778

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

October 9, 1914.

TRADE AND THE WAR.

United States and the Coaling of Belligerents—Trade in
Russia — Considerable Fallinq-off in Austrian and
German Coal Production—Sweden and Iron Ore—The
Pit Prop Commission at Work — Action Against
Krupp's—Deck Load Restrictions on Timber Cargoes—
Captures of Nickel Ore for Essen—Russia Prohibits
Coal Exports — The Manufacture of Safety Lamp
Glasses.

The complete detailed regulations governing the status
of armed merchant vessels in American ports and merchant
vessels suspected of carrying supplies to belligerent war-
ships which have been approved by President Wilson are
now accessible. Merchant ships laden with coal or other
supplies for Great Britain, Germany, France, or any of the
belligerents will not be detained by the United States.
Suspicion that a merchant vessel intends to carry fuel or
other supplies to a belligerent warship on the high seas will
cause her detention for further investigation. In explaining
the regulations, the State Department holds that the
essential idea of neutral territory becoming the base for
naval operations by a belligerent is repeated J departure
from such territory of a naval tender of the belligerent, or
by a merchant vessel in belligerent service, which is laden
with fuel or other naval supplies. Under the rules, a
merchant vessel which clears from the United States to the
port of a neutral and there discharges a cargo of naval
supplies should not be detained if on a second voyage it
takes on a cargo of a similar nature. “In such a case,” the
regulations state, “ the port of the other neutral nation
may be a base for the naval operations of a belligerent. If
so, and even if the fact is notorious, this Government is
under no obligations to prevent the shipment of naval
supplies to that port. The duty of preventing an unneutral
act rests entirely upon the neutral state whose territory is
being used as such a base.” The regulations also hold that
if the supplies were shipped directly to an established naval
base in the territory of the belligerent, this Government
would not be obligated by its neutral duty to limit such
shipments or detain or otherwise interfere with the merchant
vessels engaged in that trade. “ A neutral,” the regula-
tions continue, “can only be charged with unneutral
conduct when the supplies, furnished to a belligerent
warship, are furnished directly to it in a port of the neutral
or through naval tenders or merchant vessels acting as
tenders departing from such a port.”

In connection with the scheme which the Board of Trade
have initiated for assisting British manufacturers and
traders to take advantage of the opportunity afforded by
the war for securing trade formerly in the hands of German
and Austrian or Hungarian rivals, further information has
been received in the Board of Trade. H.M. consul-general
at Moscow reports (September 17) that, as regards manu-
factures, it is asserted that the mills and factories in
Moscow are working quite normally, and as long as they
continue to get the necessary raw material, there
is every prospect of their continuing to do so.
A great deal of the success of German manufacturers in
the Russian market has accrued not so much from the
efficiency of the representatives they have had on the spot,
but has been in a very great measure the result of their
own systematic organisation and the way in which they
have tried to meet the whims and fancies of their
customers ; not only that, but the most go-ahead firms
have sent out their catalogues and circulars printed in the
Russian language, giving Russian prices, weights and
measures, and this always gives their offers a better
chance to be considered than those submitted by firms in
England and. elsewhere, who , supply their circulars and
catalogues in a language unintelligible to the purchaser.
The report received from H.M. consul deals more particu-
larly with the methods which have contributed to the
success of German manufacturers of various classes of
textile and other machinery and engineering and electrical
appliances, and mentions among other articles which have
been introduced extensively into Russia by the Germans,
small engines and locomobiles, steam boilers and steam
piping, heating and lighting apparatus, elevators and lifts,
mining machinery, steam turbines and pumps, steam
fittings, &c., steel goods, tool steel, wire ropes, electric
lamps, woven and leather belting, paper makers’ felts and
wires, &c. The full report may be inspected by the
United Kingdom manufacturers and traders at the Com-
mercial Intelligence Branch of the Board of Trade,
73, Basinghall-street, London, E.C.

