Mineral Production. — Prior to the World War there were 41,638 mines and quarries, employing 372,517 workers.
The annual yield of the mines was valued at 829,458,262 francs and of the quarries 305,955,651 francs. During the war the coal area was directly in the line of military operations and the coal mines were not worked during that time. The systematic destruction of the coal mines was carried on by the Germans. The production of coal before the war was 42,000,000 tons. The production in 1920 was about 2,000,000 tons a month. By the terms of the Peace Treaty Ger many is to deliver to France a specified amount of coal a month, and France has practical possession of the Sarre Basin. See SARRE BASIN.
The iron industry was of great im portance during the war. There were in operation in 1914 72 blast furnaces, and in 1920 there were about 17 operated. The iron and steel industry in the in vaded districts represented 85 per cent. of the total French production before the war. In 1920 this was being re-estab lished to about 50 per cent., except the heavy steel works, of which about 14 per cent. had been restored. Of the roll ing mills 31/2 per cent. had been restored. The rolling mills were dismounted and machinery taken to Germany. Accord ing to the terms of the Peace Treaty this must be restored to France.
Commerce.—The commercial life of France was entirely disorganized as a result of the World War. In 1917 the imports were valued at 16,311,000,000 francs and the exports to 3,837,000,000 francs. During the first half of 1919 the imports exceeded the exports by 10,000, 000,000 francs, while the imports during that period exceeded by 2,389,000,000 francs those during the same period in 1918. In spite of this enormous in crease in value, the quantity had slightly diminished. This decrease was in ma terial and manufactured products, while in food products there was an increase. As a result of the rise of prices the value of the exports, in spite of the fall ing off in quantity was nearly equal to that of 1913. The enormous rise of price was shown by the fact that the quantity had diminished by more than 500 per cent. The imports of food for the first
eight months of 1919 amounted to 5,463, 270,000 francs, and the total imports for the eight months of that year amounted to 18,475,706,000 francs. This was an increase of about 4,000,000,000 francs over the same period of 1918. The im ports greatly exceeded the exports, and this continued throughout the year. The imports from Jan. 1 to Nov. 30, 1919, amounted to 25,336,978,000 francs, while the exports amounted to 6,223,448,000 francs, or a deficit of about 19,000,000, 000 francs. This condition is explained by the fact that nearly all French ex ports fall under the head of luxuries, for which it was difficult to find a mar ket. The total imports for the first five months of 1920 amounted to 13,041,000, 000, while the exports amounted to 5, 970,000,000 francs. The chief articles of import are coal and coke, cast iron and steel, cereals, arms and munitions, chemical products and machinery. The chief articles of export are textiles, raw silk and yarn, leather, chemical products, and paper.
Transportation.—There were prior to the World War, about 25,000 miles of railway open for traffic. During the war the railroads were greatly disorganized and were used chiefly for war purposes. During the period of the war 1,400 miles of principal line were practically de stroyed, while 1,480 miles of branch lines were destroyed. By 1920 the principal lines had been entirely repaired, while half of the branch lines had also been restored to use. In 1919 measures were passed providing for an increased effici ency in the operation of roads and a satisfactory organization of the great railroad systems. During 1919-1920 ex traordinary efforts were made to restore normal conditions of operation of the railroads, especially of the battle area where they had suffered most severely. The great canal system also suffered greatly during the war. About 1,000 miles of canal were destroyed, of which 485 miles had been repaired by 1920. 32,000 miles of roads were also de stroyed. Of this 10,000 miles were re paired in part and 1,122 miles com pletely restored in 1920.