22 REPORT OF SCHIMMEL & Co. APRIL 1914. 
proposal having been laid before the House of Representatives with the object of — 
proceeding much more energetically in this direction in the future. It is a significant 
fact that the reason given for advocating this increased activity is the success of 
similar efforts on the part of the German experts in countries overseas, and especially 
in South America, these successes having inspired feelings of uneasiness in Government 
circles in the United States. These demonstrations and activities in the United States 
naturally make it appear all the more urgent to continue to improve the German 
organizations for the extension of German export Trade, in which the German chemical 
industry is greatly interested. These organizations are certainly capable of improvement ~ 
in many directions. 
The exports of merchandise from the U.S. Consular district of Leipzig in the year 
1913 show the very serious decrease of not less than § 834161.—. On the other hand, 
the value of exports of essential oils has risen from § 363046.— in the year 1912 to 
§ 452 621.— last year. 
Unfortunately no change for the better has taken place in the vexatious position — 
of affairs in Mexico, and in view of the contradictory reports of the prospects which 
reach Europe, it is best to express no opinion whatever. It is to be regretted that the 
United States have not seen their way to put an end to the disorders, for it is obvious 
that their interests are most ‘of all jeopardized by the continuance of chaos. Here the 
grave consequences resulting from the Monroe-doctrine are once more plainly shown, 
seeing that it is certain that order could have been restored long ago by joint action 
by the European Great Powers were it possible for them to interfere. It is true that 
it is claimed on the part of Mexicans that the existing conditions are often exaggerated 
in the European press, but even if we merely take as a guide the facts which are 
confirmed from the other side, it must be admitted that the situation is desperate and 
that it is scarcely possible to exaggerate it. 
With regard to the situation in Brazil we take the following particulars from the 
report of the Deutsche Uberseeische Bank. They embrace everything that is of interest 
as bearing upon this important selling market: — 
The economic life of Brazil (the report states) which had made such brilliant 
progress in the course of recent years, has suffered serious disturbances in the year 
under review, leading to an acute crisis in almost all branches of commerce. For the 
first time for many years the statistics show an excess of imports over exports, as 
will be seen from the figures below: — 
Exports Imports 
in the year 1913 ¥£ 64612292 £ 67169929 
i) rg) LOL2: STA OsO 49 £ 63424 637. 
It should be remembered that in 1913 coffee, the principal product of Brazil, alone 
accounted for about 70 p.c. of the total exports, that is to say about 10 p.c. more 
than in each of the two preceding years, when its share amounted to about 60 p.c. 
only. Hence the pronounced and unexpected drop in coffee prices which, after great 
fluctuations, reduced the quotation for the standard Type (No. 4) at Santos 
from Rs. 7 § 700 per 10 kg. on 18t January, 1913, 
to SUB S400 -,) 10018 fo sos December, 4918: 
has been of the most far-reaching importance, and has inflicted the gravest injury 
upon the economic conditions of the coffee-growing Central States, especially the State 
of Sao Paulo. There is at present very littie prospect of any improvement in the 
miserable condition of the northern States of Para and Amazonas, which depend 
