The following figures are intended to show how the imports of Bremen,
and its consequent importance, have grown in comparison to the great
rival markets of Liverpool and Havre:
The Import was to
| Bremen | Liverpool | Havre
| in 1000 | in 1000 | in 1000
| bales | bales | bales
+ + +
1880/81 | 452 | 2 843 | 543
1883/84 | 422 | 2 470 | 465
1886/87 | 493 | 2 694 | 471
1890/91 | 911 | 2 314 | 525
1893/94 | 832 | 2 732 | 578
1896/97 | 1 213 | 2 683 | 672
1900/01 | 1 546 | 2 478 | 711
1903/04 | 1 757 | 2 081 | 690
1906/07 | 2 083 | 3 251 | 863
1909/10 | 1 760 | 2 089 | 948
1912/13 | 2 216 | 3 066 | 1 001
1913/14 | 2 619 | 2 903 | 1 021
1919/20 | 385 | 2 477 | 555
1920/21 | 1 279 | 1 525 | 583
There are not exact statistics before 1880, however, Bremen's yearly
import will have been 2-300 000 bales. From small beginnings, quite a
creditable result has been reached, that is worthy of some
consideration.
History frequently chronicles the decay of some once flourishing
commercial centre, and nobody knows to-day, the exact reason. Was it an
opportunity missed? Of such, no records are kept in the book of time.
Should anybody compile a history of lost opportunities, it might easily
require a bigger volume, than that needed for the story of
opportunities taken at the crucial moment.
The river, on which Bremen is situated, was so heavily silted up, that
sometimes in Summer, one could wade through it; no sea-going vessel
could reach the town. Under these circumstances, the opportunity of
establishing a cotton market in Bremen might easily have been missed.
The trade which was indigenous to Bremen passed, in the second half of
the 19th century, through a period of transition. The shipping business
from olden times, a main stay of Bremen's commerce, had to adapt itself
to more modern requirements. The small vessels hitherto used, had to
make way for bigger ones, the steamship had entered into the world's
traffic. There was hardly a proper connecting link with the interior,
no water ways existed, and the efficiency of the railways was extremely
poor. Surely, these were not conditions that cried for the opening of a
market centre. Yet it was established, it grew and blossomed into
success.
Was this chance or method?
We owe many thanks to the State of Bremen for its co-operation, for,
with astounding energy, this small state undertook to build a sea-port
in Bremen town. This necessitated the deepening of the river "Weser",
to which work the neighbouring states lent no help, but rather, placed
difficulties in the way.
This grand work deserves an essay of its own, on account of its
influence on the commercial, political and economic position of Bremen.
Here only, be it mentioned, that the furtherance of the cotton trade
was a constant stimulus to this great plan. The authorities and the
representatives of the trade were in the best harmony, and the most
perfect arrangements were made for the dealing with cotton. Great
practical knowledge and experience was shown, in settling the question
of how to raise the interests and amortization needed for the vast
expenditure, and of how much the trade could bear without crippling it.
The state furnished the capital for the building of great warehouses,
and within a number of years their cost was paid off, as planned. In
this way, Bremen became equipped with all modern requirements for the
handling and storing of cotton, which, even to-day, are unsurpassed.
The port has the highest reputation for the quick and painstaking
unloading and dispatching of cotton cargoes.
The co-operation of the banks has already been mentioned, but we do not
deem it superfluous to repeat, that without capital, no enterprise can
be effectively launched, and all roads to successful completion are
barred. Fifty years ago Bremen was poor in capital. What existed of
riches, and was not needed in business, was, by preference, locked up
in American securities, very little was left liquid for the Cotton
Trade, although big amounts were needed to handle the import of cotton.
Credit is not given by merely asking for it, only he is entitled to it,
who is sure that he can fulfil his obligation. To incur debts, trusting
to luck to pay back, is bad policy. It is unfair dealing to accept
goods on credit in the hope that their sale will leave a profit, this
is only permissible, when sufficient capital is in existence to pay for
the goods, even though a loss takes the place of the expected profit.
As these views dominated the trade, close connections could be started
with the banks. State and banks have greatly helped the growth of the
Bremen cotton trade, besides them, however, the assistance of many
others must be gratefully acknowledged. Most particular reference has
to be made to the forwarding trade. With admirable energy, the
forwarding houses made all arrangements for the careful and expeditious
handling of the technical part of the cotton trade. Right from the
beginning, they worked on the principle of trustworthiness and
reliability, well knowing, that only by these, a mutual confidence
between all parties could be established. The great trust shown, alike
by shippers and receivers, to the Bremen Forwarding firms, has made the
dealing so easy and satisfactory. The post and telegraphic authorities
have likewise been imbued with good will towards the needs of commerce,
thereby assisting considerably the furtherance of trade. The harmonious
cooperation of so many powerful allies, enhanced the value of the work
done by the cotton market itself, though, never for a moment, must the
diligent work slacken, lest the budding tree should stop growing.
Anybody engaged in the cotton business has to be at his post every
minute, always ready to take a given opportunity. Exact information
concerning the conditions in America, as well as personal connections
in that country, are of great value. It is characteristic of the German
merchant to follow up a business once he has commenced it, and this
close attention, from early youth to ripe old age, has contributed
materially to the success of the Bremen cotton trade.