POSITION OF THE PRINCIPAL POWERS
The United States is the most favorably situated of any nation in its supply of sulphur. In the years preceding the European war it produced about one-half the world’s supply. Since that time its production has increased several fold and it is now the dominating factor in the world situation.
The relative position of Italy, which was formerly of equal importance with the United States, is declining. Her cost of production is increasing, and American sulphur will enter into keen competition with the European markets. The resources of Japan are comparatively small and the larger part of her production has been exported. The post-war conditions will probably curtail the markets for Japanese sulphur, and there is no likelihood of any increase in Japan’s position. England, France and Germany must primarily rely upon other countries for their supply of both pyrite and sulphur. England secures a part of her sulphur supply from a by-product source known as the Chance-Claus process, which produces from 30 to 40 thousand tons annually. In addition she secures large amounts of pyrite from Spain. France produces some local pyrite, but imports large quantities of this material from Spain; and before the outbreak of the war was securing increasing amounts of sulphur from the United States. Germany and Austria have some resources in pyrite and probably had considerable stocks of sulphur at the opening of the war. It has been stated that in order to secure her needs of these materials Germany was forced to use expensive processes, to reduce the sulphur content of gypsum, to expand her pyrite production, and to increase the output of smelter acid. Under normal conditions she will probably have to return to imports of pyrite from Norway and Sweden, or sulphur from the United States and Italy.