Washington, Dec. 14.
Silver imports into the United States during the week ended] December 7 showed a sharp drop in comparison with importations during the preceding seven-day period, according to figures released for during the week—United. Press, The Superitendent of Customs notifies that, in accordance with Gov-Jernment instructions, coastwise movements of wireless materials and apparatus must in future be covered by an Interport Certifeate. 'The lscue of these certificates will be undertaken by local telegraph of-[tices or, in the case of wireless apparatus' for militdy use, by the Chiao-t'uny Pus publication to-day by the Depart. ment of Commerce.
Imports of the metal in the week fended December 7 totalled $2,053,601 value, compared with $2,416,087 the preceding week, a decline ut China, which in recent weeks had been the principal source of silver shipments to this country, furnished negligible proportion to enter the United States during the—period under review. Imports from China for the week totalled only $9394 in value, compared to imports totalling $1,271;804 in the preceding week.
The United Kingdom replaced China as the chief source of American silver purchases, imports from the British Isles in the week under review amounting to $908,831, against negligible imports the pre: ceding week.
Mexico and Peru, both leading producers of the white metal, continued substantial" shipments, the imports from Mexico totalling $722,119 in value, compared to $791,204 last._week, while those from Per were $192,920, against. $179,929 the preceding week.
Chile also appears in the lst of the Department of Commerce, supplying silver valued. at $86,465
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.