New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-28
GERMANY'SEXPORTS
TO u. S. DECREASE
Figures for 1914, $l59,05l,-
$50, a Falling Off of
S31,552,1S5.

Berlin, Jan. q. Exports from Ger
many TO the United States in 1914, ac-
cording to statistics compiled by Julius
G.. Lay, American Consul General here,
amounted to Sl59,O5l $50. This shows
a falling off Of S31 ,552, 1856, as compared
with the previous year. That this de-
crease falls entirely within the period
Of the war is proved By a comparison
Of the last six months of 1913 with the
last six months Of 1914.
This change perhaps is not so much
due 70 general trade depression as 70
the prohibitions on the export OF arti-
cles of military value. Hides and
leather alone account for Sl2,000,00O Of
the decrease, there not having been a
single shipment Of these goods in the
las; quarter of the year.
Cotton manufacturers and the eX-
portels OF electrical machinery sup
plies suffered generally, but certain
other lines Of trade showed surprising
activity or even gained during the war.
IL should be borne in mind that the
supply Of raw cotton was for time
interrupted and dropped 80 per cent,
and that copper enters largely into the
manufacture of electrical equipment.
a falling off is 10 be expected. how
ever, in 1915, as considerable pro-
portion of the exporting at the present
time is due TO the filling of incomplete
contracts. Little new business is being
contracted for. and the usual run of
American buyers in the winter season
is not 20 be noticed this year. The de.
cision TO hold the usual spring fair at
Leipsic from March | 20 March may
attract buyers in greater numbers.
The freight rates for exports, owing
to the necessity of finding return car
goes fer American cotton ships, are
favorable. According TO the list Of eX-
pected steamer arrivals, cotton is COM
ing i'm AZ the rate of $4,000 bales a
month 20 meet the estimated yearly
demand of 100000 bales. This indi-
Gates that the number Of steamers en-
gagged m this traffic is likely to increase
rather than decrease a. the year gets
older. The opportunity recently afford
ed to import turpentine and resin also
will stimulate shipping.
American trade with Germany. how
ever, is still suffering from several in
comprehensive difficulties. American
agents find il hard TO understand why
they cannot get supplies of carpet
sweepers. typewriters and women's
Shoes, the military availability Of these
particular goods not being clearly ap-
parent TO them. The difficulty Of Sc
curing American Photographic sup
plies is throwing this branch Of the
trade into the hands Of German manu-
fac.urers. and the British embargo on
copper, according 10 arguments ad-
yanced here is likely TO have a perma-
nent effect on the American copper
trade after the war. German manu-
facturers If articles in which copper
is largely used. under the spur of ne
ccssity or influenced by the high price
of the metal, arc finding that zinc or
alloys, or even steel and cast iron, can
be satisfactorily substituted in num-
her of cases. II is believed that the
lower cost Of these materials will in
duce manufacturers to continue with
them even should the return Of peace
restore normal conditions.