The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-12-09
US. WILL Weather
GALE: SAYS PRATT
Chief Of Commerce Bureau.
Gives His View on Past
War c Conditions.
...--... I ! N, N.
!. s


4 tIsy Associated Press <
NEW Y DIRK, December o Conf:
dence that American merchants will
be able to bold after the restoration
of peace In Europe trade ibuiltup since
the outbreak Of the wa; was voiced
here last night by Dr. e. r. Pratt,
chief OF the Bureau OF Foreign and sDo.
Imesticg Commerce. In a. speech before
the International Trade Conference
under the auspices of the National As.
l.sociation of Manufacturers.
Some people N said DR.. Pratt, t'are
OF the opinion that following the war
the European countries will flood not
only our own market but the other
markets OF the world with cheaply
made low priced manufactured arti;
5cles. The performance OF opinion,
however, seems to be, and confess
that the facts and logic OF the ssitua-
tion seem to urge this view, that the
cost of production and consequently
prices will be much enhanced in Eu-
ropean countries, and that, in spite
OF the best organized and most4xigor.
Gus efforts on the part OF our Europ.
can competitors, they will not be able
to compete in our own markets and
in other markets OF the world on as
favorable returns as heretofore. be.
live and | find that most Of those who
are professionally engaged in foreign
trade hold a similar opinion, that we
shall be able to retain the major part
Of the market which we gained during
the present disturbed world condi.
TONS"
Pointing out that the first few
months after the European war be-
gan the trade of the United States
not only with belligerent but with
neutral countries not directly effect
ed by the war TO- greatly diminished,
DR.. Pratt said that within the last
few months a change had taken place
and exports to neutral markets In
parts OF the world far distant from
actual fighting had considerably In.
creased.
III we compare our foreign trade in
1918 with our trade in 1916 /, we find
some very interesting results. Sup:
posing we compare the four months,
June, July, August and September,
1918, with the same four months in
1915. We find that during ithatiperiod
our trade with Canada has decreased
about 0 per cent; our trade with Cen
trail America has remained practical.
ly stationary; our trade! with South
Africa has increased - per cent; our,
trade with South America has increas.
ed 90 per cent. /; our trade with Asia
has increased 81 per cent; and per.
haps most rearkable Of al, our trade
with Australia has increased ia per
cent. These facts demonstrate be-
yond question that our trade with
countries Unaffected directly by the
war, has increased temporarily"
DR.. Pratt expressed .thelopinion that
while large opportunities were to be
found in South and Central America
that there was still a greater open
ing for the American exporter In 9TH
er parts Of. the world. He referred par.
ticularly to Russia. which during the
last few years has imported some six
hunared.million dollars worth OF goods
about one-half Of which came from
Germany. 3. X. 2. Il {
8 Outlining at length the methods to
be followed in preparing for, securing
and holding foreign trade, DR.. Pratt
advised exporters to be prepared to
finance direct export shipments at
H. ~ 3