The Secretary in Charge of Commercial Affairs has
furnished a detailed review of German imports into
Portugal in relation to British, which indicates the lines
on which British firms are most likely to find openings due
to the suspension of German supplies, and also serves to
show the extent of the demand. Articles which seem to
offer opportunities to British trade are cement, electrical
supplies, machinery, pianos, sewing machines, fishing nets,
manufactured leather, porcelain, coloured glass, glass
manufactures, copper, brass and bronze goods, paper,
cordage and cables. The full report and the statistical
tables may be consulted at the Commercial Intelligence
Branch of the Board of Trade, as above.

H.M. Trade Commissioner in Australia reports (August 20)
that there need be no anxiety as to payments of reasonable
obligations contracted by known importers in the Common-
wealth being regularly met. The leading business men
regard the present situation with equanimity. The Federal
Government will support the banks if necessary, by giving
facilities for an extension of the currency. As regards iron
and steel and hardware, it is stated that, in consequence of
a 33| per cent, increase in American freights on heavy
metal manufactures, there is an opportunity for British
manufacturers to extend their trade. H.M. Trade Com-
missioner adds that, if British manufacturers will syste-
matically study the position, he is of opinion that they can
secure a large amount of trade formerly done by Germany.
In this connection it is suggested that new firms wishing to
enter the Australian market should instruct their repre-
sentatives to call at the Trade Commissioner’s Office
(Commerce House, Melbourne), which will be glad to assist
with information and advice.

According to a telegram from Vienna the Austrian
Ministry of Commerce reports that coal production for the
month of August dropped 30 per cent., but this is con-
siderably better than the showing in Germany, the output
of which for the same month decreased by just one-half.

It is reported that a temporary solution has been found
of the particular difficulties affecting Sweden which have
arisen from the declaration of iron ore as contraband of
war. The British Government has decided not to interfere
with the extensive.Swedish export industry in this mineral,
pending a general revision of the whole list of contraband.
The announcement of the inclusion of iron ore in the
contraband list was followed by vigorous protests in the
Swedish Press, and the possibility of meeting the special
interests of Sweden has since been under the consideration
of the Government, with the result stated.

The Spanish “Official Journal” has published a proclama-
tion reimposing the Customs duties on imported coal.

Representatives of the Board of Trade have, it is stated,
already conferred with the Dominion Minister of Trade and
Commerce in regard to the supply from Canada of pit props,
which have hitherto been imported from Russia and Norway.
It has been ascertained that there is abundance of suitable
timber, but the prices here are higher than those previously
paid, and the representatives of the Board of Trade have
now gone to Newfoundland.

The French Government has placed an order for
1| million horseshoes with the Scottish Iron nnd Steel
Company, Coatbridge. One of the works acquired by the
company—that of the Coatbridge Iron Works—held an
exclusive patent for Great Britain for the manufacture of
horseshoes by mechanical means, and at one period did an
enormous business. Competition from Germany proved too
strong, and the making of the shoes had to be stopped two
years ago. These works were entirely stopped. Now that
this order by the French Government has been secured, the
works have been reopened.

The Stockton steamer “Selby,” with over 3,000 tons of coal,
from Shields to Antwerp, has been sunk after striking a
mine in the North Sea.

In the vacation court on the 1st inst. before Mr. Justice
Sankey, mention was made of the case of J. Wild and
Company Limited v. F. Krupp Aktiengesellschaft. Mr.
Henry Terrell, K.C., said he had to ask for the appointment
of a receiver of the assets of Messrs. Krupp in this country.
A writ had been issued by the plaintiffs, who were merchants
dealing in iron, and who had had extensive contracts with
Messrs. Krupp, to recover a considerable sum in respect of
these contracts. Defendants had certain assets in this
country which in part consisted of shares in a company of
the value of =£200,000, and he desired that a receiver might
be appointed to protect these assets on behalf of the
plaintiffs and other British creditors until the action could
be brought to trial. Mr. Justice Sankey said that, in his
opinion, he had no right or jurisdiction to make the order
asked for. The application would therefore be refused, but
leave to appeal would be given.

