16 REPORT OF SCHIMMEL & Co. APRIL 1914. 
The decisions of the Board of Hygiene, to which samples from every consignment of | é 
the articles in question must be submitted by the Customs, even when the goods are 
addressed to firms which are entitled to import them, also give rise to frequent 
complaints. The fact that goods are sometimes unjustly condemned is not exactly 
calculated to show the technical knowledge of the chemists responsible for their 
rejection in the best light. 
From Bulgaria also, a vigorous improvement in business and an increased demand 
for our manufactures can be reported since the conclusion of peace. The Levante 
Zeitung of January 1st reports as follows on the state of trade at the close of the year: 
“Now that three months have passed since the termination of the Moratorium, it 
may be stated that in regard to solvency Bulgaria has shown itself in every respect 
worthy of its good reputation. Notwithstanding the difficult situation created by the 
long duration of the state of war, and the unfavourable outcome of the campaign 
against Servia, Greece and Montenegro, current liabilities are on the whole being 
discharged punctually, even when it is admitted that foreign creditors, acting in con- 
junction with the local banks, and taking into account the exceptional conditions, have 
shown themselves accommodating in the highest degree. The increase in the agio 
rate to 14 p.c. is a great calamity, because it causes the merchants great losses, 
especially for liabilities of old standing, and they are unable to recoup this loss. For 
this reason business is still generally at a standstill, particularly so because it is 
impossible to foresee clearly, even for the immediate future, what will be the results 
of the new election for the Sobranye upon the economic position of Bulgaria. In the 
meantime the exportation of corn has begun, although for the present it is on a small 
scale, but no complete relief can be expected for the local money-market until a large 
loan has been concluded. Hence the attention of the whole commercial world of the 
country is now concentrated upon the steps which are being taken by the Government 
in this direction, and in the interest of a rapid and healthy improvement in the com- 
mercial relations with Bulgaria it is to be hoped that these efforts will soon lead to 
a satisfactory result. The delay in the handling of imported goods by the Customs- 
and Railway-Authorities, due to the war, is slowly undergoing improvement. The 
healthy foundation upon which the economic conditions of Bulgaria are reared, and 
especially the thrifty and sober character of the Bulgarian farmers, warrant the hope 
that the country will overcome the injurious effects of the war more rapidly than any 
other Balkan state. 
The difficulties in transportation continue to be a heavy burden on trade. The 
railways suffer from a chronic shortage of rolling stock, and this will need to be 
removed before communications with foreign countries can be put on the footing which 
is desirable in the interests of a regular exchange of commodities. So far the crop- 
prospects are quite favourable, and the agricultural section of the population should . 
therefore rapidly recover from the effects of the war.” 
The fact that the revival of the exchange of merchandise with Servia is making 
slow progress must also be ascribed to the interruption in communications. When 
the railways had finished their work in connection with the demobilization of the 
Army, they were faced by the task of conveying the masses of merchandise that were 
waiting to be passed through the Customs at the frontier stations, and this task was. 
soon found to be impossible of accomplishment owing to lack of rolling stock. As 
late as the middle of February 1400 wagons loaded with all kinds of imported merchan- 
dise were standing in the goods’ yards at Belgrade, this accumulation being caused 
through the want of a sufficient customs- and railway-staff. It is due to the energetic 
7 
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