: Political and commercial geology and the world's mineral resources by Various Spurr Josiah Edward Editor -

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PREFACE v

CHAPTER

POLITICAL AND COMMERCIAL GEOLOGY

AND THE

WORLD'S MINERAL RESOURCES

PETROLEUM

BY JOHN D. NORTHROP

In this article, prepared in June, 1918, by Mr. Northrop, have been incorporated certain notes and additions; as, for example, information furnished by E. Russell Lloyd, of the United States Geological Survey; A. G. White and W. E. Perdue, of the Bureau of Mines, and others.

INTRODUCTION

BY J. E. SPURR

Coal and iron are the backbone of industrial civilization, and should be considered first in any attempt to analyze the ownership and control, as between nations, of the world's mineral resources. Kin to coal in growing importance, however, is the lighter, fluid and volatile mineral substance, petroleum, whose significance is vast and as yet not wholly defined. More easily transportable than coal, and yielding refined products whose explosive action in internal-combustion engines furnishes greater power in proportion to weight than was once deemed possible, petroleum and its products, apart from their immense direct economic importance, may, in the automobile, the submarine, and the air plane, and through numerous other applications, control strategically, from a nationalistic standpoint, the more inert foundations of civilization. Moreover, the use of crude petroleum as fuel, especially for ships, is of the most vital importance in these days of greater competitive plans for expanding world-wide commerce, and establishing the strength and ready efficiency of navies. Great maritime nations must have, for their oil-burning ships, oil-bunkering stations under their own control in all parts of the world where they wish their commerce to dominate, and their navies to protect their interests efficiently.

Mr. Northrop's paper follows:

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