Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-11-04
Foreign BUSINESS
TRENDS IMPROVED
AdvlceS to Commerce De-
partment Show Better
Trade Abroad.

Business indicators in some parts OF
the world. which have been depressed
for months. today showed improved
trends, according to cabled reports re-
ceived by the Department of Commerce.
The general trend of the markets and
sentiment in Great Britain was reports
ed stronger with the abandonment OF
the gold standard given as the cause.
Coal, textile and automobile trades are
leaders in the uptrend movement, the
department said
British advices also pointed out that
unemployment though still much
higher than last year, has recently de-
clined
The departments statement on the
weeks development brings out the fol-
lowing. additional facts:
Several indications of better busi-
ness have appeared in Italy including
the continued stability of Ira exchange.
the unusually small adverse trade ball
ance, the general feeling that govern
ment programs will provide adequate
relief for unemployment which has re-
Gently been increasing. and the favor
able reaction to the increase OF Is per
cent In ad valorem duties: foreign trade
during September recorded an export
balance which is extremely unusual In
Italian commerce.
Egyptian exports increased during
August as compared with the previous
year, while imports declined, resulting
In a sharply improved trade balance:
the balance for eight months is also
much better than for the corresponding
period last year
Although Jugoslavia continues TO be
less affected by the depression than
many other countries, recent develop
ments have been adverse with agricul-
tural purchasing power declining. for
eign trade slack and q budget deficit
probable.
The situation in the Irish Free state
Is unsatisfactory without prospect OF
immediate improvement. The uncer-
tain exchange situation reduced South
African business during october, with
gold mining practically the only -four
ishing industry; the wool market has
been upset by exchange developments,
interest in mohalr has subsidized and the
ostrich feather market shows a further
decline.
Further seasonal improvement has
occurred in Quebec. British Columbia
and the Prairie Provinces of Canada,
and the steady rise In grain prices has
created more optimistic tone in the
latter, industries are still quiet in On
tario with general buying slow.
Sentiment in the interior Of Argen-
tina has improved as result Of higher
cereal prices and better exchange con-
ditions. but imports and distribution In
Buenos Aires continue slow. Funda-
mental conditions in Chile have been
strengthened by the continued favor
able trade balance, but industrial ac-
tivity is slow, the credit position re-
| mains strained, and retail trade con-
tinues inactive. Business has failed to
gain in Bolivia and the financial sitia-
ton remains complicated. Merchandise
OF many kinds is moving better In Mex
| leo, but the industrial position remains
weak. Serious depression persists in
| the Dominican Republic without def
| mite prospects of improvement.
Although the commercial outlook Of
| China is clouded by political uncer-
tainties activity is fair In the Shang-
hal and Hankow regions and trading is
| satisfactory in South China, while flood
conditions are now rapidly improving.
Philippine export markets are slightly
] firmer but import merchandise contin-
ues to move slowly. Wheat and wool
markets are maintained firm in AUS
tralia and security prices have Inn
| proved"