The Washington herald., 1919-03-27
What World f. BuyInx.

hlAoe Bood Dy exports OF peace
rving commodities.
what world Is Buyinx.
Forecasts of this kind are now
bund to have been inaccurate. In
tead OF falling OF there has been
I'm actual increase in our sales and
hipment of commodities to other
nations.
II This was first observed in De-
Oember and in fact the change be-
san within a few weeks after the
armistice was signed. We sent to
other nations in December manu-
lfactured articles of the money
value OF nearly two hundred and
hirty millions. That was an amaz-
Ping jump when compared with the
money value OF our exports of SINH
lar articles in 1917. In December
koi last year the money value OF our
krports OF manufactured articles
Eas only ninety-two million dol
on the other hand, the export OF
er materials was almost completely
led BY December /. 1t seemed as
the- same stroke OF the pen which
1ected the armistice agreement had
30 Cancelled orders for war ma
rtals. The armistice began and the
BORT of war materials ended at
put the same time.
Immediately there followed an ex-
Ordinary Increase In the sale and
sort OF peace-serving materials. In
4. this increase was 140 per cent
IeNcess Of the value OF manufac-
f. which were exported in Deem
1917.
ae surmise prevails that these man
blurred articles are to be used in
at measure in building up indus
in other countries and in speed
up other industries which have
An able to go to some extent at
ST during the war.
Il il were practicable to mention
full list Of the manufactured ar
les whose export began Immediate
F.after the armistice was signed,
II MOULD be discovered that the list
covered almost every commodity
slch is useful in upbuilding indus
try and removing the evidences of
devastation. One example may serve
tOs' illustrate the character of this
change in our export trade. Other
nations bought and caused to be ship
ped to them nearly 5000 tons of
steel rails. Evidently they are go
ing speedily to work in restoring
their railroad equipment.
. The story of February.
The Washington authorities now re-
port that the short month Of Feb
ruary matched, comparatively speak
ing. the somewhat amazing increase
which characterized our foreign trade
in December and January. Here then
are three months consecutively fol-
hn
satfon OF the export OF war material
which tell a story of increased ex-
ports from the United States, this
increase being made up almost en-
tirely Of articles which are to be used
in Industry. agriculture and the varf-
Gus arts Of peace across the sea.
II seems almost incredible that the
increase in the money value of the
exports in February was nearly $780,
COO. 900 compared with that month In
1918, That is not as great a figure
as was the one which told the money
value of our exports in January But
there were three days less in Feb
ruary than in January. which may
in part account for it.
Speaking from another point of
view. We sent across the sea in Feb
ruaFy 1919. ~ per cent more commodi-
ties than were exported in February,
1918, although in that earlier month
we were exporting large amounts of
war material
Already our exports since July 1,
last, year. are Of the money value OF
"a SIS 000, 900 and that is nearly $500. =
O0Oo0c, stated in terms of money in
excess OF our exports for last year.
Those who have taken heed of these
facts say that il is gratifying to be
able to report that our imports are
Increasing. That will serve in two
ways. 1t enables Us partially to Of
set with imports our exports and il
shows also that We are relying upon
foreign countries for raw materials
thus indicating the expectation that
our Industries are to be speeded IN
II our foreign trade continues rela-
lively to maintain its high figures as
has been the case since the arnnistice
was signed then II is spoken of as
reasonable to surnise that Europe
will continue to buy of US and that
We shall maintain and possibly in
crease our foreign trade. Sometimes
the question is asked how are the other
nations to pay US for the commodi-
ties uhey buy here? But the readers
do. not doubt the ability of the men
of fAancial experience supplemented
by the aid the government will give,
TO find the ways and means by which
the world may borrow of US such
amounts as may be necessary in or
der to cay the manufacturers, the far
ners and others for the commodities
which they buy Of US.
L