Mohave County miner and our mineral wealth., 1920-11-20
BRITISH CONCERNED
 0VERS|LVER SHORTAGE

The British Government is again seeking to conserve its silver and gold supplies. A bill has been introduced in Pariment to control gold and sil- yer coin and bullion and to prohibit { the melting or improper use of gold and silver coin. The complete text of this bill has not reached this coun- try so far but it is described as more , severe than the war-period measures of Great Britain, especially in at tempting to protect silver coinage. The constant absorption of silver in this country and indicated decrease in Mexico exports is undoubtedly having a pronounced effect on the artificial prices quoted on foreign origin silver in London. For the last 15 days of October Mexican silver exports de- clined sharply. The Mexican Govern ment is using 1,500,0O0 ozs, of coin age and is paying around 3% cents above the New York-London prices, It is also reported that Mexico Is to double the present amount of silver coinage.
 From Jan. to Oct. 20, 1920, Mexico has shipped $46, 749, ,669 silver into this country. Its silver (production last year was about 62,500,00O ounces.
 Total purchases under the Pittman order of silver produced in this coun- try, May IT to Nov. 10, amount to 22,3O6,231 ozs. Other agencies report these purchases as 17,54S,107 and 21,- 231 ,507 ozs. but our figures have been verified through the Acting Director of the Mint. Total domestic silver still to be purchased under the Pitt man order, less 3,000,000 ozs. already used for coinage, is 1S4, 4,693,767 ozs. Production in this country this year is estimated at 50,000,000 ozs. The European banks continue to report gains in silver reserves. For the week ended Nov. 3 total silver held was f46,253 ,OOO in the previous week and f46,242, 700 four weeks ago.
 Total silver production in 1919 was around 175,000,000 ozs., of which 55,- 000,000 was by this country and 62,- 5O0,0O0 by Mexico. Estimated world output this year is around 160,000,000 ozs. Estimated ordinary consumption is more than 300,000,000 ozs. Trade settlements due Far Eastern coun- tries, mostly in silver payments, are exceptionally large. Trade balance due these countries at the end of Sep tember is more than $410,000, ,000 com pared with $115,0O0,00O for the same period last year.
 For the latest 10-day period report ed by the Federal Reserve Board ex ports of silver were $2,S69, ,023 and i'm ports $1,617,79S. Of the exports China, Hong Kong and Japan received $2,576,1S3. Japan is new and i'm portant element in the foreign sill yer market. It has purchased $2,- OS0,249 in the last three months. It is also buying large amounts of gold and silver from India. Total silver exports from this country to Oct. 20 are $02,997 ,494 and imports $76,S2S,- 936.
 Increased trade activity is notice able in India. The discount bank rate has been advanced from to 6 per cent at Bombay and Bengal. A boycott against the sterling value of the rupee still exists. The rupee ex- change rate in this country is high CT.
 Silver stocks at Shanghai remain Comparatively small, at 32,70O,0O0 taels, $27,900,00O and $50 bars. Chin csc export and import trade is likely to remain at nominal levels until sl- yer prices advance.
 MONTANA COPPER COMPANIES