The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-03-31
WORLD LOOKING TO
AMERICA FOR COAL
r. c. Martens Says Demand
After War Will BE for 20
to 40 Million Tons.
VIEWS OF LORD RHONDDA

\ c. Martens. ~vfce-pre~ident Of \.
Martens q Co. ina, who recently am
70 this country with the idea Of building
up American trade with Russia. gave to
Q representative Of THE u yesterday
the vfews Of Lord Rhondda. president
Of the company and head Of ono OF the
largest combinations OF coIlieries IN ehe
world, on the world coal situation which
viii result from the a
These Views lead. from she American
pptne OF view, 70 one interesting and
svnoortsnt conclueion-that Immediately
following the war America must be the
chief snppiier Of . demand for between
10000, 900 and 100000 900 tons Of coal
and that how much Of his export busi-
ness she will b able to retain depends
largely on the willingness and ability Of
her producers and shippers to study and
meet the conditions OF foreign countries.
The total exports Of bituminous coal from
thu United States IN 1918 were 1+,&1:,-
Se5 tons.
Mr.. Martens further discussed the TIRE
npendoxls waste to be observed both
among producers and OF coal
IN his country. the consumers. he said.
having in most instances given appar.
entity no study to the grade Of coal which
would be most economical in their own
particular work. and producers, with no
demand for careful grading. having been
neglectful In their preparation n los
ing much that would be conserved In
ENGLAND. II was this lack Of attention
which would have TO he remedied. he
said. to meet successfully . foreign mar
ket.
According to Lori Rhondda's opinion.
he aid the hrgt demand OF the world
upon the close Of the war and the re-
leasing Of shipping. with tho consequent
disappearance OF excessive freight
rates. would IA for coal. This would
be true not only OF belligerent hut OF
other countries that are now SUFFERING
from q SHORTAGE In nearly every part OF
the world. In this event the English
coal man sees no country except the
United States in q position to meet the
demand.
{ worlds chief coal exporter. with a
total Of $4,000, 900 tons sent out In 1918
will b tremendously crippled. Hei
miners have enlisted and her production
Is cut FAR down. When the war is ovei
she cannot resume her normal place II
"a moment. Thousands OF her miner.
havA Given I'M underground work to be
ono Skilled soldiers and the narrowes
estimate ~ IN. Tins which will be nee
e.sarv Por then, 10 reaccustom them.
selves To the old work and place pro
duc,ior on a basis OF full CAPACITY 1,
from four IN six months.
..Neanwhile the coal mines Of Francs
and Belgium haye been in the hand.
NJ TIA f;ermana The first thing tina,
~iu he needed to reopen them will h
fucI for the railroads and fuel for In.
dus,ries In Russia the situation IL sim
liar Tho mines OF Poland have beer
ssrc>lv shut down and the imports fron
Great Britain have been almost cut of
cxcen, for the absolute necessities.
"r;ermany has been enabled 10 he
factor in tho world coal market through
Government s,,hsidizing OF her operators
n ,s doub, full IL aha will he rich enoug
after the war 10 continue such a Gus
tom italy 4. VIGOROUSLY short, and al
neutral countries which are not self
suUplyip1 arc burning wood and oil an.
every sort Of f,c, tina, WAS never use,
before , 80 .he t,ayment OF prohibi
live ct,n %. ist rates. The situa
ZION 4, IN. ,,rthorn countries, wher
esnuf, ,,u.ers usually Law in a fou
months .,lpnly OF fuel against the win
Ter months. ia an EXAMPLE. This reserv