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

VVAXlvU Ill
!$4,6s7.000. In June alone there was
2, 100000 pounds Of domestic green
coffee. valued at $35s.000. shipped to
Belgium.
There has been a steady dow of
vast quantities Of domestic sugar,
meats and dairy prod
Carpoes of ucts, animal and vege-
table oils to Belgium.
EoouStuAs. the total figures being
surprisingly large. considering the
many obstacles to be overcome in the
restoration Of commerce.; for example.
of the total fixed and expressed vege-
table oils. valued at $s,70s,000, export
ed to that country up to September
80. the biggest single item Is for co,
coanut oil, 16,452,000 pounds, valued
at s3,SS9,O0O.
Other articles that have found a
ready market in Belgium are black
ing and polishes, buttons, salts OF
soda, corn strip, 1ubricating grease
and soap stock, feedstuffs such as cot
tonseed cake, linseed or faxseed cake.
and oil cake meals, boots and shoes,
refined paraffin. toilet and other soaps.
surgical appliances, various manufac-
lures Of wood, wool dress goods and
wearing apparel. In recent months,
since the first and strongest demand
for food stuffs has been partially sat
isfied, there seems to be a growing
market for American cotton manufac-
tures-duck and other cotton cloths,
thread, hosiery, knit goods and wear
ing apparel; tobacco and other manu-
features, and iron and steel products,
particularly machinery.
Unusually heavy exports OF foreign
merchandise from the United States
to Belgium occurred during 1919. re-
turns from February to June aggre-
eating more than seven million Of the
nine million dollars worth shipped up
to the end Of September. The princi-
pal articles constituting these re-ex-
ports are tobacco, coffee, tea, cocoa,
cattle hides. spices, beans and lentils
and dried peas, with occasional ship
ments Of soya-bean oil, ixtle fiber,
cleaned rice, fresh beef and dried
eggs.
The study of these re-exports is
very interesting for the trade projec-
tors. and shows the
United States as natural growth of
Intermediary. With the exception s9aee
of rice, tobacco and spices these re-
exports to Belgium are chiefly of
Latin American origin. So that be-
sides being favored direct trader,
the United States is also coming into
notable prominence as an interme-
diary for the surplus of other nations
in reaching the world markets. The
tobacco comes from the Dutch East
coffee is from Central America and
the beans principally from Argentina
and Brazil. New York serves as the
distributing center and is the princi-
pal port for re-exportation.
1t should be distinctly understood
that the export statistics quoted do
not include the extensive purchases of
American expeditionary force supplies
in France. consisting mainly of food
stuffs. clothing and machine tools ag-
gregating many millions of dollars.
made by Belgium since January 1
through the United States liquidation
commission.
The latest available Belgian Official
figures show total imports into that
country OF $426,52s.s34 for
Immense the seven months ended
with July. Declared ex-
"PoA ''' ports from the United
States to Belgium for the same Pc
Rod were $3lo,ss7.os1. These figures
show that Belgium has given this
country more than Sc per cent of it's
total import trade. Notwithstanding
the disadvantages of geographical To-
cation as compared with European
countries.
Following the armistice Belgium be-
gan to restock by placing in America
orders for enormous quantities of
foodstuffs, cotton, lubricants, leather.
etc, the stream of these exports go
ing chiefly by way of Rotterdam for
transshipment. Direct trade with Bel
gan ports ,s,o was frst resumed in De-
cember, 1913. when 1000 tons cleared
At the end of the first quarter in 1918
a total tonnage of 41,700 had entered
and 1914 tons cleared in the trade
with Belgium. By the end of Septem-
Der the total tonnage in the CARRYING
trade with Belgium was increased to
592,474 tons entered and S31,96S tons
cleared-the figures for the last two
quarters alone exceeding the totals
for the calendar year 1914Hbefore the
war. About 20 per cent of the incom.
ing and % per cent of the OUTCOME
vessels were under the American
flag.
-
There is variety Of light American
machinery that can be handled to ad-
vantage through care
American fully selected French
r..h;,.. agents; some Of these
macnlnes' are large mill supply
houses carrying stock. American
woodworking machinery is in de-.
mand. principally those for making
interior finish and furniture.
Projects for building flour mills in
mand. the United States bureau of
foreign and domestic commerce ia adj
vised. for necessary machinery be-
yond what can be supplied in Europe.
France. Switzerland and Germany,
however, are active in this line. Mar
seille, the worlds greatest oil mill
center. is greatly interested to know
more about the excellent oil machin-
cry made in America. Extensive
Rpnns aevsl9pments on the
any time. These and other opportuni-
ties are so closely affiliated with the
question of credits and financial pol
icy that they cannot be appreciated
at first glance. The American BUSH
ness interests should remember that
while many Frenchmen whose in.
dustrfal rehabilitation is so closely
linked in with that Of Belgium, and
which is looking for preferential help
from the United States, speak and
read English they prefer to transact
business in the French language.
The Importance of proper packing
of shipments to Belgium is empha-
sized by Vice Consul Charles w.
Drew. jr.. stationed in Brussels Mer-