Evening star., 1935-09-08
.UNEVENTFUL WEEK
MARKS BUSINESS
ACTIVITY ABROAD
London Hits Slow Pace Be.
cause of Anxiety Over
Ethiopian Troubles.
PARIS RETAILERS SHOW
SOME RECOVERY SIGNS
German Coal Shipments Jump on
Increased Italian Orders and
Other Rush Customers.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
NEW YORK, September 7.-Cable'
and wireless dispatches to Business
Week give the following survey OF
business abroad for the week ending
today:
LONDON-"There is no panic In
London, but the British are disturbed
over the Ethiopian troubles and this
anxiety is helping to slow down busi-
ness. Contributing distress factors
are further labor troubles, and pre-
election uncertainties-especially the
worry now that the election will be
delayed by international complica-
tions.
British to Stand Alone.
However devious the course Of the
international discussion of Geneva
concerning Ethiopia, the English have
pretty we'll made up their minds that
they can protect their interests in
the Mediterranean and in Africa
without the support Of France
Nothing will be done to antagonize
France. but neither will the govern
ment bow to the full demands from
the French in order to win their un-
qualified support. Sanctions are moi
likely to be called into force. London
will ultimately deal with Rome, and
Mussolini probably will be placated
with partial fulfilment of his am.
bitions in Africa. All Of these de.
velopments demand further ticklish
negotiations which are bound to be Q
retarding influence on business.
plans for the financing Of small
business with government aid have
run into trouble. Banks refuse tc
accept the prospect Of business as
security for such financial aid as i:
needed, and the government is already
too embarrassed by the prospect ol
greatly increased military expendi.
lures to assume the responsibility fol
supplying funds"
French Business Uneventful.
PARIS.-"Business in France thi,
week was uneventful. Reopening oi
the wheat futures market (Which has
been closed since last December) i.
viewed optimistically. With q cro1
shortage, it is increasingly eviden,
that the current crop and most Of the
surplus are likely to disappear before
the end of the year. Prices are
already firmer. Cement prices have
been reduced 10 per cent in the cam.
paign to reduce the cost Of living, and
the revaluating Of property has helped
to reduce tax costs.
Foreign oil interests were warned
this week that quotas on refined oil
will be cut another 10 per cent In
October. 1t is in keeping with long
time government policy Of develop.
ing q domestic refining industry.
Retail business is showing some
signs Of recovery. A recent survey OF
the principal Paris department stores
shows that prices have been cut from
IL per cent to Is per cent In most OF
them, but up to rs per cent in a few
Most stores. but not all. have been
able to compensate for these cuts BY
increased sales
Germany Indirectly Concerned.
BERLIN.-"Though Germanys re.
actions to any struggle which may de-
velop out of the talo-Ethiopian con-
troversy are an important force be-
hind the decisions which are being
made in Geneva and various capitals
this week, Germany is only indirectly
concerned so far. Coal shipments
have jumped on increased Italian or
ders and rush of other customers In
the storm area to lay in supplies; and
Germany in getting rid of lot Of old
ships to Italian scrap yards, and Of a
Continued on Second Page.)