The New York herald., 1921-04-10

Copyright, 1891, by THE NEW Yosk HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
Paris. April o.
The first step in an attempt TO win
supremacy for French steel in the Euro
pean market through the exploitation OF
Alsace-Lorraine steel properties and iron
and coal mines has just been completed
by French capitalists. This lies in the
consolidation just announced of the three
largest steel companies in France with
all the minor companies they control in
what is for this country the first cx-
ample of an American trust.
The holding company in the new
French steel trust will be the Society
Anonyme Forges ct Acieries du Nord
ct de rEst, whose capitalization is to be
increased from 100000 to $4,000, 900
francs to enable the purchase OF hold
ings in a score of other companies, In
cluding the Society Forges Acieries
Nord ct Lorraine and the Usines Meta
lurgiques de la Basse Loire, as well as
some of the biggest Lorraine mine and
mill holdings, and properties in North
and Eastern Fra ~ thereby linking the
former German '..ustries in Lorraine
with the French northern steel COM
panies
Not only win the new company reprt-
sent the largest collection of steel FUR
naces but it will control the ore in these
regions, amounting to 350,000,00o tons,
six large French coal companies and
one in England, as well as coke. cement
and brick companies. rolling mills and
fcundres. thus turning out both raw
and finished products.
The deal has been arranged by the
Bank OF Paris eft Pays Bas. whose pres
ident, NJ Crolct will be the president
of the new company. The company Is
distinct from the Schneider Creusot
Company, which engages principally In
manufactured steel products, while the
new combine will seek to exploit the un-
finished products OF which France, since
the acquisition Of Lorraine. has an ex-
cess annually of 5.0o0,0 900 tons over the
maximum consumption needs.
The step may be epoch making In
French industry, the desire being to
challenge the great German steel indus
tries, not only in Central Europe, but
eventually in Russia and Scandinavian
countries and thus gather the CONNER
cial fruits OF Frances victory.
The idea Is said to have been sug-
gested by American steel makers on re-
cent visits. the consolidation following
almost exactly along the lines or many
of the larger American steel enterprises
Before this trust plan new to France.
was adopted. it is stated. the promoters
and banking interests involved had con-
ferences with Louis Loucheur when he
was Minister OF Industrial Reconstruc-
tion and obtained his approval
The French steel tonnage has in
creased already since the war from
5000. 900 to more than 5000. 900 yearly
the production available for French ex
terror exploitation representing a pos
sible net income TO France OF more than
2,500. 600, 900 francs yearly. In addition
TO controlling the former German mills
in places like Neuenkirchen. Uckange
and Metz the company viii hold exten-
sive shares in Rhincland properties,
especially at Homburg and BeclSinen,
thus already linking the Rhineland to
the French steel industry. 1t also will
control its own shipping facilities In the
port of st. Nazaire and also the richest
mines in the Briey and Lorraine basins.