New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-09-12
WAR TO PROMOTE
AMERICAN SILKS
South America and Can
ada Must Seek Materials
in This Market.
DYESTUFFS OFFER
SERIOUS PROBLEM
Opportunity for Reciprocal
Business with Australasia
Never Better than Now.

The war will have a favorable effect
Oh silks manufactured in this country,
according to the semi-snnual report of
the "Silk Trade" which contains ex-
haustive and interesting comment on
the war and the American silk indus
try.
The report also predicts military
note to fashions this fall, which, it as
sertS, will prove of much value to silk
manufacturers. The report says that
probably no other trade in this country
employs so many French, Germans,
japanese and Italians, many Of whom
have Como back to their native land
to take part in the war or to help pre-
serve neutrality. 1t also points out
that two-thirds Of our raw silk comes
from Japan, and that onc-fifth of the
silk merchandise consumed in this
country is imported from France, Japan
and Germany. The report continues;
1.-THE sudden cutting of Of commerce
! between France and Germany and the
rest Of the world will unquestionably
cause South America and Canada to
seek their silk merchandise in this
market.
1.-THE closing Of the silk mills OH the
Continent Of Europe will undoubtedly
have an immediate and favorable effect
on the demand for silks manufactured
in the United States. The silks and
vclvcts imported from France and Ger
many have been almost wholly the
richest and highest class fabrics and
our manufacturers have an unusual OPP
portunity by this sudden cutting off Of
foreign competition to exercise their
originality in the production of novel
ties which will meet with the present
fashion desires of American women.
at has been urged that now is the
time for the creation of American fash
ions and for American designers to
Irove to the women Of the United
States that they need not go to Paris
for attractive styles. particularly since
the great Partisan dressmaking estab-
lishments have been practically oblit-
Grated from the realms of fashion. We
venture to predict that the military
note will be very strong in the new
styles.
1.-THE most serious aspect Of the raw
material situation is the cutting off OF
dyestuffs and chemicals that arc pro-
duced almost exclusively BY German
manufacturers. In the event of silk
manufacturers being unable TO obtain
sufficient quantity of aniline dyes.
they will have to make use of dye
wood extracts and vegetable dyes or
make silks in black and white.
"When the shock of the war first
came. its immediate effect was vio-
lent drop on the Yokohama market and
virtually suspension of business III
Europe, Shanghai and Canton. These
events were brought about by the
closing Of the international exchanges
and the wars interference with the
ocean freight-carrying trade. These
problems are being slowly adjusted
but it will doubtless be considerable
time Before the trade is again flowing
in normal channels.
THAT the consumption of silk IN
Europe will for some time be restrict
ed is certain. and that America can
not be expected to take all this addi-
tional silk is no less certain"
Splendid opportunities exist at pres
ent for the American manufacturer to
promote his trade in Australia ana
New Zealand, in the opinion of Or.
Albert A. Snowden, Foreign Trade
Commissioner of the National Assocl-
alton of Manufacturers, who has lately
returned from an extended visit 10
Australasia and the Orient. THE Pan
ana Canal" said Dr. Snowden, under
normal conditions would open to Aus
tralasia the enormous consuming mar
kets of the Eastern United States for
tire sale of their primary products,
such as meat, wool, butter, cheese, eHe'
II IS on the production of these goods
that the wonderful prosperity OF Aus
tralasia depends. Reciprocal trade OPP
nortunities will be afforded through
his new alignment of business, and
the war itself appears to increase TINS
opportunity through the shutting out
Of enormous quantities of supplies
from the Continental countries IN
"As it is reasonable to believe that
the British factories will hardly eX-
coed their former capacity under pres
emit conditions, it would appear tnat
the bulk of the trade now unprrovided
for in Australia must fall to the lou
nj the United States if we are active
i. our plans to capture it."