The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-02-05
THINKS THAT us.
BUSINESS MEN
GANENDHGHT
Address Before National.
Chamber OF Commerce
Is Good Advice.
WANTS TRADE EXTENSION
SPEAKER SAYS THAT AMERICA
MUST PLAY STRAIGHT TO
WIN CONFIDENCE.
~
WANTS TRADE EXTENSION
tsy Associated Press,

lBy Associated Press)
WASHINGTON, Feb. Sin a dis.
cussion Of trade expansion and the
European war. before the chamber Of
commerce of the United States In
convention here today, Edward A.
Fflene, OF Boston, outlined how he
thought American business men could
participate in bringing about peace.
1T becomes apparent then that great
exertion and great expense for for.
eign trade expansion must be accom-.
panied by at least equal exertion to
make the terms Of settlement OF the
present great war such that Europe
will not remain an armed camp.
"As responsible business men we
should ask ourselves: What can we
business men do. what can the United
States do, to help bring about the
right terms Of settlement Of the war?
This struggle is SO fierce that at pres.
ent there seems to be no opportunity
for any outside interference, how.
ever will intended. Moreover, there is
apparently no chance Of peace being
made on any terms within the near
future.
THE warning nations will not pro.
pose terms of pesce until exhaustion
or victory comes. The neutral coun-
tries, although they are seriously af-
fected and suffer seriously from the
effects Of the war, can have but little
hope that any proposals they may
make will be accepted now. Tenta-
tive attempts in this direction have
failed. The danger Is. therefore. that
peace will eventually be made by the
warning nations alone and through
the same diplomats who were ont able
to prevent this devastating war. II
that happens It is almost inevitable
that the terms of settlement will
carry the seeds Of the next war, leave
Europe an armed camp and will keep
the whole world for years to come SO
impoverished that few II any coun.
tries will be profitable fields for trade
expansion.
MAY l add q word OF warning. II
the United States is to have any di.
rect influence finally in the terms Of
settlement Of the war, such influence
viii depend largely on the confidence
the warning nations have in our fair.
ness and justice. We must play the
game straight and not hit below the
belt-not try to take unfair adyau.
tage the present export trade help
lessness OF any Of the fighting nations.
But granted that the war is finally
over and the terms Of settlement
have been such as will at once or in
time make all the warning and all the
neutral nations better fields for trade
expansion yet there arc other funda.
mental factors that must be rightly
dealt with before any important trade
expansion can be ours"
Mr.. Filene discussed a multiplicity
Of phases Of foreign trade facilities,
ocean carriage, banking and credit,
insurance and the like and then.
closed with a summary Of his address.
"In brief l have tried to show" he
said:
II. A method by which We may
help make more certain a settlement
Of the war on n basis which will not
leave the world an armed camp with
ever-increasing ornaments but which
will result in a more lasting peace
and be a basis for the greater and
more permanent prosperity OF the In.
habitants Of the warning countries,
thus increasing and not diminishing
the buying power Of the world.
"2. The necessity OF just and sta.
Pile conditions Of ocean transport, and
a possible method to insure them.
"3. That a very important part Of
the pioneer work for trade expansion
must be done by American anks and
bankers. II they are willing to take
the risk OF such pioneer work they
are entitled to the practical support
Of our business men and our gov.
eminent.
"a. Atype of new machinery which
national trade organizations can very
greatly increase the power Of all their
members to acquire foreign trade.
80. An improved instrument which
will insure to foreign buyers that they
will get the goods they have ordered
at the time they have ordered them,
or else a substantial indemnity.
IS. Finally, / have indicated
quality stamp which will give to the
ultimate consumer assurance that the
American goods he buys with this
stamp are reliable and trustworthy"
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