The Washington herald., 1920-04-05

financial commission has been con-
ferring with a group of Swedish and
Danish hnanciers. The Bank of
Copenhagen intends to open
branches at Riga, Libau and other
Baltic cities. A French ship which
arrived in Riga recently with soap,
perfumery. shoes, preserved foods,
spices, linen, etc, found an imme-
diate market at remunerative prices.
The Latvian foreign once has
issued regulations in regard to ap-
pointing commercial representatives
of foreign concerns in Latvia- 1t Is
required that mandates issued by
foreign firms to their representa-
tives to- trade in that country must
be certified by a notary In their
home country and the official char
acter of the notary certified by the
legation of Latvia. This regula-
tion applies from April 1 and man
dates not in conformity Herewith
VIII not be recognized.
An information division has been
established in the Latvian ministry
or commerce to assist foreign busi-
ness men and promote the exchange
of merchandise with Latvia. In
this division an exhibition of sam
pies OF foreign goods 10 to be
opened. Foreign firms are request
ed to send their samples with state
ments. prices and terms direct to
the Ministry of Commerce. Riga
Latvia.
The Lithuanian import trade IL
at present almost exclusively in
German hands. Most manufactured
goods are imported by German mer-
chants who are able to sell at rela-
lively cheap prices on account of
the low rate Of German exchange.
The market for cutlery. watches,
pottery, stationery, optical instru-
ments. Photographic goods. etc, is
excellent.
In q recent interview. the Polish
prime minister, Leopold Skulski,
spoke skeptically of the Polish ex-
pectations regarding a resumption
of commercial relations with Rus
sia, at least for the immediate fu-
ture. I'VE do not believe" he said.
that the resumption of these rela-
tions will at once have a consider
able influence on the improvement
of our economic situation. We
should not have any illusions in
this regard. We will find in Russia
a market which. in an incomparably
higher degree than our own, needs
articles of prime necessity. An ex-
portation of such goods beyond the
limit Of our ability could cause a
dangerous emptying of our own
market. The government will be
obliged to pay great attention to
time to encourage the e5portation of
from Russia Is concerned, we know
that country cannot export the raw
materials IT furnished before the
war. The neglected agricultural
the miserable transpor-
tation conditions and the economic
and administrative chaos in Bolshe-
vik Russia make its ability to ex-
port in the near future appear prob
lematic."
The minister then spoke as fol-
lows concerning Poland's economic
problems. I'VE are suffering at
present from distressing economic
conditions. The war has ruined our
industry and our agriculture, which
has affected our exchange. The
government is making efforts to
stimulate industry and at the same
time to encourage the expectation
such articles as Poland possesses in
superfuity. for instance, wood and
naphtha and, in the near future,
sugar. For these reasons we view
the sinking and the present low
rate of our exchange as a temporary
In order to improve our
financial situation further measures
are, of course. necessary, among
them foreign as well as domestic
loans. The ministry of finance has
already made plans for an internal
loan. from which we expect good
results" Mr.. Skulski said that the
government would soon take steps
for the conversion Of the various
currencies circulating in the coun-
try but will first await an improve
ment in the exchange. Then the
introduction of the stabilized Polish
currency. the Polish gulden C"zloty
polski") will take place.
Portugal.
The new Portuguese import and
export regulations aim to combat
the economic crisis due to the fall
ing of the rate of exchange. The
government is empowered to dou-
BILE the duties and surtaxes on ar
ticles listed in the decree of May 10.
1919, and to extend them to all
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