The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-02-05
TRADE EXPANSION and THE.
EUROPEAN WAR DISCUSSED
Boston Man Outlines to Chamber OF
Commerce ponvsntion How He
Thought American Business Men
Gould Participate in Peace Question

Washington, d. c., Feb. 5.-Tn. a
discussion of trade expansion and the
European war. before the Chamber Of
Commerce of the United states in con
vention here to-day, Edward A. Filene,
of Boston, outlined how he thought
American business men could partici-
pate in bringing about peace.
"It becomes apparent then that
great exertion and great expense for
foreign 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.
GAS 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, however
well intended. Moreover, there is ap-
parently no chance of peace being made
on any terms within the near future.
Warning Nations viii Make Peace
The warning nations will not pro-
| victory comes. The neutral countries,
although they are seriously affected and
suffer seriously from the effects of tho
war, can have but little hope that any
proposals they may make will be ac-
ceptable now. Tentative attempts in
this direction have failed. The danger
is, therefore, that peace will eventually
be made by the warning nations alone
| rl hr, ,,ndl, Ia J,,,ln~ats
were not able to prevent this devastat-
ing war. If 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 coma,
so impoverished that few ii any co,in-
tries will be profitable fields for trade
expansion.
MAY add a word of warning. If
the United States is to have any di-
rect influence finally in the terms of set,
tlement of the war, such influence will
depend largely on the confidence the
warning nations have in our fairness
and justice. We must play the game
straight and not hit below the belt
not try to take unfair advantages of
the present export trade helplessness of
any OF the lighting 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 neu-
trail nations better fields for trade ex-
pansion yet there are other funda-
mental factors that must be rightly
dealt with before any important perma-
nent trade expansion can be ours.
Foreign Trade Facilities
Mr.. Flene discussed a multiplicity
of phases of foreign trade facilities,
ocean carriage, banking and credit, in
surance and the like and then closed
with summary of his address.
"In brief l have tried to show" he
said:
GA method by which we may
help make more certain settlement
of the war on basis which will not
leave the world an armed camp with
ever.increasing ornaments but which
will result in more lasting peace and
be a basis for the greater and more
permanent prosperity Of the inhabitants
of the warning countries, thus inereas-
ing and not diminishing the buying
power of the world.
"2-The necessity of just and staple
!. conditions of ocean transport, and a
, possible method to insure them.
"3-That very important part Of
the pioneer work for trade expansion
must be done by American banks and
bankers. If they are willing to take
the risk of such pioneer work they are
entitled to the practical support of our
business men and of our government
GA type of new machinery by
which national trade organizations can
very greatly increase the power of all
their members to acquire foreign trade.
"5-An improved instrument which
will insure to foreign buyers that they
will get the goods they have ordered
at the time they hase ordered them, or
else substantial indemnity.
"6-Finally, have indicated a
quality stamp which will give to the
ultimate consumer assurance that the
American goods he buys with this
stamp are reliable and trustworthy. y