THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. October 2, 1914 She left Teneriffe on August 3, and her next appear- ance was in attendance upon the “Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse,” when that vessel was sunk off the west coast of Africa by H M.S. “ Highflyer.” She was taken into Kingston, Jamaica, on September 10 by H.M.S. “Vindictive.” The steamer “Baden” sailed from Barry on July 29 for Punta Arenas, and arrived at Pernambuco on August 8. She left that port ostensibly for Valparaiso, and was in company with the cruiser “Dresden” when that vessel sank the steamer “ Holmwood ” on August 26. The steamer “ Arucus” sailed from the Tyne for Las Palmas on July 14, and arrived out on July 23. She also was in company with the “ Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse” when that vessel was sunk. There are other sources of supply to which atten- tion will be directed later, but, before doing so, it is necessary to refer oilce more to the German coaling stations in neutral countries.. The Bhenish-West- phalian Coal Syndicate, as we know, is clever at covering up its traces. Practically the whole of its foreign coaling business is conducted by the Kohlen- handel und Bhederei Gesellschaft, in which the Coal and Coke Syndicates are merged, through its subsidiaries the Deutsches Kohlen Depot and the Frachtcontor Gesellschaft. Other branches that may be named are the Societe Generale Charbonniere, of Antwerp and Brussels, and the Steenkolen-Handels- vereeniging, of Utrecht, Rotterdam and Amsterdam. As we have already stated, the Deutsches Kohlen depots have been established at Algiers, Marseilles, Genoa, Naples, Malta, Port Said, Suez, Colombo, Lisbon, Madeira, Teneriffe, Monte Video, Buenos Ayres, and Bosario. The company are the exclusive suppliers at these ports of all the great German shipping lines, in whose interest they ostensibly were founded, but the needs of the German Navy were ever in the background. The important point is that the bulk of the coal supplied is Welsh, and the Frachtcontor exists for the special purpose of arranging charters from the Welsh ports to the coaling stations. We understand that all the D.K.D. are now closed or “ decayed,” as a British exporter playfully put it to us ; but they do not exhaust the ramifications of the Syndicate. There is Hugo Stinnes with his offices in all our ports, and numerous branches abroad. Mr. Stinnes is an important component in the Kohlenkontor, which is the short title of the Kohlenhandel und Bhederei Gesellschaft, and it was at his Messina station, owned by the Hugo Stinnes Societa Anonima Italiana, that the “ Goeben” and “Breslau” coaled before their dash for the Dardanelles. We do not pretend to trace all the threads that relate to this source, but we learn that there is another firm with a Botterdam address (possibly the Vulcaan Company, who have a depot at Naples) with Mediterranean branches still prosecuting trade. Now, from a purely commercial point of view, these organisations are a dire menace to our trade, if only on. account of the stupid proviso in the “Trading with the Enemy” proclamation that permits dealings with these concerns when they happen to be outside the “ prohibited ” area. From the higher national aspect, they are still more dangerous. At such a time as the present the whole of their energies are devoted to keeping the German navy afloat and well-equipped with fuel. The danger is too palpable to need further reitera- tion. These are not the only means, however, which the German cruisers possess of refilling their bunkers. The “ Emden,” for instance, has captured several colliers, including the “Pontopos” and the “ Buresk,” and she, no doubt, attached the bunkers which she found on board other vessels sunk by her. Again, quantities of American coals were shipped before and after the war for their benefit. Thus at Philadelphia, the North German Lloyd steamship “Brandenburg,” loaded with 10,000 tons of coal, took out clearance papers for Bergen, on August 21. The Hamburg-American steamer “Graecia” cleared from New York on the night of August 27 with 3,000 tons of coal for Cadiz (Spain), and it was rumoured that the coal was destined for the “ Kronprinz Wilhelm,” which itself left New York Harbour on the night of August 3. On August 29 the steamer “ Macedonia,” of the same line, sailed from New Orleans with 5,000 tons of coal, in addition to other large supplies. Although ostensibly destined for Cadiz, it is believed that these supplies were intended for the German cruiser “Dresden.” Where the “ Markomannia, ” which accompanied the “ Emden” on her depredations in the Bay of Bengal, got her coal, it is impossible to say, but the above vessels probably are but a tithe of those chartered for this traffic. We believe that the British Government is now fully alive to these machinations, and it is stated