New-York tribune., 1920-11-09
British Feeling
u. ;. Competition
In India's Trade
Rivalry Is Likely to Grow i'm
Intensity, Says English
Commissioner: Japan Has
Lost Some of Gains Made

Anne. 4ean competition for the trade
Of India il being severely felt by Brit
lsh trade interests, a report made by
Thomas Ainscough. Senior British
Trade Commissioner for India and
Ceylon, indicates.
The position gained by The United
States in the commerce of India. it is
pointed out. has been largely due to
thc inability Of British producers TO
supply goods during the war. The
same thing applies to the progress
made by Japan; but the important dif-
ference is that while Japaue trade
has fallen away very &C lcraoiN
since II has been possible t. re
goods from the United kineuD4D. De
trade of the United States hes u, i
its greatest gains since the armist..e
and now is second to Great Britain
only.
American success. the report state.
has been due largely to ability to quot
in such important lines as steel and
steel products. while British manu-
facturers have been unable to do SO
because Of the constant rise in tho
price of materials and the succession Of
labor troubles. "But America has been
having her own share Of troubles, =
it is added. Both countries are now
passing through a transitional period
of acute dislocation in industry, and
it viii be some time before the
permanent factors in the competition
emerge
One thing at least is certain, Mr..
Ainscough saws. American compe'i-
ton. particularly N iron, steel, ma
ohineYy, tools, hardware. electrical
supplies and motor Vehicles viii con-
,inue to be severe and m : grow in
intensity. /; Will be, however, he says,
g fair, straiahtforfard rivalry, and the
result viii entirely depend upon the
ability Of British manufacturers AMI
distributors 70 provide equally suitable
goods at lower price. 1t Will be Un-
wise. Mr.. Ainscough concludes' to count
ON any preference being shown for
British goods on sentimental grounds,
although here and there imperial feel
ing may be met with.
Japanese goods, CONSISTING; in the
main OF cheap, showy artd for the
bazaar trade. have replaced the German
and Austrian articles Of similar type,
and are likely to continue to hold the
market, as the cost of production IN
the countries Of Central Europe IS
much higher than in Japan. The entry
of cotton goods from Japan on q con-
siderable scale is regarded as warn
iNC o what the competition "IOH ID ~
isn goods win be when the extensions
20 the textile industry under way IN
q an become operative.
The remarkable progress Of Japan IN
The Indian market has oXperienccd a
severe check in recent months, since
her overseas trade is dislocated as a
resul. Of the domestic economic crisis
following the initiation caused by the
var. There is keen competition, how
ever, Of Japanese merchants, banks and
shipping companies with corresponding
Rritish institutions in India.
As 10 the general situation, it IS
nointed out that .nda possesses raw
materials and uaskilled labor, but
urgently requires directing force and
ability, experience Of modern and SCI
entihc conditions Of industry, and eX-
per. foremen and artisans to train the
available labor. Thes it is stated. can
onlv be provided from overseas And
it would appear continues the report
that unless British lnancicrs and
manufacturers are prepared to seize
the opportunities offering there is a
risk tnat foreign interests may become
+ahlienod IN he cOuutrY.'