been rather weak, and the outbreak of the World War ze first caused an. 
complete suspension of general traffic conditions. He See ae) 
This also nearly completely crippled the expert for ‘the remaining months of 
dispatches by rail to the countries of Central and Northern Europe, solelg? and 2 
maintained a weak commercial connection between South Italy and abroad. 
Consequently it is not to be wondered at, that the Sicilian and Calabrian 
market during the bd quarter of 1914 become a continually sinking - one. 
The extraordinarily low price level of the South Italian and Sicilian essential 
first attracted foreign demands at the beginning of 1915, in spite of the difficu 
_ shipment, which had greatly increased in the meanwhile. Germany especial. y 
the threatening Italian war clouds gathering against her on the horizon, - 
renew her store in as great a degree as possible before the storm broke. | 
A brisk export set in in the new year, which not only stopped the si 
prices, but also evoked an improvement in the value of. essences of all kinds. 
The entry of Italy into the war in May 1915 barred the export of the Italian 
oils to the important consuming. countries Germany and Austria-Hungary; 
appearance of these two markets, and the Svererewane daneek of the | 
ee 
Manifold attempts uM local erupe of speculators during the i 915 to 
The Se aeacine difficulties of over-sea transport. ae ithe: e 
fresh fruits in cases. Germany and Austria had ceased to be : 
; South Italy was deprived of the ohiers pant of her oie frui 
