The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-04-28
Enormous Demand and
Activity in England.
FELT ALSO IN DIXIE
A Summary Of Reports Received fl
the Southern Farm Magazine In
dictates Considerable Reduction
in Cotton Acreage and More
Diversification of Crops.

Especial to News and Observer
Baltimore. Nd. April 27-World-
wide prosperity in cotton manufacture
ing is shown in special letters pub
lished in this weeks issue of the Man
ufacturers' Record, indicating that
the remarkable activity in the iron
and steel industry of America prom
Uses in the near future to be fully
matched in phenomenal activity and
prosperity in the cotton goods trade
not only of this country, but of the
world. A comprehensive report on the
conditions in England, prepared by a
leading Manchester authority for the
Manufacturers Record, states that the
export trade to China and India has
been unprecedented in volume. the re-
Vival having commenced last fall and
by October the manufacturers were
sold seven or eight months ahead.
Since then conditions have continued
to improve, and "the oldest trader
finds it difficult to remember a time
when the engagements of manufac-
turerS were so deep, engagements, too,
made on a basis profitable to them.
In view of the heavy business done in
January it had been expected that
there would be a considerable Slacken-
ing, but, on the contrary, the market
continued surprisingly active and
large business was done for delivery
running twelve to fifteen months
ahead. The continuance of the active
demand and the capacity of absorption
were astonishing even to those who
thought they understood the condi-
tionS of the Celestial Empire. AS far
as could be seen. price differences
were a secondary matter. the period
of delivery being the first considera-
@l,;e, no
running full time in Great Britain,
with a demand so difficult of fulfill
ment that it is said secondhand looms
in good condition are being bought up
at advancing prices. The exports for
the first three months of the year
were 1880, 100000 yards, largely N
excess of the same time last year. Both
manufacturers and merchants seem
to be of one mind as to the desirability
of a pause, owing to the difficulty with
shippers to keep up the promised de-
liveries Manufacturers have advanced
prices in order to check the demand.
So great is this activity in British
cotton circles that it is regarded there
as phenomenal as is the marvellous
expansion of the iron industry in this
country. Fortunately, however, the
cotton manufacturers of the United
States are beginning to share in the
same prosperity, although the tide did
not turn here quite SO soon as in Eng
land. Reviewing the situation in the
South a correspondent, who has made
special inquiry throughout that sec
ton, writes as follows:
For some weeks past there have
been unmistakable signs of the grow
ing Improvement in the cotton mill
business of this section. in fact. of the
entire South This is seen in the
building of new mills and the enlarge
ment of others. The whole Southern
cotton milling field has taken on the
air of renewed prosperity. one of the
factors being an increase in the ex-
port business, which is now being
steadily worked up, and the export
mills of the South are sold up at
prices showing big profits, while the
warm mills are in a particularly good
condition. One large mill making ex-
port goods has sold its entire produc-
ton to May, 1906, and mill men state
that they could sell goods far into
next years delivery if they would
take orders now. The demand for
goods may be said to be unprecedented
i'm the history of cotton manufacturing.
The one great need is for ships to
carry our goods. The foreign bust
ness is limited only by the carrying
CAPACITY of the ships available, and
this fact is urged in favor of ship
subsidy. The home markets are hold
ing their own, but are not as active
as the export trade.