There are signs that the Baltic season is not to close
without a little more business being done, the war notwith-
standing. Several steamers have lately got through from
Sweden^ and even from Russia, and it is significant that
steamers have just been fixed to carry timber from Finland
to the east coast ports. To facilitate imports, it is
announced that the Board of Trade has extended the period
for deckloads arriving here by 15 days, that is to say, to
November 15, instead of to October 31, which is the usual
date. This will enable extra quantities of wood to be
brought in from Norway, Sweden, and the White Sea,
before the winter deckload restrictions are put into force.

The French Official Gazette has published a modified
decree for the organisation of insurance against naval and
war risks. French shipowners engaged in commerce will
be able to obtain the benefit of insurance guaranteed by
the State, which will apply to the export as well as the
import of cargoes conveyed by vessels flying the French
flag, or those of Allied and neutral countries. The
Departments interested are engaged in trying to obtain
from other Governments reciprocal treatment in favour
of French ships.

The Norwegian sailing ship “Marga,” of Drammen, laden
with nickel ore from New Caledonia, and coming lately
from Pernambuco with this cargo for Krupp’s works at
Essen, has arrived at Christiansand, in Norway. The cargo
is contraband.

Swiss trade journals are protesting vigorously against
the extraprdinary schemes hatched in Germany to maintain
trade with England by way of Switzerland, and especially
against the attempt to have German goods labelled as
Swiss goods.

The second of the “exchange meetings” organised by
the Commercial Intelligence Branch of the Board of Trade
in connection with the campaign for the capture of German
trade were held on Wednesday and Thursday at Wakefield
House, 32, Cheapside, E.C.

The Board of Trade announces that in the trades
compulsorily insured against unemployment — namely,
building, works of construction, engineering, shipbuilding,
vehicle making, &c.—the percentage of unemployment at
October 2 was 5T as compared with 5'4 a week ago and 6’3
a month ago. These figures relate to the whole of the
United Kingdom, and include all unemployed workmen in
the insured trades. As regards the uninsured trades, the
number of men and women on the registers of the Labour
Exchanges at October 2 shows a decrease on the figures a
week ago, being 64,915, as compared with 66,954. For men
alone, the corresponding figures were 29,278 and 30,336, and
for women 35,637 and 36,618.

A statement has been issued summarising the information
received by th,e British Government from the Russian
Government with regard to facilities accorded for the
shipment of certain goods, the exportation of which from
Russia has been prohibited. The prohibited goods include
coal and coke, birch tar (for the manufacture of coal
briquettes), iron ore, naphtha and naphtha waste, benzine,
kerosine, and other illuminating (petroleum) oils and
lubricating (petroleum) oils, wire, capsules, fuses, nitric
acid, and every kind of timber material. The Russian
Government are prepared to authorise, without any
formality, the exportation of these goods in a British or an
allied vessel if the port of destination is a British or allied
port.

British manufacturers and wholesale dealers in china,
earthenware and glass met in London on Wednesday at the
second “ exchange ” meeting organised by the Board of
Trade. The meeting demonstrated clearly the predominance
of German interest in the latter trade, and incidentally
showed how indirectly the coal mining industry of this

country depends on Germany for its underground light. It
appears that at present few, if any, of our British manufac-
turers is capable of producing miners’ safety lamp glass as
required by Home Office regulations. The miners’ lamp
glass is made, in the trade term, of the best flint “metal.”
Hitherto, most of the miners’ lamp glasses passed by the
Home Office have been German or Austrian. In the glass
room generally were many samples which for years have
been made almost exclusively in Germany. Conspicuous
among these, after the miners’ glasses, are articles of
heat-resisting glass [generally, such as test tubes, gauge
glasses, and ordinary lamp glasses.

The Board of Trade are in receipt, through the Foreign
Office, of telegraphic information to the effect that consign-
ments of private cargoes shipped to Archangel are likely,
for some time to come, to suffer considerable delay at that
port. The abnormal demands made on the capacities of
the port in the present crisis are stated to have led to a
grave congestion of traffic.

