The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-06-10
HIGH COTTON PRICES
MAKE EGYPT PROSPER
Despite Inferior Quality Of
Crop, Growers Will Be
Well Paid.
WAR WAS BLESSING
Thirty Million Pounds Added
to Country's Wealth
by Struggle.

Cairo. Egypt.-(Correspon of
the Associated Press. EGYPT is en-
5oying an abundant prosperity as a re-
suit Of the increase in the price of cot
ton which doubled within three months
last fall, declares the acting financial
advisor in outlining the Egyptian
budget for the current year.
Egyptian cotton" he asserts. rose
to heights unknown since the American
Civil war; The result is that. notwith-
standing the relatively inferior yield of
ize more than G4OOOO,000, or about
double that of last year.
The continued presence in Egypt of
large British force has at the same
time exercised it's influence as a Sec
ond factor in the exceptional prosperity
of the country. The resources of Egypt
and Sudan have been drawn upon in
every conceivable manner for military
requirements, and the productive activ-
tiles of the population have been slim
ulated in all directions to meet the de-
mand."
Great Wealth Increase.
Iuc dStlus IiNducIti duNlStT tSti-
mates that during the two and one half
years which have elapsed since the
commencement of the war sum of
100000, 900 has been added TO the cap
ital resources of Egypt.
This considerable and unlocked for
accession Of wealth." continues the ad-
wiser. does not permit of any fresh
development Of the country's economic
resources for the present. owing to the
difficulty of obtaining the necessary
materials, which difficulty Is, in fact.
actually bringing about a tendency to
retrogression by delaying the necessary
npkeep of work already in existence.
The sums are consequently being en-
nloyed in investments abroad. where
they operate as a set-off to the in
debtedness of the country probably to
the extent OF one third of the private
capital invested from foreign resources,
and relieve to that extent the heavy
tribute which the country has to pay
annually to its creditors abroad"
The advisor showed that imports in
1916 totalled nearly G l90OO0oO in 1915,
and have even exceeded the figures for
the years preceding the war This rise
Is not due to any lavish expenditures
on the part Of the people, but is mainly
attributable to the greatly increased
prices of practically all imports. En-
ports in 1916 amounted to G37,5OO,000.
when one considers" resumes the
adviser, the general situation in Egypt
as compared with that of other coun-
tries. 1t appears as one of singular
fol nt<
the theater of war. the waves of In
vasion. nevertheless beat harmlessly
against the well-guarded frontiers.
while her inhabitants. in the enjoy
ment OF a sheltered peace. see un-
looked-for riches bestowed upon them.
The reflection that the country is thus
profiting from the terrible conflict
which is convulsing the world may well
exercise q restraining influence on any
tendency to waste those profits on en-
travagant living.
THE enlargement Of the cotton
area in 1916. coupled with the difficult
ties attendant on the importance Of
cereals from other countries. has nat
urally diminished the available supplies
of this category of foodstuffs Some
ItItIoli vi lne surplus SloCk Oh 1919 mas,
however, no doubt been available to
supplement the production of 1916. and
no serious shortage is anticipated I'M
til the forthcoming harvest"
1.-THE general level of wholesale prices
of commodities produced in the country
has risen to 80 per cent over July, 1914.
This rise is attributable on the one
hand, to the increased demand, both
civil and military, on the resources of
the country. and. on the other. to the
difficulty Of experimenting those re-
sources by imports. II the war con-
tinues, the diminution of the nroduc-
tive power of other countries will be-
come more marked and 1t may become
necessary for Egypt to assist the allied
cause by contributing supplies from
her comparative abundance, even
though to do so may entail on her fur
Their sacrifices"