Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-11-28
U. S. NOT DEPENDENT
UPON IMPORTS
Trade Council Says Country
Could Subsist for Long Time
on Stock on Hand.
ANALYSTS OF THE SOURCES

New York, Nov. N.-The extent to
which the life and industry of the
United States depend upon the prod
ucts OF the countries now at war is
analysed in report just issued as a
part of the National Foreign Trade
councils investigation OF the possible
effect Of European economic alliances
on American foreign trade. Although
it is shown that this country only in
rare instances is absolutely dependent
upon foreign supplies. the analysis
establishes the fact that the efficiency,
economy and convenience of import
tant American manufacturing and ex-
porting activities have been directly
related to the established sources OF
foreign supply Of crude and semi
manufactured materials. The report
says:
"Of 2l3 commodities, each OF an I'M
port value OF more than 81 100000 in
1918, III were principally imported
from nations OF the allied group Tin
GLIDING the British colonies). while
only forty-nine principally came from
the central powers. In but forty-four
cases neutral countries were the
source OF principal supply. This allied
superiority results from the United
States extensive importations from
the British colonies. The United
Kingdom Exclusive OF the British
colonies) appears forty-six times
among the countries Of principal sup
ply and Germany forty-hve times"
Changes in Sources Probable.
Changes in such sources are posi-
bilities resulting from the European
alliances. Increased cost OF the sup
ply OF the materials concerned in such
changing, it is held, may result If
either or both the entente and central
allied economic groups seek to con-
serve their own materials for their
own use, cost being UNCHANGED either
through the operation of the laws Of
supply and demand or by artificial re-
strictions such as the Canadian pro-
hibition of the expectation OF Crown
land pulp woods.
1T would seem that policies d.
rected to establish self-sufhciency in
either or both groups would tend to
q Encouragement rather than to a
denial Of supply Of raw material" says
the report. In other words, il the
allies endcavor TO draw their raw ma
tcrials exclusively from among them
selves, neutral sources of supply will
be relied upon by other, nations now
depending upon the allies
U. S. Imports Little Food.
The dependence OF this country
upon the rest OF the world for food
stuffs Is such that interruption OF sup
ply would not be serious. Importa-
tons are mostly in specialties. There
is no actual dependence for foodstuffs
upon either allied group by this coun-
n try. Tea and coffee are possible ex-
ceptions to the practical independence
of this country OF others for food. The
former Is almost wholly supplied by
one neutral, Brazil, and the latter
could BE supplied wholly BY other rieu-
trails.
"A secure supply Of raw materials
and partly manufactured goods is es-
sential to the future export trade, !
continues the report. THE shortage in
the supply Of several materials used
for industrial purposes in this country
since the outbreak OF the war has dis
closed the fact that the United States
manufacturing industry is not COM
pletely self-supporting."
The report refers to the efforts to
create, coal tar dye industry here to
replace these products from Germany
and describes the sources Of other ar.
ticlesyfor which the United States de.
ponds on other countries.
Practically Independent.
1T seems that none OF the goods
chiefly imported into this country dur.
ing 1918 really need be imported and
that they could be done without for !
prolonged period by using accumula'
ted stocks Il It should become impera
tive in the interest OF the nation tc
dispense with such imports. The de
velopment Of American industry hal
been one of opportunity, convenienc,
Z and economy. American manufaetur
ers, therefore, have abstained fire.
quently from making goods the man
ufacturc OF which did not seen
profitable under American conditions
and have left it to the importers t,
supply the real or imaginary needs o
the country. When two years ago tn
regularity al fhis convenient sunni,