The Columbus courier. [volume] (Columbus, Luna County, N.M.) 1911-1920, 1915-03-26

New York.-A common estimate Of
the wars length is three years. In
the first six months OF the conflict
the United States sold about $400r
100000 in war supplies, not taking
into consideration foodstuffs designed
for civilian populations. By August 1
our trade will reach 81 1000, 100000; and
unless something occurs to check this
phenomenal business $4,000, 000, 900
will have poured into the United
States before the treaty Of peace Is
signed.
Even II the war should stop right
nov our trade IN the materials of war
would o reach a billion. for most
OF the great contracts are written to
be fulfilled without regard to the
course OF the war and run for two
years, or even longer.
Our gain would be " e larger
could we supply both sides. As II is,
almost nothing is going to the Teu-
tonic allies.
The United States government Of
hcials are unable to give anything
like correct figures Of the trade in
war supplies. A large proportion,
how large Il is impossible TO say,
goes to Canada FIRST and is shipped
from there to England, France, Rus
sla or one Of their allies.
There is no penalty for mlsbilling
exports. Much g%unpowder is going
out in cases marked sugar or salt, es-
pecially through Pacific ports to Rus
STA by way OF V~ladivOstok.
In the most authoritative circles II
Is estimated that the principal items
in the four millions OF dollars worth
ordered here IN the first six months
were: Motor cars. S25, 000, 900; arms
explosives and the like, sos, 10000;
iron and steel, S65,OOO 600: uniforms
socks, sweaters, etc, S~SO,OOO,OOO
chemicals and hospital supplies. Sc,
100000; soldiers shoes, harness ant
other leather products. $4,000, 900
miscellaneous. including food sup
plies known to have gone to tn,
armies. $3.50. 600, 1000.
Plants Run Night and Day.
II can be said without fear Of con
tradiction that the allies have no
G0uAAllNNu vi III NlAAANG uuAHuA "
the arms and ammunition factories o
the United States. while scores o
concerns are enlarging their plant
and running three shifts a day to ful
MI their foreign contracts.
Many OF these companies do no
know they are turning out goods 70
a foreign power. They may surmis
It. but they do not care. They deal
only through a broker or agent an
with great secrecy.
Goods are sold for delivery here
and shipment is at the buyers risl
The buyer enforces secrecy, becaus
the goods are contraband. The mar
~ufacturers surround their plants wit
high fences and troops Of arme
guards in order not only 10 co-opeI
ate with the buyers in maintainin
secrecy. but also TO prevent meddlln
by agents Of governments hostile /
the buyers
The rs iirearm and ammunitio
factories I'm the United States ord
narily employ 10000 persons. No
their forces number $4,000 and ar
increasing.
The enormous demand for high q
plosives has forced prices to hlg
levels. Pierio acid, used In maxim
explosives. has risen from 20 cents ,
S2.5O a pound and the entire suppl
on hand has been bought up. TEoi
who Htill have %guncotton on han
which can be- delivered within 3
days are asking rs cents a pounI
The usual price Is 20 10 20 cents
February the French governmei
tried TO buy 24,N0O, 900 pounds OF gu
cotton. offering &c cents. II war ul
o~btainable, 50 contracts we're place
With a number Of mills running ov,
two years,
More than 10000 automobile trucl
have been shipped TO England a.
France since August 1, but from n
way new orders are coming IN. III
hraUrH ~ fraAa q a.1. 49,.