The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-11-21
Arthur R. Jones of Guar anty Trust Company Is
 Very Optimistic
WENT ABROAD WITH
 SHIPMENT OF GOLD
Distributed 5,O0O,0G0 Sent on Cruiser Tennessee to Relieve Stranded Americans-Thinks War Will
 Last at Least Two Years

Arthur R. Jones of the Guaranty Trust company of New York is in Birmingham on business connected with his company. He was at lunch yesterday at the Bir- mingham Newspaper club as the guest O. w. c. Hamilton of the American Trust and Savings bank Mir. Jones is well known ir Birmingham, as he often comes here to purchase securities and keep in touch with the local bankers. He was se- lected by the New York banks to accom- pany the gold shipment to Europe lately sent on the battleship Tennessee for the purpose of cashing foreign paper and also assisting the Americans stranded in Flu rope at the outset of the war MT. Jones went from London to the Hague. then to Berlin and later to Vienna. He handled $5, 000. 900 for the New York banks and also aided Assistant Secretary Breckenridge of the war department distribute the gold to stranded Americans
 He said yesterday that the war in Flu
 rope would last for more than two years.
 He said this was the opinion of some of the most prominent men in the various European cities that he visited. He also
 
 in Washington he was told by several prominent army officers that that was their opinion. MT. Jones said that he vis- ited the various American emba ssies and the officials seemed to think that it will require two years to settle the conflict. Fight to the Death Tt is a fight to the death,'' said MT. Jones. Germany cannot whip the world, and it is apparent that the world is ar
 rayed against her. but before It is ended the allies will know they have been in a stiff fight. The army of Germany is marvellous. The reserves are fine fighting men who have been through seven years of training. l saw five army corps pass through the streets of Berlin en route to the front. I would not undertake to say
 whether there were 5000,000 men who passed the embassy or whether there were only 50.000. It was the most wonderful sight I ever witnessed. They are mar velously well drilled. well clad and big, fine Joking fellows. They have the sys- tenn down so fine in Germany that tenors, passes, bassoes and baritones are in line and their singing is most impressive.
 'As for the financial situation. I am of
 the opinion that we have passed the cor
 ner. This country is getting into better
 shape every day. Money is getting less difficult to secure. The opening of the cotton exchange Monday last the opening of the regional reserve banks and other
 recent events have all tended to restore confidence and everyone in New York con-
 nected with financial houses seem to think
 that we have passed over the worst of
 rather discouraging situation.
 The reserve in New York is growing larger and things are picking up no little.
 It is easily apparent that the situation Is decidedly improved. I believe the price of cotton is going up. although there will scarcely occur any great increase until the
 consumption grows greater in England by reason of the resumption of opera tions In that country.
 Germany Hardest Hit "The worst country in Europe, com mercially. is naturally Germany. The mills arc not running, and although Bell gium is devastated and is in ruins, at the same time Germany is in a distressful condition. They are stoical, however, and show very little of sher troubles. The factories along the Rhine have only watchmen about them. In every particu- lar Germany is paying the great price. She has some money and her banks are in good shape. She is getting food through Holland and Switzerland.
 The American chances for conner cial relations with the allies Is naturally greater than any other country. --ow- ever we cannot hope to do much with Germany as her commerce is practically destroyed at this time.
 'J think America will profit very large ly by reason of this war. Our opportuni- ties are very great, and I have faith enough in the American business man to believe that they will take immediate advantage of whatever chances are given for the furtherance of our commercial relations with other countries" MT. Jones was enthusiastic yesterday over the Tutwiler hotel and the press club, both of which institutions he said were of immense benefit and value to Birmingham.
 ''I have been all over the world several times,' said Mir Jones, "and have never seen a nicer hotel It reminds me very much of the Blackstone in Chicago and the Vanderbilt Tn New York, although 1t is in many respects nicer than either of | those places. The press club is very .