LOST PRESTIGE.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 16723, 5 January 1920, Page 8

LOST PRESTIGE.

GREAT BRITAIN'S COAL TRADE. PASSING TO AMERICA. That tho United States will Boon become tho chief source of coal supply for other -nations of tho world is the, belief expressed in tho November issue of "Commerce Monthly,'' the magazine of tho National Bank of Commerce in New York. It is pointed out that the United States, although it produces more than half of tho world's coal, has in tho past left tho export trado domination in this commodity to England, whose deposits are but a small percentage of those of America. England; however, with production dwindling as a result of tho war, and her labour unrest, seems inevitably bound to yield place to the United States. "Moro than half of tho total coal resources of tho world aro located in tho United States," "Commerce Monthly" says. "Ihiring tho past ten years, production of coal in the United States has developed remarkably, showing in 1918 an increase of 32 per cent, over tho average production during tho fivo years 1909 to 1913. Tho most rapid increases in production havo taken placo in Illinois and West Virginia, the output of tho former of these States for 1918 being tfl ,000,000 tons, and of the latter 24,000,000 tons over tho 1909 to 1913 average/ Pennsylvania increased hor bituminous output 22,000,000 tons, as compared with hor average of 1909 to 1913, and anthracito production for 1918 was 11,000,000 tons ovor tho average for the samo period. "While American coal production in 1918 "broko all records,, output for the current year will bo far below that level. If tho present rato of output is maintained, anthracito production will be about 76,000.000 tons and bituminous production 432,000,000 tons, a total of 508,000,000 tons, the lowest, production sinco 1915. It is believed that anthracite production is adequate, bub at tho present thno it is not possible to determine whether or not the country faces an actual shortage of bituminous coal during tho coming winter. ."The acute problem is not, however, tho domestic but tho international coal situation. The present coal shortage inEuropo is duo to many caffses, chief among them being shortage of labour, reduction in hours of work, and more than all, a general state of industrial unrest and disorganisation as a result of tho war. Tbeso factors have all contributed to enormous increase in tho cost of production, variously estimated at from 75 to 150 per cent, over the cost of production in 1913. Prior to tho war, tho coal importing countries of Europo wero supplied by Groat Britain, Germany, ana, to a small oxtent, by Belgium. Although Germany was bound under tho Peace Treaty to deliver tons of coal to Franco in the next six months, she wns not ablo to furnish this amount, and tho requirement was reduccd to 20,000,000 tons. Belgian coal production is proceeding at a satisfactory rato. Her small exports, however, aro not a Targe factor in meeting tho European situation. Great Britain has been tho world's greatest exporter of coal both in tho form of coal for bunkerago and exports in tho strict sense.

"British production, which in 1913 was 237.000,000 gross tons, decreased to 228,000,000 tons in 1918. Sir Auckland Geddes, President of the Board of Tradfc, state* that for the twelve months beginning July 16th. 1919. when tho miners' seven-hour day came into effect, tho production of British oral will bo approximately between 211.000,000 and 217,000,0C0 tons. Even if tho amuont of coal retained for home consumption were kept down to 190,000.000 tons, tho strictly rationed basis of 1918, thero would bo nvailablo for export only about 20.000,000 c r °ss tons. Not only is tho ability of Great Britain actually to produce coal for expert and ship bunkers curtailed, but tho price of coal is now so high there as to open tho field to all competition, and especially to competition from the United States. '"Although tho foremost coal-produc-ing nation, our exports of coal have never been large. In tho five pre-war years, 1909 to 1913, our exports averaged only about 16,000,000 tons, the great°r part of which went to Canada. Whe®r? in the immediate future we are able to supply the coal which Great Britain cannot furnish will depend partly on our ability to increase bituminous coal production, that being the kind primarily needed both for export and for shin bunkers. It will also depend on obtaining adequate tonnage. Whatever the outcome of tho present situation, it seems inevitable, however, that in timo the United States will assume in the coal export trade and in the business of bunkering ships the position to which her coal resources entitle her.''