that representations have been made to the United States Government on the subject of the coaling of a German cruiser at sea by American and Norwegian vessels which sailed from New York, nominally for South American ports. As a result it has been discovered that a firm at New York, bearing a distinctly German name, is responsible for the shipment on two vessels of the coal which is believed to be intended for the use of German cruisers. The only thing that makes us suspect the authenticity of this report is the state- ment that the firm enjoyed a “ distinctly German name.” On the other hand, Beuter reports that the authorities at Santiago de Chile have prohibited the sailing of the German steamers “ Seydlitz ” from Valparaiso and “Luxor” from Corofial. Both vessels were laden with coal for German cruisers off the Pacific coast. The message adds that the Chilian Government has given orders for the main- tenance of strict neutrality. Care should be taken, however, to understand the obligations of neutral States in such a matter. The shipment of coal, which may afterwards be used by a belligerent ancipitis usus does not in itself constitute a breach of neutrality. As has been pointed out repeatedly, the shipment of contraband goods is a civil responsibility. In time of war, however, a neutral power may not connive at or condone the shipment of contraband goods, where these are obviously intended for military or naval purposes. During the Franco-German war, the British Govern- ment prohibited dhe export of coal from Cardiff to the French fleet, on the ground that to allow such traffic to continue would virtually mean the conver- sion of the port of Cardiff into a base. Most Governments, again, have a healthy recollection of the “ Alabama ” case. Countries such as Sweden and Norway, which import' all their fuel, can preserve their neutrality most readily by placing an embargo upon export, and the prohibition which Holland has just declared against the exportation of coal, serves the interests of this country in that it prevents the munitioning of the German ships via Botterdam and Ymuiden. But countries, like the United States that export coals greatly in excess of imports, cannot be expected to make so great a sacrifice as to prohibit shipment merely with the object of “ keeping the ropes.” Ail we can ask a friendly power to do is to exercise precautions that its products are not openly being diverted to the use of a belligerent. Prices f.o.b. cash 30 days, less 2| per cent. Steam coals:— Current prices. L'st week’s Last year's Best Black Vein large... 17/ -17/6 Western-valleys, ordin'y! 16/6—17/ Best Eastern-valleys ... Secondary do. Best small coals ...... Secondary do........... Inferior do............ Screenings........... Through coals ....... Best washed nuts..... Other sorts:— Best house coal...... Secondary do. ....... Patent fuel ......... Furnace coke.......v Foundry coke ........ 15/9-16/3 15/ -15/6 7/ - 7/6 6/ - 6/9 5/ - 6/ 7/3- 7/6 11/9-12/ 12/3-13/ 18/ -19/ 16/6-17/6 16/ -16/6 18/ -19/ 21/ -23/ prices. 18/ -18/3 17/ -17/3 16/3-16/6 15/ -15/6 6/ - 6/9 5/6- 5/9 5/3- 5/6 6/6- 6/9 11/9-12/ 12/6-13/ 18/ -19/ 16/6-17/ 18/ -19/ 18/ -19/ 21/ -23/ prices. 16/9-17/ 15/9-16/ 15/6-15/9 15/ -15/3 7/9- 8/ 7/3- 7/6 6/9- 7/ 8/ ' 12/3-12/6 13/9-14/ 18/ -19/ 17/ -18/ 19/ -20/ 20/6-21/ 24/ -26/ IRON. The position of the local iron and steel trades is generally inclined to be easier, and while there is a welcome amount of fresh enquiry in most departments, buyers seem indis- posed to place more business than they actually can help. Bar mills continue fairly well engaged, with official prices unaltered at <£5 5s. per ton, but it is well understood that concessions are easily to be obtained. The rail department is a little busier, with values as last quoted. The pig iron trade is disappointing, showing an easier enquiry and small purchases, with values ruling at 75s. to 76s., usual terms. Iron ore is weaker in sympathy, best rubio being quoted 17s. to 17s. 6d. c.i.f., Newport. In tin-plate there is some irregularity. Outputs are again much above the demand, and stocks have now become so unwieldy as to oppress the market. Present enquiry is not good, but there are reason- ably well founded expectations of better business in this department within the next month. Cardiff. COAL. Since last week the market has been quiet and irregular. This is probably due to the fact that shipments have not been so extensive as they were in the previous week, and stocks, more particularly of ordinary descriptions, have been increasing. Reports to hand show that stoppages have taken place at a number of collieries owing to shortage of wagons, and it is estimated that at the beginning of the week there were 4,000 men idle. This state of affairs relates more particularly to the western portion of the coalfield, and also to Monmouthshire, but in the