The Washington herald., 1915-08-22

.Si iSdu
the high explosive she'll and the trench
digger
Immediately after the American occu-
patton OF Porto Rico, following the Span
lsh war. Porto Rico's sugar industry
started to boom and attained a degree of
prosperity even exceeding the hitherto
banner year of 1879. when 40, 900 tons
were produced. The high water mark
was reached in 1918 with 341.696 tons.
The 1914 output was smaller and the
1915 output will be even less, owing to
the effect of the new tariff on the acre
age.
But unless peace is consummatei
sooner than now appears probable.
Porto Rico will cultivate every availa BILE
acre and the next crop should be the
greatest on record.
To illustrate the decentralization of the
European growers and the continents
dependency on the new world for its
sugar supply. 10000 tons have been
purchased in the United States since the
war opened in August last. The year be-
fore only 1860 tons were sent across
the water. In addition, Europe had pur-
chased from Cuba up to June l more
than 100000 tons, against a total pur-
chase for all of last year of 304 900 tons.
This drain on the resources of both
Cuba and the United States has a direct
effect on our domestic surplus for this
year, which in turn will be reflected in
future sugar prices. The combined do
mestic and Cuban crops for 1915 exceed
the requirements of the American mar
ket by only $50, 900 tons AS Europe has
drawn on both countries so far for
$4,000 tons, it is evident that the avail
able supply will be little If any above
actual requirements. Practically 80 per
cent of the estimated surplus has already
been absorbed
In addition to past purchases from the
United States and Cuba, it is agreed by
sugar experts that England, France and
other foreign countries will have to con-
tinue to draw on both these countries for
further supplies. which may amount to
100000 tons, including both centrifu-
gal and refined. about evenly divided in
amounts.
The former will doubtless be pur-
chased largely in Cuba and will consid-
erablv affect the United States supply
from that quarter. The refined will have
to be ordered in the American market.
and If purchased before December 81
will completely wipe out this country's
surplus of sugar from the 1914-15 crop.
The effect Of this drain on the sugar sup
Div Of the United States will be to main
tain the price Of sugar to the consumer
at or above the present level
recent article in the London Statist.
reviewing the worlds available sugar
supply, points out the necessity Of fur
Their heavy purchases OF sugar by Great
Britain. France and other countries and
predicts that there will be exceptionally
heavy competition for the 1915 sugar
crop with consequent high prices. One
Of the peculiarities of the present situa-
tion to which the writer draws attention
is the fact that in spite Of the advance
in the price Of sugar since the outbreak
of the Europecn war, the consumption OF
sugar in the United Kingdom actually
has increased This is explained in part.
no doubt, by the large amounts Of sugar
required by the army. The article says
in part:
For the first four months Of the e
nresent year the home consumption OF
sugar came out at 596,50o tons. against
so4.2s4 tons for the corresponding Pc
nod last year. It will be perceived
that the increase is something like IS
per cent and therefore very apprecia-
bile. The total imports Of all kinds OF
SUGAR for the period came out at 54o,-
o41 tons and the figures indicate how
the increased consumption caused a
shrinkage Of stocks. The refined i'm
ported amounted to 1s4.034 tons.
against 2s2,455 tons for the same Pc
riod last year. That, OF course. tells
a tale, and shows how English refn-
ers increased their output. consequent
on receiving 131. 900 tons less Of Con-
tinental beet sugar. q diminution the
direct and immediate outcome Of the
war.
Beyond $4,000 tons contributed by
Holland, We had virtually no CONT
mental beet sugar coming in. Ger