February 1, 1916.] 



THE INDIA RUBBER WORLD 



261 



Crude Rubber During 1915. 



THE criu'e rubber market tor the year 1915 opened in a most 

 unsatisfactory condition, with the British embargo in 

 force and uncertainty existing as to whether the United 

 States would be able to secure its necessary supply. In New 

 York there were small stocks on hand. With prices steady and 

 fewer buyers, the manufacturers kept out of the market for fear 

 that any buying movement would force prices up, and a feeling 

 of hopefulness existed tliat the negotiations to have the embargo 

 lifted would result favorably. 



The year began with First latex crepe selling at 86 to 87 cents 

 and Upriver fine at 75 cents a pound. On January 8 cabled in- 

 formation was received that rubber could be shipped to New 

 York subject to special guarantees, and prices declined from 

 then to the end of the month, when both First latex crepe and 

 Upriver tine were quoted at 60 to 61 cents a pound. The first 

 crude rubber reaching New York after the lifting of the em- 

 bargo was 200 tons that arrived on the "Lusitania" on January 

 23. At the end of the month much rubber was afloat, including 

 2,500 tons from England. 



February opened with demand from manufacturers light, but 

 with plantation rubber arriving regularly and with ample supplies 

 in London to draw on. Shipments from Brazil were also coming 

 in steadily. During March, delayed shipments, partially due to 

 the London dock strike, tended to limit trading, and manufac- 

 turers were not attracted by the low price of Upriver fine, which 

 had dropped to around 58 cents. The general impression pre- 

 vailed that there was plenty of rubber for everybody and no- 

 body seemed anxious to invest. 



In May a lively interest developed and considerable business 

 was done, owing largely to the desire of manufacturers to stock 

 up in anticipation of possible politi- 

 cal disturbances that might result 

 in cutting off the supply. The buy- 

 ing movement, however, soon ceased. 

 Although most rubber being import- 

 ed was sold before it arrived, The 

 Rubber Club of America, Inc., agreed 

 to handle and release such shipments 

 as might arrive unsold and to sign 

 the usual guarantee. 



During June, arrangements were 

 completed by which plantation rub- 

 ber might be shipped to any Atlan- 

 tic port of the United States, con- 

 signed to the British consul, the 

 usual form of guarantee being re- 

 quired and passed upon by the Rub- 

 ber Club. Arrangements were also 

 perfected by which shipments to Pa- 

 cific ports could be consigned to the 

 British consul at San Francisco and 

 cleared in the same manner as those 

 at Atlantic ports. 



Prices had gradually aflvanced, 

 •with the ordinary fluctuations, until 

 July opened with First latex crepe 

 at 63 cents and Upriver fine at 62>4 

 to 63 cents. The market evidenced 

 slowness in New York, but the price 

 reflected the strong position of plan- 

 tation in the London market. Be- ^ , > .. , ^ ,j ^ ■ , ,- 



... . Compiled by the Gould Commercial to.. Sc 



gmmtig w.th August a general , . 59,5. ^^^^,^^ p^^^ _ 



<iownward tendency manifested it- . First Latex CRi>PE -. 



self, due to plentiful supplies and Q,art showing fluctuations in 



unstable conditions of foreign exchange, and on October 1, First 

 latex crcjie was quoted at 59'/2 to 60 cents and Upriver fine at 

 56 to 57 cents a pound. 



The most interesting movement commenced on November 6, 

 when heavy buying in London was reported, and prices began 

 to soar. On November 11 quotations were withdrawn, and on 

 November 23, First latex crepe and prime ribbed sold at 85 

 cents in a strong market and Upriver fine at 76 cents spot. Real 

 buying was done at these advanced prices, which were generally 

 credited with being influenced by the closing of the Suez and 

 Panama canals and the submarine activity in the Mediterranean. 

 During the last week of the month prices weakened considerably. 



December, which will long be remembered for its spectacular 

 rise in prices, opened with First late.x crepe at 75 cents and Up- 

 river fine at 68 cents a pound. Before the month ended, the 

 former advanced 25 cents and the latter 20 cents a pound. With 

 prices steady and a strong market, rapid advance was made when 

 cables brought the news of the sinking of the "Langton Hall" in 

 the Mediterranean with 500 tons of rubber aboard. Encour- 

 aged by heavy buying in London, the upward price movement 

 continued as the month progressed, higher prices being quoted 

 almost daily. The news that two rubber ships had been routed 

 around the Cape instead of by the Suez Canal encouraged the 

 upward movement. 



On the last day of the year the prediction of "dollar rubber" 

 was realized, for First latex crepe sold at that price, and Up- 

 river fine at 87 and 88 cents a pound. The local December 

 market has been characterized as a creation of dealers, but it is 

 understood that manufacturers needed stock and bought at high 



Upriver Fine 



jFiRST Latex Crepe 



ubber for two years^ Spot prices. 



