The San Francisco call., 1904-11-20

LONDON, Nov. 1e.-Dan Sully AID
the others Of his kind seem likely TO
leave bigger mark on the worlds
history than one would naturally sup
pose. For at last, as a direct result
of American speculation in cotton, the
British manufacturers dependent on
the American product have gone seri-
ously 10 work TO raise cotton enough
10 supply their own mills.
There has been much talk about
British cotton for years past, and
hints have been sent out from time 10
Llue that the movement was possibly
2 bigger affair than had been realized
In the United States. And now there
is no longer any doubt about it. Be
fore many years il IS predicted the
British colonies viii be turning out al
most as much cotton as the United
States and much Of it Of equal quality.
The demand is increasing so much
faster than the supply, however, that
IL is thought that the only effect in
the United States Of the new British
movement viii be TO prevent corners.
In normal years the English manu-
facturers import $500, 000, 900 worth of
the raw staple, the bulk Of which
comes from the United States. They
believe that # the new scheme con-
tinues as well as il has started, it will
not be more than ten or fifteen years
before they viii be able to get on
without a penny's worth from across
the Atlantic.
WILL VISIT IN AMERICA.
Some Of the Lancashire cotton man
ufacturers viii probably accept the
hOspitable invitation Of the Southern
manufacturers TO visit them and talk
things over. They and their hosts will
find themselves in genial accord on a
good many things and especially as to
the desira bility of hanging the stock
gamblers, who get up corners in cot
ton. But the bulk Of the cotton men
on this side scout the suggestion that
they can best find a way out Of their
troubles by lending a hand TO increase
the area Of cotton culture in the South.
Lancashire's great industry has been
worse hit by the short supply and high
price Of cotton than is generally real
lied in America According to the
latest estimates the various interests
concerned in il have lost over SO, 000,-
600 in the last twelve months. Experts
have done a lot Of figuring on the out
look for the future and they have all
reached the same conclusion. It is that
If England continues dependent on the
United States for the bulk OF her cot
ton her colossal cotton manufacturing
industry, which directly or indirectly
gives employment to 100000 people,
win be ruined and that at no distant
date. II would be a national disaster
almost as appalling as the loss Of her
colonial empire.
LANCASHIRE'S AWAKENING.
The worlds present production Of
cotton has been estimated by a Ian
cashire expert at 5000, 900 bales, Of
which the United States produces H.
100000 bales; India, 100000; Egypt, a.
OJ0,0 and the rest of the world an
other 1000, 900 bales. In ten years from
now. figuring on the normal increase
II consumption, it is predicted that I9,-
600 300 bales viii be required to keen
the worlds spindles busy, and in fif-
tocn years 23,00O,0O0 bales. That the
United States can come anywhere near
satisfying this demand is considered
Impossible. In fact, 1t is asserted that
with her own population rapidly grow
ing and her own mills increasing. her
surplus for export must inevitably de-
crease.
Thus il has come about that the Ian
cashire folk have walked up" That
awakening mas borne fruit in the or
ganization Of the British Cotton Grow
ing Association, which has for its OBJ
ject the promotion Of cotton culture in
The British Empire. 1t has made pro-
vision for a fund Of s500.OOO TO carry
on the work. Although the cotton
spinners have had 10 work for months
on short time, one of their associations
has contributed over $4,000 to the fund,
so convinced are its members that in
the success Of the movement lies their