November. 1, 1914. 



THE INDIA RUBBER WORLD 



95 



Trans-Atlantic Notes. 



[The Rubber Industry's Remarkable Immunity from War Influences.] 



WHEN the war broke out the rubber plantation industry 

 of the Middle East was faced with a very difficult situa- 

 tion. Shipping and finance were the chief problems. 

 It was impossible for a time to remit funds for the upkeep of 

 estates, whilst the raising of freights and insurance risks em- 

 phasized the trouble. These difficulties were, however, soon over- 

 come. In the Malay States the Government promptly broached 

 a scheme for financing estates temporarily embarrassed, offer- 

 ing to advance 30 cents (Straits currency, equal to 16.8 cents in 

 United States currency; 100 cents = 2s. 4d.) per pound against 

 rubber crops and, in the case of estates not yet producing, 

 to furnish loans on the security of title deeds. As regards ship- 

 ping facilities, too, insurance rates quickly fell away as soon as 

 practical British control of the trade route became apparent, 

 so that in a comparatively short time practically normal condi- 

 tions were resumed in the plantation industry. Supplies have 

 been coming forward much as before, and the price of the 

 product lias continued to maintain a steady level. A number 

 of British merchantmen have been sunk by the Germans in 

 Eastern waters, but although something like seven million pounds 

 of tea have gone to the bottom, no ships containing rubber in 

 that region have yet been attacked. In the North Sea, how- 

 ever, one steamer conveying something like two hundred tons 

 of rubber to Russia was mined and sunk, but that is the sum 

 total of the commodity lost up to the middle of October. Con- 

 sidering Russia's pre-occupation with war that country main- 

 tained its import of rubber during September far better than 

 other Continental countries. But all shipments have to be sent 

 via Archangel, and as this port will shortly be closed by the ice, 

 Russia will presumably be unable to obtain further supplies for 

 some considerable time. 



STATISTICAL POSITION IN RUBBER. 

 In view of the chaotic state of affairs now ruling in com- 

 mercial and industrial circles, the Board of Trade figures, show- 

 ing the movement of rubber to and from the United Kingdom 

 during the month of September, are of exceptional interest. 

 They indicate that the rubber industry has suffered far less than 

 most through the outbreak of war. As Germany is now entirely 

 cut off, the exports for the month naturally show a shrinkage, 

 but, as the United States took more than usual, the total reduc- 

 tion is less than might have been expected. Following are the 

 comparative exports from England for the month of September 

 and for the nine months: 



Month ended September 30, 



1912. 1913. 1914. 



To Russia.... centals of 100 lbs. 5,430 5.738 3,329 



To Germany 16,028 14.078 



To France 18.978 7,857 1,053 



To United States 25.991 35,375 51,303 



Other countries 9.147 9.845 6,280 



Totals 75,574 72,893 61,965 



Nine months ended Sept. 30, 



A heavy decline is shown in the quantity taken by France, 

 and the export to other countries has fallen by one-third. As 

 Belgium and Austria, both at war, are included under this head, 

 the falling off might well have been greater. 



Although the imports of rubber into the United Kingdom dur- 

 ing September do not show anything sensational, a very pro- 

 nounced shrinkage of all wild rubbers is to be noted. Whether 

 this is entirely due to decreased production in the centers of 

 supply is open to question, but in Africa, if not in South America, 

 it is certain that production has been greatly curtailed. Follow- 

 ing arc the comparative import figures for September, also in 

 centals of one hundred pounds: 



Month ended September 30, 



1912. 1913. 1914. 



To Russia.... centals of 100 lbs. 56,383 106,644 96.309 



To Germany 143,849 171.579 158,428 



To France 88,214 79.325 98,304 



To United States 237,881 286,670 386.576 



Other countries 68,649 93,698 96,087 



Totals 594,976 737,916 835,704 



1912. 1913. 1914. 



From French West Africa 1,699 1.047 108 



From Peru 3,203 2,555 277 



From Brazil 22,747 14,444 11,484 



From Gold Coast 606 427 169 



From Straits Settlements 20,217 35,360 37.304 



From Federated Malay States.. 13,051 22,719 15,734 



From Ceylon 9.025 15.619 24,877 



From other countries 25,359 38,832 22,360 



Totals 95,907 131,003 1 12,313 



RUBBER DECLARED CONTRABAND. 

 At the beginning of September it became evident in London 

 that Germany was endeavoring to obtain fresh supplies of rub- 

 ber from England through Holland. Telegraphic orders were 

 received from Amsterdam, but signed by well-known German 

 manufacturers. At that time there was nothing to prevent the 

 despatch of rubber to Holland, but rather than supply the enemy 

 and contrary to their own interests, importers laid the facts be- 

 fore the Government, with the result that rubber was promptly 

 declared conditional contraband. What effect this will have upon 

 statistics remains to be seen. For the time being the consump- 

 tion of rubber must depend mainly upon the demand in this 

 country and in the United States and Canada. 



THE TRADE WAR. 



As your readers are doubtless aware, war to the knife is be- 

 ing waged in England against German trade. The Press is not 

 merely hunting up German firms established here, but is search- 

 ing the lists of shareholders of all companies filed at Somerset 

 House to find the extent to which German capital is employed 

 in various undertakings in England. The campaign is a very 

 bitter one, the significance of which may not be fully appreciated 

 in a neutral country. But it is realized here that such economic 

 pressure as we may bring to bear upon Germany will possibly 

 be a more potent factor in terminating the war than the military 

 operations of the Allies in the field. 



As a result of the war on German trade many Teutonic firms 

 have been unostentatiously changing their names. It is said that 

 as many as five hundred such changes have been made since 

 August 1. This loophole has, however, just heen effectually 

 closed by an order in council, forbidding an alien enemy to 

 trade under any name other than that used when the war com- 

 menced. As the order is made retrospective, the position of 

 the five hundred is scarcely an enviable one. 



The Dunlop Rubber Co., Ltd., of Birmingham, has been ap- 

 pointed by Royal Warrant manufacturer of motor car tires to His 

 Majesty, The King of Spain. 



