Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-08-23
Merchandise Exports
In July Reduced
By Blockade
Decline Is Moderate
Because of Rise in
British Trade

BY the Associated Press.
The blockade of France and the
Mediterranean Sea cut slightly into
United States merchandise exports
in July.
Noting that July exports fell to
S3l7,000000 from S350,000,000 in
June. the Commerce Department
said the loss would have been
heavier except that the practical
elimination of exports to France,
which amounted to S47.000000 in
June, was partly compensated in
July by increased shipments to the
United Kingdom
Detailed figures on the geograph-
ical distribution of July shipments,
however. will not be available for
several days.
Merchandise imports into the
United States on the other hand.
rose from 100000 in June to
1922 100000 in July.
This gain was attributed by the
department to expanded require
mentS for foreign crude materials
growing out of the significantly
higher current level of domestic
industrial production and to some
extent also the building up of
stocks"
For the first seven months of 1910,
exports totaled s2,384 $50 900 and
imports 81 526019G00, or an export
excess of S358570 900 In the similar
period last year, exports amounted
to Sl,645 .642,0 900, imports 81 1853 $780,
600. and the export excess 1882, 274,-
0O0
Blockade Extended.
Extension of the British blockade
after the Italian entrance into the
war and the surrender of France
was reflected, the department said,
in decreased exports during July of
firearms. ammunition, non-ferrouS
metals, airplanes, machinery, auto
mobiles, gasoline, explosives and
lubricating oil.
The statement made no predic-
ton of how these trends might be
affected in the future by action of
the British in taking over former
French contracts in this country.
Up to the time of its surrender,
France was the principal destina-
ton OF airplanes bought here joint
ly by the Allies. Aircraft ship
ments fell from S28 100000 in June
to about S23000,000 in July.
A few exports items increased,
including copper, wood pulp, corn,
lard and dairy products.
After tagging badly for many
months, corn shipments jumped to
6,670000 bushels in July.
The gain in imports was CEN
tered mostly in rubber, silk and
uncut diamonds.
The diamond influx was attribu-
table TO the war. Formerly, dia-
monds mined in Africa, for in
stance, usually were shipped to
Belgium and Holland for cutting
and marketing, but since Germany
invaded those countries many of
the stones are coming to this cOun-
try. July imports of rough dla-
monds amounted to 1884 carats,
or 10 times the normal amount.
Comparisons Given.
Comparisons for agricultural COM
modities, giving in order figures for
July, 1899; July, 1910; the first seven
months of 1899 and the first seven
months of 1910, follow:
Imports of manufactured cotton
pounds: Io.424,0o0, 12,l96o0O, 5s,722,-
GOO, 01S9 900.
Exports of manufactured cotton
pounds: IS, 81 900 14,34l. 900, ST.
1000, 112G S65,00o.
Exports of wheat bushels: 3019000,
1.S16OO0, 81 1872 900, 103l0,000.
Imports Of wheat for milling and re-
export bushels: l,036O00. $4,000, g.
465.OO0. 5.43I 900.
Exports of corn bushels: 562 900, g.
$4,000 11.339 600, 26,265,000.
Exports of manufactured tobacco
pounds: l5.940000, 1888, 900, 1872
1000, 172.G7l 900.