New-York tribune., 1920-12-04
u. 5. Ships Share
In Foreign Trade
Slightly Higher
Proportion Of Commerce in
September Above August,
but Volume Of Tonnage
a Shows a Sharp Decrease

Nhilo more foreign than American
shipping is still engaged in the for
eign trade to and from American
ports, the proportion carried in
American bottoms shows a sight in
crease. according to an analysis Of
the returns OF tho Department Of
Commerce made FOR The Tribune.
From Az per cent Of the total in
July, the share Of American ship
ing rose TO 4S.3 per cent in August
end to 4S.5 per cent in September in
April Of this year. however. 545 per
cent Of all the tonnage IN tho foreign
trade with this country was under the
american flag.
Tonnage figures for September show
remarkaable shifts in the proportion
o. trade carried. In the commerce
cage represented nearly halls Of the
total. compared with only third in
the preceding month. Gains were
also made in the trade witu North
America, but losses were recorded in
the commerce with South America,
Europe, Ocearia and Africa
In the trade with other North
American countries entrance and
clearances Of vessels OF the United
II September than in August The
proportion OF this trade repl esentcd
oY American tonnage increased how
ever, from 5o per cent to G21 per
cent. the gain being dGe 10 decline
Of 10000 tons in foreign shipping.
Inc totG! tonnage engaged in COM
merce with South America during Sep
teH5cr was the highest of the year
Tor both American and foreign ship
i;
.he American Fag and 3 600 tons in
foreign bottoms. The gain over
August, however, was considerably
greater in foreign than IN American
e5seis, and the American proportion
OF the total tonnage therefore declined
rom 5s-7 per cent to 55.6 per cent.
In the trade with Europe the Snare Of
American tonnage is less than at any
time this year. In January 30.7 per
cent OF The shipping moven en- wa
represented by American vessels, but
IN April the proportion had risen TO
almost 80 per cent. In the following
month, however, It fell to about 80 per
cent, rose TO 81 per cenc IN June.
dropped % 299 per cent in July. rose
70 3-.5 per cent in August, and fnally
dropped 10 "a per cent in September.
about per cent below the level q.
me beginning Of the year Since Jan
AZ : ~ -4Ac Lt' d.
r1enr TO and from European ports has
advanced from 2,9s9,000 tons 10 4,7s0-
600 tons.
The shift in Asiatic commerce IS
largely explained by the disturbed con
dl.ioHs in Japan and the consequent
eject upon Japanese shipping In Au-
gust only 33.5 per cen5 Of the total
tonnage movement va In American
vessels, but in September the proper
ton rose - AIS per cent. The Ameri-
can total Increased . 600 tons. while
,hat o. foreign shipping decreased
IL 900 tons
Nir.sion Of tonnage between hmeri-
can and foreign shipping during Sep
,ember IN the various trades was as
;o.lows, the figures beng IN nee tons:
American Foreign
North America .... 4zse.00O 2.785.00J
South America - $4,000 229 900
Europe .......... 1877 600 3 $4,000
asa ........--.. 2O4,00O 227 900
pctaria ....-.-... - 600 $4,000
Africa ..-.-.-..- $4,000 900
Total ........-.. e,537,oo0 7787o0
Decline in the volume Of ocean
gat business and the laying up Of
Vessels Tor lack Of cargoea are reflect
I'd in The September returns. Ihe ag-
gregate movement Of American ships
Was 525, 900 tons less than 4 Angus,
while entrances and c.earances e for