Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-12-14

Of large quantities of machinery from
the United States and England on a
cash basis is out of the question at
the present rate of exchange lover
60 per cent above normaD.
So it can readily be seen that trade
with Belgium. the activity OF the
United States in re-
Rsstnck;nr stocking this war-torn
country. offers prob
11ouAeMe' lens that will tax the
resourcefulness and the sagacity Of
the best business men of both coun-
tries.
Under such conditions. then. it is
most gratifying to note the real COM
mercial constructive work that has
been done in that particular market.
Statistics compiled in the bureau of
foreign and domestic commerce show
that Belgium is now fifth among the
nations Of the world as a market for
United States exports-being sur
passed only by the United Kingdom,
France, Canada and Italy.
That the commercial interests Of the
United States lost no time in renewing
trade relations with Belgium after the
cessation of hostilities is shown IN
record breaking exports amounting
to s2s3,417.ess. or $a7 per capita for
the total imports from Belgium in
the same period seem small by COM
parison, being only $2,901,644, they
really prove the tremendous energy
in the resumption Of trade that was
completely annihilated by the war.
I'D NJ cfot
healthy and encouraging growth in
these imports month by month. The
exports from January through Sep
TENDER of this year average $31, 49O,-
855 per month, almost equivalent in
value to the total exports for the nine
~
A careful study Of these statistics, by
a persistent and brave eff
Be1pium's fort is being made by
Belgium to restock ex-
1Ao1'o' hausted stores with the
least financial outlay. as is indicated
by tho absence Of Injuries.
They show also q desire to utilize
Belgian labor 80 far as possible, and
imports OF finished manufactures
whenever raw materials or semi
manufactured products could be SUBJ
stituted. 1t is interesting to note that
Of $68,007,000 expended for bread
stuffs in the nine-month period. $47.-
$4,000 was for wheat, but only
$1.313,000 for wheat flour; 100000
for rye. but only $S57.O0O for rye
-four; $1.607.000 for corn, but only
100000 for corn meal and corn -four:
$2,274,000 for barley, but only $685.
900 for barley -four.
Huge quantities Of raw materials
were also shipped in proportion to the
manufactures therefrom during the
same period-$19,925,000 worth of
cotton and cotton linters, or more than
double the value of all cotton manu-
features; cattle hides and patent, sole
and upper feathers far exceeding in
value the boots and shoes and other
manufactures Of leather, and ship
ments of manufactured tobacco.
both domestic and foreign, of much
greater value than the exports Of
cigarettes, cigars and smoking to-
bacco.
The rehabilitation Of Belgian homes
is foreshadowed in the export of ST.
100000 worth of house
Household hold and personal eff
rr4 fects, cattle and horses
"ee''' valued at $4,000 and
$1.215,000 worth Of lumber: and the
revival of Belgian industries by the
shipments Of iron and steel products
valued at $9.524.00o, electrical ma
chinery and appliances valued at
$6S4.000; binder Irvine, $3S7.00o: re-
fined copper worth $sos,o0o, aluminium
manufactures worth $2ss.ooo. zinc
spelter. $4,000: hops: $s1.soo. and
malt, $2,7s2.ooo.
Conspicuous among iron and steel
products are lathes and other ma
chino tools and Woodworking ma
chinery, railway track material, with
considerable amounts of bars and
rods. steel sheets, wrought iron pipes.
Besides the exports OF railway ma
tertals. Belgian transportation will be
assisted by several million dollars
worth OF motor trucks and automo.
biles shipped in the last nine months.
Shipments Of cocoa and chocolate
amounting to $2.13b.ooo were made to
Belgium during the hrst half Of the
| current year. and greatly Increased
| exports continued during July, Au-
gust and September. tho returns FOR
the nino.month period aggre1atin1