New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-05-23
EMBARGO ON COFFEE
Effect on Local and Interior
Coffee Markets.

The government coffee suit for the con-
troll and distribution OF Brazilian coffnes
in the hands OF American representatives
OF foreign bankers and the Brazilian gov
eminent has caused some speculation az 10
its effect and final adjustment. Coffee men
differ in their analyses of the question, but
there Is one point which IL certain. and
that is that there are tied UP at present
6Sl 600 bags OF coffee in this city. and that
outside Of this amount there are fewer
than 10000 bags which may be available, or
may not be, according TO future action OF
the governments agents.
In addition to the coffee now held UP by
the present suit there is on the way here
on board the Drumcliffe 1900 bags. which
may be brought into port or may be sent
back. as the valoriZaton syndicate may de-
eide not to take any chances OF having this
much additional coffee also put under the
holding action Of our government.
One specialist IN the coffee trade Is re-
ported about as follows:
There are only about $4,000 bags cr
valorized coffee held I'm the United States
out Of about l,si5.OOO Of Brazlls. Part OF the
$4,000 bags is. no doubt, sold to other per-
sons The syndicates most prominent
buyer is the Arbuckle, who own probably
half of the available supply I'm this country
Furthermore, most OF this coffee belongs TO
the syndicate in Rio. Our consumers have
for some years taken almost wholly OF the
Santos coffees. The ratio Of Santos to RIO
consumption I'm the United States IS about
4 TO l. Any effort. therefore, to market
the syndicate's holdings would be putting
a
special kind not largely used. The govern
ment has no right 10 coffee solo TO othe'
parties. and II will find that there Is less
than was expected I'm the stocks "hich II
has enlarged. Nor IS all OF the efo'V'
bags here. Some Of It is held In Europe
TO he shipped on call But under exIstins
conditions more will certainly not Do
shipped here"
As TO the effect on interior trade there
would be scarcely any as there Is prom
ably more coffee In this country no" IMAM
there has been at any time for consiuer-
able period. This condition is due to the
discrimination against the port OF Ne"
York on account Of high charges. To-Day
New Orleans is the largest import CITY Oh
coffee, and the trade for that port mas
been built up at the expense or New 10TH
The coffee sent TO New Orleans finds It's
r,arket i'm the interior points, and the con-
sequence is that any tying up Of Brazilian
coffee does not necessarily affect the IN
terror at this time. Most Of the coftee
received ct New Orleans is from Mexico
ano Central America. which trace Is NOT
and will not be affected by any ban on
brazilian valorization. There is some
movement on foot among foreign bankers
IN connection with the coffee situation
which has not yet come TO the surface ana
Just what it may mean can only he con
tectured. According to advices, $4,000
600 fund has been raised by bankers IN
Antwerp. Amsterdam and other cities
which was expected TO he used in forming
some concerted action in connection with
tho coffee trade Whether the governments
move here will stop the fulflment OF the
secret plans Of the foreigners. Of course,
may come out later. but at present no
trace Of the connection here could be found
though some banking connections on this
side wcre slylv limited at