The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-11-13
BERLIN BANKER
HERE;;SAYSWAR
WILL END SOON
lie Agrees With Mr.. Asquith /:
Europe's Exhaustion to
Cause Collapse.
VISITOR DENIES HE Is
HERE SEEKING A LOAN.

A representative OF one OF the lead.
uE banking institutions of Berlin. who
lts come to this country since IN.
outbreak of the war, In speaking YES
tesday OF the duration of the strug-
a.. said he agreed with Premier As
uith that the war could not go OH much
longer. lie was willing to discuss con-
u.tious abroad. but requested that his
name be not used at this time. lie said
lie believed one side or the other would
uu from exhaustion, or owing to a great
dof"tt. This banker denied that he was
n this country to arrange a loan or an
extension of credits for Germany, who's
financial condition Is excellent. he said.
1t is a natural superstition" he said,
that I am here to arrange for a loan or
som, extension Of credit to my country.
However such is not the case. I am here
pu no mission from the German Govern
..,nt Besides, Germany Is not so foolish,
moving the feelings OF American people
towlrd loans 20 belliEerents. a. to think
ma, she could obtain financial accom-
uOdttious here. Moreover, she does not
.eed to make a loan IN the United States"
Germany Getting supplies.
ouel-ed as TO the record breaking drop
me prices of marks and whether Ger
many ought not TO do something 10
strengthen her exchange. the banker re-
pied that If II became necessary Germany
could at any time send gold to neutral
Countries to strengthen the condition of
her sNrhancc. Germany. he said, Is well
supplied with gold and the cheapness Of
German exchange here showed that his
.ountry was getting large quantities OF
'oodstuffs and other supplies from this
COUNTRY and from neutral countries In
Europe.
He said me outlook for American exports
o Germany was brighter. particularly
nee the arrangements which have been
.-tev-d into between England and thiS
ouutry. wherein IL was agreed that cotton
should not be considered as contraband
whom shipped in neutral bottoms.
Immediately following the war declar-
alton" the banker went on, the war
chest at Spandau was emptied Into the
Reichsbank. That amounted to about
80 900 600 marks. The remaining part
Of the increase was voluntarily contrib
uted by the German people. who gave
I'D their gold and took notes In exchange.
At the outset-that Is TO say, for the iirst
couple OF days after war was declared
there was a heavy demand for gold at the
bank. but the Institution stopped that. and
then an appeal to the patriotism OF the
people accomplished the rest,
Lending without Collateral.
Regarding the commercial situation in
Germany. n good indication IL furnished
by the operations OF the war credit bank
which was established TO render assist
ance to merchants who might be EN-
harrassed as a result of the outbreak or
hostilities. To such the new bank Is to
leud without collateral Merchants who
before the war had sold goods to Russia,
France or England. and for which they
could not collect, may go TO the new bank
and obtain relief by presenting the evil
dcuce OF the transactions: but although
TINS relief could he furnished up to the
amount of $50 900 600 marks, only about
g. Oo0. 900 marks has actually been paid
ut.
An exaggerated idea prevails here re-
-arding the amount of Germany's hold
ngs of American securities, and the eS-
;cnt to which my country might llquidate
'olowI a resumption OF business on the
NV York Exchange. There was heavy
liquidation for German account In the
asst month in which tho stock exchanges
we're open. and the holdings OF Germans
n American stocks are not now heavy.
There might he some liquidation. but the
amount would not he great. am sure
+, would be much less than some of the
cst'mstes which I have heard since my
arrival here"