Evening star., 1916-11-27
HOW j. s. DEPENDS !
ON FOREIGN GOODS
Study of Sources of Supply
Necessary to American 1
Manufacturers. !
NOT WHOLLY INDEPENDENT

NEW YORK. November 27|The ex-
tent to which the life and industry OF
the United States depend upon the
products Of the countries now at war
is analyzed 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
1t is shown that this country only in
rare instances Is absolutely dependent
upon foreign supplies, the analysis es-
tablishes the fact that the efficiency,
economy and convenience of important
American manufacturing and exporting
activities have been directly related to
the established sources of foreign sup
ply of crude and semi manufactured
materials. The report says:
"Of 213 commodities, each Of an i'm
port value of more than sI.000,O00 in
1913, l2l were principally imported
from nations of the allied group (in-
Guiding the British colonies), while
only forty-nine principally came from
the central powers. In but fortyfour
cases neutral countries We're the source
of principal supply. This allied su-
periority results from the United
States extensive importations from the
British colonies. The United Kingdom
exclusive of the British colonies) ap-
pears foIty-siX times among the coun-
tries of principal supply, and Germany
forty-ave times
Sources May Be Changed.
Changes in such sources are possibili-
ties resulting from the European alli-
ances Increased cost of the supply OF
the materials concerned in such chang
ing. it is held, may result if either or
both the entente and central allied
economic groups seek to conserve
their own materials for their own use,
cost being enhanced either through the
operation of the laws of supply and
demand or by artificial restrictions
such as the Canadian prohibition of the
expectation Of crownland pulp woods.
1T would seem that policies directed
to establish self-sufficiency in either or
both groups would tend to "A rearrange-
ment rather than to denial of supply
of raw MATERIAL. says the report "In
other words. if the allies endeayor to
draw their raw materials exclusively
from among themselves, neutral sources
of supply will be relied upon by other
nations now depending upon the allies"
The dependence of this country upon
the rest of the world for foodstufs is
such that interruption of supply would
not be serious. Importations are most
ly in specialties. There is no actual
dependence for foodstuffs upon either
allied group by this country Tea and
practical Independence of this country
of others for food. The former is al
most wholly supplied by one neutral
Brazil. and the latter could be supplied
wholly by other neutrals.
"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 fact that the United States manu-
featuring industry is not completely
self-supporting.
The report refers to the efforts -
create a coal tar dye industry here {"
replace these products from Germany.
and describes the sources OF other arti-
cles for which the United States de-
pends on other countries.
Manganese From Brazil.
In the case of manganese, where
British India and Russia. during 1913.
We're the principal suppliers. supplies
are being increasingly drawn from
Bra zil.' it continues. For nickel, how
ever. the United States is practically
entirely dependen upon allied sources.
From 1911 to 1913 = k.l was imported
only from Canada ana TO an extr o'Siy
small percentage also from Belgium.
Also in tin a strong dependence upon
foreign supplies exists, and attention
is being given to the development OF
neutral resources. The silk consumed
by the American silk industry comes
mostly from Japan and Italy. China
supplying about one-eighth of the
present import.
1T seems that none of the goods
chiefly imported into this country dur
ing 1913 really need be imported. ana
that they could be done without for
a prolonged period by using accumu-
lated stocks if it should become i'm
peratiye in the interest of the nation
to dispense with such imports. The
development of American industry has
been one of opportunity, convenience
and economy. American manufacturer.
therefore, have abstained frequently
from making goods the manufacture of
which did not seem profitable under
American conditions. and have LETT II
to the importers to supply the real or
Imaginary needs of the country. When.
two years ago, the regularity OF this
supply was checked, q;
shortage of certain supplies existed
until the American industry adjusted