New-York tribune., 1919-04-06


Russia and Turkey
Could Supply German Needs
1t is, Of course, unthinkable that
Germany will be permitted to con-
troll or have any preponderating in
tluence in either Russia or Turkey
when the peace pact is finally
signed; otherwise the millions of
acres of virgin land suitable both
as to climate and soil for cotton
culture in Turkey and the Russian
district Of Turkestan would with
irrigation supply every possible
Teutonic requirement for raw cot
ton throughout an indefinite fut-
ure, both as to quantity and quality.
In these regions both the common
as well as the long staple varieties
can be cultivated, as necessity may
direct.
In this connection it is noteworthy
that Russia increased her cotton
production from roughly 100000
bales in 1912-'13 to almost 1,5OO,-
600 bales in 1876.
That phase of the subject which
for lack of better term is commonly
known as the 'invisible supply"
must also be looked into. 1t is of
great Importance in the situation
between the cotton field and the ulti-
mate consumer of the manufactured
article.
1t falls into two divisions. First,
the stocks of raw cotton in the ware
houses of cotton factories up and
down the world. A fairly accurate
insight of what this usually amounts
to IN the aggregate is obtained from
the record of August 81, 1913, when
spinners operating 129,895, 900 spin
dies reported their mill stocks as
being $4,000 actual bales of all
growths.
Second, and at least equally i'm
pOrtant, though unmeasured. is the
world supply of cotton in the manu-
factured state. When this immense
and widely distributed stock is con-
sidered it is important to remem-
Der that not only may raw cotton
be kept indefinitely without dete-
rloratlng in quality, but when
manufactured into yarns and fab
rlcs it suffers little, if any, impair
ment by being laid by. Therefore,
ordinarily stocks of staple goods of
all kinds are allowed to accumulate
in warehouses, stores and homes.
where they for the most part remain
until strlngency, generally due to
the impulse of exceptionally high
prices, causes these reserves to be
drawn upon. Then for a time the
demand for finished products at
the source of supply-the factory
stagnant.
A concrete illustration of this oc-
Cured few weeks ago, when prices
for both raw cotton and it's manu-
factures took an unprecedented
The worlds housewife had
for some considerable time refused
to buy. Stocks had accumulated.
The manufacturers pocket nerve.
so easily affected, became raw, and
the bottom fell out of prices. Bear
IN mind that other textile fibres are
mostly made up into fabrics of sea-
designs, consequently their
value is so much deprecated the
year after they have been made that
very small stocks of them are car
ried. The merchant buys no more
than he thinks will fill one seasons
need.
With cotton just the opposite
exists. The bulk of it
goes into gray, white and standard
colored cloths, which are in demand
by the consumer year in and year
out. The supply of these fabrics.
into hundreds of millions
IF yards, is scattered IN big and
title mercantile establishments from
China to Peru. The volume is
swelled by other millions of yards
aid away in the closets of house
wives everywhere. These goods
may remain in existence for years.
Until abnormally high prices force
hem into use. Notwithstanding the
Fact that this invisible reservoir is
lot on record statistically, it's in
iuence on supply, demand and val
les IS both a certain and a potent
)ne.
Where the Boil