—As regards political control, three great national or race factors loom in the future of the coal industry and in the development of wealth and power: the European, dominated by England; the American, by the United States; and the Asiatic, by Japan. The efforts of England during the war temporarily prostrated her, and diminished the grip of her export coal and bunkering trade, but conditions late in 1919 indicated that recovery might be rapid. The immediate growth in the mining of coal for use at home, with consequent progress in steel and other industries, however, will be greatest in the United States, because of our gigantic resources. In the East, however, are indications of a development of China’s coal and the growth of attendant industries on a scale which may in time outstrip those of any country except America, and transfer the bulk of wealth and power to the two great civilizations, on either side of the Pacific—the newest, that of America, and the oldest, that of China and Japan. The war and the settlements after the war proved an unmixed benefit and opportunity to Japan, and enabled her so to strengthen herself in China and Korea that she is not only the preponderating power in the East, but may claim a sphere of influence and a wide protectorate for Asia, far more effective than the American Monroe Doctrine.

Having regard to national internal economy and external and internal effectiveness, the United States will clearly neglect the main function of government if it fails to exercise an effective supervision and regulation of the coal industry. This industry is national; every citizen has an interest in it, and a right to expect its administration for the highest benefit of all.

Table 9.—Production and Imports of Fuel of South American Countries in 1913[10]
Millions of metric tons

CountryProductionImportsRemarks (1919)
Argentina 4.0 Argentina has no coal resources. Imports chiefly from Great Britain; Cardiff coal.
Brazil 2.2 Brazil has coal, but it is inaccessible for transportation.
Chile1.230.6 Chile has some coal, but does not mine enough high-grade coal for its needs; has imported from Great Britain.
Colombia Colombia has some undeveloped coal resources; has imported a little coal from time to time from the United States.
Peru0.280.02Peru has small coal resources and mines a little coal, practically enough for its needs.
Uruguay 0.8 Uruguay has no coal resources and imported some in the past, chiefly from Great Britain.
Total South America1.517.6 

[10] Compiled by George S. Rice.

Table 10.—1913 Production, Exports, and Imports of Coal of Principal Countries of Asia and Australia[11]
Millions of metric tons

CountryKind of coalProductionExportsImportsRemarks (1919)
JapanBituminous21.83.5...Japan does not have large coal resources and coal is not of high grade, but deposits are advantageously located for exporting.
India...16.5......India has considerable good coal, but this will be needed for domestic purposes and bunkering.
ChinaBituminous14.0...about
2.0		Coal is imported from Japan, but China has great coal resources, and these are being developed by Japanese,British and American capital. Germany had large interests, which have reverted, it is understood, to Japan.
Indo-China... 0.4......Indo-China has some coal, both anthracite and lignite.
Siberia............Little is known of the coal resources of Siberia. There are many indications of lignite deposits.
New South Wales...10.56.0...New South Wales has large resources of good coal. One-half of the 6 million tons exported goes to otherAustralian states; the other half to Pacific ports.
New Zealand... 1.9......New Zealand has small coal basins, but they are close to the sea, permitting ready export.
Queensland... 1.1......Queensland, Victoria, and Western Australia have considerable coal resources, but not of grade orquality to be a factor in export trade.
Victoria... 0.6......
Western Australia... 0.3......

[11] Compiled by George S. Rice.

CHAPTER III
IRON
By E. C. Harder and F. T. Eddingfield

USES OF IRON