The Washington times., 1916-05-28
COMMENT OF PRESS
ON NATIONS BUSINESS
General Opinion Is That a
Healthier and Safer Condi-
ton Is Prevalent Now.

That business Ia abandoning unwise
and excessive operations for sounder
and more restrained methods seems to
be the general opinion of metropolitan
newspapers.
The comment of the press indicates a
healthier and safer general condition.
Foreign Loans.
d Speaking Of foreign loans. the New
York Sun says:
South America IL not alone in seeking
to borrow millions in this market. Sew
eral loans sought by countries in other
parts Of the world are said to be re.
ceiving consideration by the bankers of
the city. Cuba is putting out feelers"
for n loan in this market. said to be
for more than Slo.0oo.ooO and less than
SIS, 100000.
"If this financing is done. it is said,
called the Plat act. Two British crown
colonies are also negotiating here for
loans which will together total about
Slb, 900. while British Columbia IL said
to be seeking money for the completion
OF certain railroad extensions which are
under way in that portion of the Do
minion."
Cleaning House Items.
Activity that prevailed In the stock
market during the greater part OF last
week found reflection IN the statement
Of the clearing house banks. accord
ing to the New York World.
This exhibit showed a very substan-
tioal increase in loans, amounting to
sl7,37s.OOO. and brought the total OF tho
loans outstanding up. to 81, 396, j93 900.
As a result of this marked expan-
sion in the loan account the surplus
reserves OF the clearing house insti-
or from the previous week amounting
to SIG, 72s.l4o. However the local banks
still have a very large aggregate re.
serve. the amount in excess of legal
requirements at the close of the week
being $67, 1888. 600.
The question Of further importations
OF gold from Canada, which during the
week amounted to $6,5cj,OD0. bringing the
total movement thus far up to sl7.25O-
0oo. Is at present engaging considerable
attention in the financial district par
ticularly as to its probable bearing
upon the future of foreign exchange.
had no decided effect upon the mar
ket for sterling exchange. which on
the week closed only shade below
the quotations of the previous week,
both as regards demand bills and cable
transfers.
War Orders Still Coming.
Despite the almost daily outpour-
ings or peace talk, a good deal of
which comes apparently from German
sources, 1t makes very little impress
sion In quarters where II is known
positively that the allies are placing
new contracts for large supplies OF
war munitions. says the New York
Tribune.
A large interest in one of the metal
industries made the assertion yester-
day that he had personal knowledge
OF a number of large war orders for
finished materials that had been placed
within the last ten DAYS. Some OF
this business went to the New Eng
land munition makers.
More Is waiting to be placed, ac-
cording to this man.
Hinges on Conventions.
The Philadelphia North American be.
heves the outcome OF the Chicago con-
ventions will have an effect on the
stock market.
with these influences exerting them.
selves and making for uncertainties
the disposition in financial quarters IL
to be cautious. Plus this. the broad and
strong advance which the market had
during week created a technical
position more favorable to reaction
Just the same. Industrial, transporta
ton and business operations in the
United States are going forward strong.
~ and with continued great profits.
should the war be brought to ar