After the armistice, the possibility presented itself again, of
supplying the German cotton industry with raw material. The government,
however, made certain stipulations under which the import might be
carried on, but no hymn of praise can be sung about them.
Notwithstanding all difficulties, cotton found its way into the
country, and when, finally, all government measures were cancelled, the
legitimate business was restarted. All round the Bremen market,
competition had grown. Rotterdam made great exertions to push Bremen
aside, even Copenhagen made similar endeavours. A few American firms,
which were hostile to Germany, did their best to circumvent Bremen.
These efforts, however, were not crowned with success, Bremen regained
its position. It has been shown that the natural development through
many years, cannot be killed and artificially replaced. The manifold
relations, started in peace-time, of personal or business character,
showed their value. The economic life flows through a great network of
channels, should these be artificially closed, they will re-open again
of their own accord, as soon as the barriers have been removed. During
the war, the German cotton industry either stood still, or worked only
with a small percentage of its machinery. The government had husbanded
the supply of cotton most carefully, so that, after an unexpectedly
long war, a little was still left over. The mills which were running,
displayed great assiduity in procuring and utilizing substitutes for
cotton. Paper, wood, cellulose, reed and nettle fibres, and other
materials were tried, some were manufactured quite extensively. During
the war they did good service, but in normal times, they cannot usurp
the place of cotton. After surmounting many difficulties, the German
cotton industry is once more in full swing, and with it, Bremen is
again the important continental cotton market. The surrounding
countries buy in Bremen as of old, though some outlets are still
closed, owing to political and economic reasons.
During the last three years, before the war, the import of North
American cotton to Bremen averaged 2 500 000 bales, during the season
1920/21, it reached 1 200 000 bales, and in 1921/22, 1 500 000 bales,
the decline, against the former years, is caused, partly, by the
disappearance of some outlets, and partly, by the shorter working day.