With numerous orders for cotton pouring into North China from Manchoukuo and Japan, cotton prices in North China have risen rapidly and one picul sells for ¥.70, an increase of ¥.20 as compared with the original Chief causes of the rise are the purchases of 300,000 piculs by cotton spinning companies in Manchoukuo and_ 1,200,000 piculs' by the recently established joint cotton purchases guild in Japan.
The companies in Manchoukuo recently were allowed to purchase 160,- 000 piculs of cotton from North China, but they were not satisfied with this quantity and placed additional orders for 140,000 piculs.
The order from the Japanese guild also exceeded the original quota by Despite the sudden rise in prices in North China cotton spinning industrialists here are taking an optimistic view of the situation as a result of 8 report that 2,200,000 piculs of cotton' will be placed on the market in North China this autumn if part of the crops in Central China and Shansi is added.
In Hopei Province 1,800,000 piculs of cotton will be produced this year while in Shantung Province 300,000 piculs are anticipated—Domei, Reich's Industrial Situation Berlin, Sept, 2.
Feverish activity has been caused by industrial and military" mobilization, and this is seen also in figures on the production of iron and steel. During the first seven months of 1998, production of iron ore was more than 6,000,000 tons, showing an increase of 133.5 per cent, on the same period last year. Compared to the first seven months of 1988, when the Four-Year Plan was put into effect, production in Germany has doubled, Imports of iron ore from abroad have also increased, it is noted, despite the greater national production, Figures on imports until July 31 set 'a, te record of 12,500,000 tons, oF 11500,000 tons more then the amount imported during the corresponding [period of 1937.
For the whole of tails yeu anticipated "in competent quarters, Germany will reach @ national pro: duction gute of 10,000,000 tons of iron ore, while imports from abroad are expected to total 22,000,000 tons. Should these be borne out, total production this year will be three times that in 1034—Havas,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.