J UJI ARY 1, 1915.] 



THE INDIA RUBBER WORLD 



201 



Embargo Notes. 



BEGINNN' I .V i with the first of December came unoflicial 

 assurances from those connected with the State Depart- 

 ment oi 'li< United States that the rubber embargo wuold 

 be lifted shortly. Sir Cecil Spring-Rice, the British Ambassador 

 at Washington, also stated that as soon as a "satisfactory 

 method could be arranged rubber would again be shipped to Am- 

 the arrangement to be in the form of permits issued bj 

 the British government. So far these hopes have been realized 

 The embargo and the difficulties placed in the way of the re- 

 shipment of rubber appear to be quite effective. In October, for 

 example, re-exports amounted to only 551,093 pounds, valued at 

 $295,04(1. In shipping to Sweden, for instance, the English, 

 French and Swedish ambassadors agree to a shipment and then 

 it goes tiji to their consuls in New York for certification— with- 

 out this the ships refuse it. 



A cable to The India Rubber World from The Rubber Grow- 

 ers' Association, London, says : 



"Consider possible shortly obtain permits exemption embargo 

 provided suitable guarantees received from United States." 



The Bank of England called a meeting of bankers, where it 

 was mentioned that America had forbidden the export of gold. 

 The comment of a leading rubber authority in London is that if 

 rubber is to be shipped to New York from Para gold will have 

 to be sent for it. This same authority predicts that America 

 will enforce from neutral countries a bond guaranteeing imports 

 to be for home consumption only. 



The Para rubber factors are naturally much interested over 

 the rubber embargo. As a consequence they look for higher 

 prices, and an offer of two cents advance causes a demand for 

 five. 



It must not be forgotten that England is using more rubber 

 than ever before. Rubber goods formerly made in Germany 

 must be made at home; and German rubber goods were a big 

 factor in England. Of the solid tires fully eighty per cent, were 

 German made. Hard rubber was nearly all of German make. 

 And there was cheap hose, proofing and sundries, in all of which 

 the Germans got their full share. All of this work and more 

 is now being done in English factories. Even "Klingerit" is be- 

 ing put on the market, and one English firm has applied for 

 permission to make the trade mark its own. 



The word has gone forth that English soldiers shall wear rub- 

 ber boots and the footwear factories are preparing to turn out 

 ten thousand pairs of Wellingtons a week. Light rubber surface 

 coats are also recommended both for British and French soldiers. 

 The former wear coats that are cravenetted, and the latter heavy 

 overcoats that soak up water like sponges. 



Add to these requirements tires for 250.000 autos used by the 

 Allies, ground sheet and goods for domestic use, and much rub- 

 ber is required. 



Another reason that the British people are looking out for 

 their own stores of rubber lies in the fact that their shipments 

 have been so large. This in spite of the fact that France. Ger- 

 many and Italy almost stopped importing rubber. Russia, for 

 example, took 2,100 tons in October, 1914, against 423 tons in 

 October, 1913: while the United States took 3,873 tons, against 

 1,453 during the same period. In other words. Great Britain 

 exported about 50 per cent more rubber during the month of 

 October, 1914, than during the same month in 1913. 



Points of interest in the history of the rubber embargo are the 

 story of the English government's knowledge of large quantities 

 of crepe bought in New York, paid for there before shipment 

 and consigned to "a native of Sweden." At the same time came 

 the prohibition by the United States treasury of the disclosure 

 of information concerning export shipments until 30 days after 

 the vessel had cleared. 



English correspondents state that it is still possible for New 

 i "il. to secure what it requires of plantation grades by guaran- 

 teeing that it will be used for home consumption and not re- 

 exported. This is denied by exporters in New York, who have 

 offered to give any sort of a guarantee. They (the British) 

 stati that thi government will probably pass legislation shortly 

 covering licenses to export to neutral countries and unrestricted 

 exports I- the Ulii s. 



The British Prime Minister, speaking of embargoes such as 

 wool and rubber, said in a recent speech that the measures were 

 not taken to increase British trade nor to diminish the trade of 

 any neutral countries, but solely to prevent goods from reach- 

 ing the enemy. 



The Rubber Growers' Association, of London, is trying to 

 arrange that rubber coming from Ceylon or the Malay States 

 through England into France no longer pay import duty. At the 

 present time France insists upon a certificate of supervision from 

 the British Customs, guarantees, etc. So far the Foreign Office 

 has refused to interfere and it is doubtful if the conditions will 

 be waived. 



In response to an inquiry on the part of The Rubber Growers' 

 Association regarding the term "British Ports" and Japan, the 

 following letter is given out from the Colonial Office : 



Copy of letter from the Under Secretary of State, Colonial 

 Office, addressed to the Secretary, Rubber Growers' Association, 

 under date of 21st November, 1914: 



"It was intended that the exception in favor of 'British Ports' 

 from the prohibition of the exportation of rubber from Ceylon 

 and the Straits Settlements should apply to all ports in Australia, 

 Canada and other British possessions. This has been made clear 

 to the Governors of Ceylon and the Straits Settlements and all 

 British oversea governments have been asked similarly to pro- 

 hibit the exportation of rubber except to British ports. 



"As regards the exportation of rubber from Ceylon and the 

 Straits Settlements to Japan, Mr. Harcourt is prepared to enter- 

 tain applications from manufacturing firms in that country for 

 permission to export rubber from Colombo and Singapore for 

 use in their factories. The Dunlop Rubber Co. have already 

 been granted permission to ship to Japan for use in their mills 

 in that country 50 tons of rubber a month, in each case, from 

 Colombo and Singapore. Similar applications from manufactur- 

 ing firms in France will also be considered. 



"It is proposed also to allow shipments of rubber from Colom- 

 bo and Singapore to Vladivostock for use in Russia as soon as 

 the Russian requirements have been ascertained." 



Recent advices mention a long cable message from Ambassador 

 Page, London, in which British views on embargoes are said to 

 be fully outlined. Great Britain asks that the United States gov- 

 ernment use all her efforts to prevent the shipment of contra- 

 band goods. It is understood that the United States will co- 

 operate, and in that event the embargo would be lifted. 



SENTIMENT IN THE FAR EAST— AND FACTS. 



There is even more unrest in the planting districts in Ceylon 

 and Malaya than in the United States. A shortage of acetic 

 acid frightened the planters into coagulating experiments with 

 sulphuric acid "toddy vinegar" (made from cocoanut shells). 

 air and smoke processes, etc. It may be that plantation "pelles" 

 will one day be in the market just as are the Brazilian. 



Restriction of output was also preached. In Malacca it was 

 proposed to tap only every other day, and in the Straits five days 

 a week. 



Both Ceylon and the Malay States have made and are making 

 strenuous representations to the Colonial Secretary concerning 

 the loss of their "second best customer," the United States. These 

 will undoubtedly be listened to with as much attention as any 

 of the many protests. 



The American Consul at Colombo, Ceylon, Mr. W. A. Leonard. 