H.M. Trade Commissioner in New Zealand reports
(August 19) there is a strong prejudice against German
imports, and British manufacturers making prompt
overtures should be able to do good business.

The council of the Sheffield Chamber of Commerce has
expressed the view that there was considerable abuse of,
and non-compliance with, the Act dealing with trading
with the enemy, due largely to the looseness in the terms
of the Proclamations that have been issued, and it has
decided to make representations to the Government in
favour of the Proclamations being made more stringent.
It was urged that by means of branches and agents, and in
other ways, trade that ought to be stopped was being
carried on.

SOUTH WALES INSTITUTE OF
ENGINEERS.

An ordinary general meeting of the South Wales Insti-
tute of Engineers was held at the Royal Jubilee Metal
Exchange, Swansea, on Tuesday, September 29, the
president, Mr. Henry T. Wales, being in the chair.

The Late Lord Merthyr.

The President referred to the death of Baron Merthyr,
who, he said, for half a century was a leading figure in
the South Wales coal trade, not only as representing
large mineral estates, but also as the chief owner of
important collieries, in the management of which he
took a very active part. To the South Wales Institute
of Engineers he was a great and powerful friend. As
far back as 1869 he occupied the presidential chair, and
at various times contributed valuable papers to the
Proceedings, besides being of great assistance in the
establishment of the permanent building of the institute
at Cardiff. In 1895 Lord Merthyr set aside a sum of
money as a fund from which prizes could be awarded
for papers, contributed to the institute on mining and
kindred subjects. They greatly regretted the loss of so
valuable and influential a member of so many years’
standing; and he (the President) moved .that the insti-
tute in general meeting offer to Lord Merthyr’s family
its deep sympathy with them in their loss, and at the
same time express its sincere appreciation of all the
good work he did for the institute during his long and
strenuous life.

Mr. Hugh Bramwell, chief agent of the Great
Western Collieries Company, seconded the motion of
sympathy, which was carried in respectful silence.

Belgian Relief Fund.

The President announced that as the result of a
special appeal to members the sum of £463 had been
sent to the Belgian Relief Fund. He recalled the hos-
pitality which was extended to the institute on the occa-
sion of visits to Liege and Ghent in recent years.

The Coiling of Winding Ropes on the Drum.

Mr. Hugh Bramwell, author of a paper on this sub-
ject, replied to comments passed upon certain points in
it by Mr. A. du Pasquier, Mr. G. W. Westgarth, and
other members, and added that the real object of his
paper was to obtain information as to the angle of safety
and whether it was an economical proceeding, as he
believed it was, to overlap the ropes rather than go to
too wide an angle. He proposed to construct a work-
ing model, when time permitted, as suggested by
Mr. du Pasquier, in order to test and find out how far
it was safe to go in these different directions.

The discussion was closed with a cordial vote of
thanks to Mr. Bramwell.

Observations on Gas Testing.

Mr. John Roberts (Wigan) replied to a previous dis-
cussion upon the paper jointly submitted by Mr. R. M.
Evans and himself setting out practical observations
on gas testing. He said the question whether coal gas
and firedamp gave identical caps had little or no bear-
ing on the main argument of the present paper. For
the authors' purpose, it did not reallymatter whether a
| in. cap represented 2 per cent, or 3 per cent, of coal
gas, so long as the elongations of the normal flame had
been compared with caps and were, therefore, absolutely
independent of the percentages. The point which it was
desired to emphasise was that where gas in a cavity
could be detected by means of a cap on a reduced flame,
it could also be detected by observing the elongations on
a normal flame. He was recently permitted, through
the courtesy of Mr. J. Pet's, manager, to carry out some
tests at the Windsor Colliery. Gas was found in a tim-
bered cavity at a height of about 26 ft. above the rails.
He ascended to a platform about 12 ft. above the floor,
and a lamp of the Chinny type burning with a normal