Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-11-26
BRITISH TEXTILES
SHOW Strong GAIN
Slump In Pound and Chinese
Boycott Against Japan
Seen Causes.
~ the Associated Press.

~ the Associated Press.
LONDON, November 26.-Great Brit
aims textile industry, which buys con-
siderable share Of Americas cotton, is
showing strong squirt, chiefly due to
the slump in the pound and the Chinese
boycott against japanese goods. but 1t
stands alone among European nations.
Germany is the only other nation in
any way keeping pace with Lancashire's
busy looms, and while the German in
dustry is showing distinct revival, 1t
IS finding the devalued British pound a
tough competitor.
France, Czechosloyakia and Switzer-
land all are in trouble. All branches Of
the French industry have been hit by
the renewed activity in England, reports
from Lille, AlScae and Lyon to the
ministry Of commerce show. Plants
have closed down, others gone on q
part-time basis. The reasons advanced
are the lower value Of the pound and
tariffs.
Wholesale Prices Drop.
wholesale prices of textiles have fall
en-. A recent survey of 10 articles shows
that, based on 1918, the index figure for
October was 377, whereas it was 4o3 for
August.
Swiss silk and cotton industries are
working on part-time basis, with a
number of mills closed down, Unem-
ploynent has increased IL per cent in
recent weeks, and manufacturers have
noted tendency of the Swiss them
selves to buy German made goods as a
result of the price differences. The
Swiss manufacturers feel they are $50
lated by high wages.
In Czechoslovakia, especially in the
Eilesia, Bohemia and Moravia indus
tries, the worst slump within memory is
running its course. Cotton, tute and
linen manufacturers are especially. hit,
while woolens and silk are perhaps
slightly less desperate.
Ru1nania, which has q small home
production, concluded q trade agree
ment with Germany recently, and the
present stagnation will be somewhat
lifted by it, it is hoped.
There still is idle capacity in the
British industry and the buying has
been selectiye, particularly of goods and
yarns intended for China. There has
been, curiously, a demand for yarn
which has not been made since 1880.
Affects Other Industries.
Yarns are selling double and treble
che maximum daily production because
ia 1dI d1kEdQs anu Tile LII GdtoEO
activity has been reflected not only in
the spinning industry, but in all Of the
allied industries such as packing, dye
ang, transportation and SO on.
So far it is impossible to determine
che extent and duration of this recovery.
Eorne Of it is seasonal and much of it
may be lost If Lancashire's chief East
ern competitor, Japan, leaves the gold
standard and settles its difficulties with
China.
How much China has figured in Ian
cashire's boom can be told from the Oc-
tober figures, although it is still early
for reliable statistics. In October, 1881,
England exported 3,686,200 square yards
TO China as against 608.200 in 1880,
and 2,140,0O0 to Hongkong, as against
S12,500 last year.
Total exports to all countries were
143,060,1 100 square yards. This was an
increase of 34.600,000 over September,
but 100000 under last October.
All this has an effect upon American
cotton. While imports are slightly
down, American cotton has been NOV
ing out Of the warehouses where it has
been held since last year In the Is
weeks up to November / there were
306,366 bales of American cotton moved
TO spinners, against $4,000 last year.