
60 to East Africa to instruct the ma
tiyes in the proper methods of cul-
tiyating cotton. A recent report from
Consul General Hughes, at Coburg,
tells of the results obtained in the
Kiiwa district of German East Africa.
He says that cotton received from this
district and tested at the Bremen Cot
ton Exchange and by the union Of
Saxon cotton spinners at Chemnitz
showed that it was nearly as good
in staple, color, etc., as the highly
valued Egyptian product, from seeds
of which it was grown. He reports
that the Manchester Chamber of Com
merce declares that it is better suited
to replace Egyptian cotton than any
other quality known. Consul Schu-
mann. at Mains, has recently submit
ted a report on cotton culture in the
German colonies in which he says that
plantations have been established in
Togo Meara Kamerun, German
Southwest Africa and German East
Africa. He also says that a German
syndicate contemplates the culture of
cotton in Asia Minor.
The present cotton corner may be Of
some benefit to the planters of the
Southern States during the present
season. 1t is certain that those who
are able to get a part of their crop
into the market during the first few
weeks of the season will profit by the
present high prices. In view, how
ever, of the evident determination of
European Governments and manufac-
turers to stimulate production in other
parts of the world, and in view of the
great Impetus necessarily given to such
a movement by the straits through
which the European manufacturers are
now passing, it may we'll be question
ed whether the ultimate effect of the
corner will not be detrimental to the
American planter. News and Courier