Rhondda and Aberdare Valleys, work for the most part has been well maintained, and as a fact, at some of the largest collieries there are vacancies for many hundreds of men. Shipments last week are estimated to be just over 320,000 tons, or 80,000 tons below the tonnage of the preceding six days. Of course, these figures are only approximate, as the complete Custom House returns are not now available. From Cardiff the shipments were 212,000 tons, Newport 65,000 tons, Swansea 18,000, and Port Talbot 10,000 tons. Newport was the only port that showed an increase in shipments compared with the corresponding week of last year. How the war is affecting exports to foreign countries and British possessions will be noticed from the following figures. For the eight months of the present year according to the official returns from the Statistical Office of the London Custom House, the exports from the principal Bristol Channel ports amounted to 18,192,679 tons, compared with 19,839,000 tons in the corresponding period of last year, or a falling off of 1,646,321 tons. Small increases are shown in 23 instances, but there are decreases in no fewer than 35 countries, some of the figures running into very large amounts. Chartering last week was again on a small scale, the amount of tonnage taken up being 190,100 tons, or a decrease of 9,050 tons compared with the preceding six days. So far as best Admiralty coals are concerned, the major portion of the output is still being taken by the Admiralty, although in individual cases permission is granted by them to supply outside customers, and more particularly some of the great passenger lines of steamers. Prices are somewhat irregular for best steams ; 22s. has Prices f.o.b. Cardiff (except where otherwise stated). THE WELSH COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, October 1. Monmouthshire, South Wales, Ac. Newport. COAL. The position in the steam coal market is now giving considerable trouble to colliery proprietors. Stocks are exceedingly heavy, shipments this week have been slower than usual and show little sign of improvement, and present enquiry is dull indeed. Under these conditions the market outlook is far from rosy, and while sellers are doing their best to convince themselves and others of an early improve- ment, they are generally found to be very willing to make generous concessions in order to secure prompt clearance of wagons. The want of empty trucks has during the past few days placed many local collieries in great difficuly. The prospects for the current month are not so brisk as usual, seeing that contract enquiries which should now be heavy are conspicuously quiet. Smalls, throughs, nuts and patent fuel are equally as quiet as large coals. House qualities are meeting with a little more enquiry, but as yet very little extra business has been consummated. Pitwood supplies are now relatively much better, and with good wood quoted 21s. to 21s. 6d. ex-ship there is now nothing to complain of. In the freight market a moderate amount of chartering is taking place. Rates for South American ports are easier by influence of the homeward openings there, but for Mediterranean and nearer destinations freights are fully maintained. Steam coals:— Best Admiralty steam coals ................ Superior seconds ..... Ordinary do........... Best bunker smalls ... Best ordinaries....... Cargo qualities....... Inferior smalls ...... Best dry coals ....... Ordinary drys ........ Best washed nuts...... Seconds .............. Best washed peas...... Seconds .............. Dock screenings ...... Monmouthshire— Black Veins ........ Western-valleys .... Eastern-valleys..... Inferior do......... Bituminous coals:— Best house coals (at pit) Second qualities (at pit) No. 3 Rhondda— Bituminous large.... Through-and-through Small .............. No. 2 Rhondda— Large............... Through-and-through Small .............. Best patent fuel ....... Seconds ................ Special foundry coke ... Ordinary do. ........... Furnace coke............ Pitwood (ex-ship) ...... Current prices. L'st week’s prices. Last year’s prices. 21/ -22/ 21/ -22/ 20/ -20/6 20/ -20/6 20/6-21/ 19/ -19/6 17/6-18/ 18/3-18/6 18/3-18/6 7/9- 8/3 7/3- 7/6 10/3-10/6 7/3- 7/6 7/ - 7/3 10/ 5/6- 6/6 5/ - 6/ 7/9- 8/ 4/6- 5/ 4/6- 5/ 6/3- 6/9 18/ -19/ 19/ -19/6 18/ -18/9 16/ -17/ 17/ -17/6 15/6—16/ 15/ 15/ 16/ -16 '6 14/ 14/ 15/ -15/6 13/9 13/6 14/6 12/9-13/ 12/6 13/6 8/6- 9/ 8/ - 8/6 11/9-12/ 17/3-17/6 17/9-18/ 16/9-17/ 16/9-17/3 17/6-17/9 16/3-16/6 16/3-16/6 17/ 15/9-16/ 15/ -15/6 16/ -16/6 15/3-15/6 . 20/ 20/ 20/6 17/6-19/6 17/6-19/6 17/6-18/ 17/6 17/6 16/6-17/ 14/ -14/6 14/6 15/ 10/6 -11/ 10/6 12/3-12/6 14/3 13/9-14/ 12/6-13/' 11/ 10/6-10/9 10/6-11/ 7/ - 7/3 7/ - 7/6 7/6- 7/9 18/ 18/ 22/6 16/ -17/ 16/ -17/ 19/9-20/6 27/ -30/ 27/ -30/ 28/ -30/ 22/ -25/ 22/ -25/ 23/ -26/ 18/ -19/ 18/ -19/ 20/ -21/ 21/ -22/ 26/ -26/6 21/9