Evening star., 1936-03-01
BRITAIN CHEERED
AS TRADE MOUNTS,
ACTIVE
Franc Believed Safe With
First Payment Made
Under Credit Plan.
INDUSTRY ENCOURAGED
BY THR0NGs AT FAIR
Decision Against Mourning for
Ascot Races Spurs Dress
and Garment Lines.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
NEW YORK, February 29.-Cables
and wireless dispatches to Business
Week give the following survey of
business abroad for the week ending
today:
LONDON.-''Britain has paid the
first installment of the credit to
France without upsetting the foreign
exchanges and is ready to believe
now. with Paris, that the franc is safe
until after the French general elec-
tions.
This news relieves business Of some
immediate anxieties. In addition,
stock exchanges are unusually active,
with aviation and armament shares
the favorites with most of the buying
public. Industry is encouraged by
record attendance at both sections
Of the British Industries Fair IN Lon
don and Birmingham and with the
volume Of orders well ahead of last
year.
Retail Trade Receivers.
: "Retail trade has already recov-
cred from the slight relapse at the
time of the royal funeral. Self
ridges one of London's largest de-
partment stores. is reporting profit
of f415,O00, which is the best record
in five years.
cat the request Of the new King,
there will be no signs of mourning
at the Ascot races This is one Of
England's smartest society events and
because the royal family has always
attended 1t was expected that the
races would be a somber affair this
year. The announcement has already
stimulated the dress and garment
makers trade.
I'm addition. it is rumored in Lon
don now that the coronation of Ed
ward VIII will take place late this
year. with the new King later at
tending the Durbar in India. Both
events will stimulate business"
Soviet Pact Pushed.
PARIS.-"Highnght of the week is
the continuing negotiations with the
Soviet Union for a pact which will
assure Moscow Of French support In
case Russia is attacked by Germany.
1t is expected now that the pact will
be ratified by Paris this week. It is
aimed not at the encirclement of Ger.
many but to give Russia some assur.
ance Of assistance If attacked in Eu-
rope while she may be engaged in a
conflict on her Pacific borders.
Parliament Is expected now to
wind up its present session by March
13. The date for the general elec-
ton has not yet been set.
Agricultural prices are extreme
ly firm. Wheat prices are more than
double the low figure of last Summer
and wineis so per cent above the low.
THE Chamber has voted bill Civ
ing the cabinet full powers to alter
tariff rates by decree for the next u
months. This should speed up trade
negotiations with many countries. :"
Germany is Worried.
BERLIN THE prospect that
France will conclude the Franco-Soviet
pact this week and the new move by
Czechoslovakia to build up an eco
nomic bloc among the states in the
Danube Valley which would be apt
to check German business expan-
sion in this region overshadow Ger
many's worries over domestic busi-
ness.
There Is no encouragement in
the prospect of an alliance with italy.
With Italian finances in condition
only a little less strained than the
German and Mussolinis personal po-
sition greatly weakened at home, Ber-
lin would have little to gain from
such a pact"