Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-22
The Story the Week Has Told

/ asked for is most reasonable with refer.
ence to the aims contemplated.
The economic situation in the Virgin
Islands is not satisfactory, partly be-
cause of declines in the bay rum and
sugar industries, partly because Of the
effect on st. Thomas of its abandon
ment as a port Of call of the big steam
ship companies. Old st. Thomas was
an important coaling station; it has
ceased to be so.
Two destroyers escort the Arizona.
Perhaps little fishing will be enjoyed.
Our February foreign trade showed q
further decline. The total turnover was
$401 ,000. 600, as against 1881 100000 for
February, 1890 February exports totaled
| $4,000 900 in value, the lowest FOR
any month since February, 1922; inn
ports totaled SITS, 100000, the lowest
| for any month since September, 1921.
! Our Department of Commerce issues
an interesting report showing in detail
American lending to foreign countries
! in 1880.
The new normal capital obtained by
| foreign borrowers through publicly Of
fered Issues in the United States" in
| 1890 was $780,, SOC, Gee (the issue price
of the loans being the basis OF the esti-
mate), as against $671 200, 900 in 1929,
and as against totals of $557 GOO, 900 in
1880 and $541, 100000 in 1929 for SINH
| lar issues in Great Britain.
It is, however, Of important note as
| illustrating certain melancholy develop
ments that rs per cent of our total
foreign lending during 1880 was made
during the first six months of the year.
Moreover, 95 per cent of such lendings
in the last quarter consisted Of Cana
dian issues. Our loans for the year to
rsfo toll
as against $l42, 900 900 for 1920, and ir-
GLIDING S167,000,000 to Germany; Sl94,-
100000 went to Latin American cotn-
tries, Argentina getting 100000, 600,
Cuba $31 100000 and Brazil $4,000, 900.
One is delighted to hear that Ar
kansas is we'll on the road to recovery
from the drought, thanks largely TO
seed distributed by the Red Cross and
to expansion of agricultural credit facil-
tiles On April l the Red Cross will
withdraw its relief workers, who at one
time during the Winter fed over $780,
900 persons. 1t is said that, though OF
the 20 States hit hard by the drought,
Arkansas suffered most, she has made
the most substantial recovery. The
Spring gardens flourish gloriously.
X X X x
NOTES.-One may not say that politi-
and vice versa-has become rife in
Germany, but there is quite too much
Of it.
The King and Queen of Siam will
arrive in this country by way of
Canada late in April. They will dine
at the White House and otherwise be
suitably entertained. It is understood
that his majesty is to be operated en-
in New York for cataract of the eye.
We should embrace this opportunity to
show cordial respect to Siam. A good
many Of us are apt to think that
Siam amcng Asian countries is COM
parable to Denmark among European
countries for sensible management,
economic and political.
The report Of that able official, T. v.
Soong, Chinese minister of finance, on
Chinese budgetary operations of the
fiscal year ended June 80 last, Is vague
" optimistic, despite the depreciation
Of silver, despite the embarrassments
incident TO the abolition of likin,
despite the continuance Of the military
burden. Mr.. Soong opines that bud
ketary equilibrium viii be achieved
about the middle Of 1882.