Washington, May 1. The speech of Mr. R: H. Cross, ments to Germany, created.a good impression in the United States by its frankness, clarity and appreciation of the American point of view.
It is believed here that while all difficulties cannot be eliminated, everything possible will be done to make trade flow smoothly.
Speaking at a luncheon of the American Chamber of Commerce in London yesterday, Mr. Cross said there undoubtedly was a serious leak in the blockade on. the route via Vladivostok, through which supplies Of copper, rubber and tin had been imported, a good part of which was going to 3 He said the United States has been.
source of much of this war material.—Reuter.
The output of munitions caused mdustrial production to register a five per cent, increase over 1938 but "further expansion of industrial production in general was hampered by shortage of electric power and coal, labour shortage, a decline in plant operating efficiency and scarcity of basic raw materials, Most favourable aspect of Japanese economy noted by the report is the improvement in agricultural conditions, including increased prices of rice, wheat and raw silk. But commodity prices caused a 15.3 per cent. increase in the cost of living for labourers compared with 1938, while earnings of the labouring class increased only by ten per cent.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.