New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-22
Neutral Diplomat Says
Powers Already Are
Preparing for 1t.
DECLARES GERMANY
HAS BEST CHANCES
Teutons. He Believes, Can Soon
est Respond to Outside
Demands for Goods.
from IN. Tribune BureaI.l

Washington, Dec. 2l.-A conmerclal
struggle between the Central Powers
of Europe and the Quadruple Entente
Powers was almost certain to follow
the present struggle on the battlefield
one of the neutral diplomats declared
to-day. He called attention to the fact
that several powers already are work
ing on tariff arrangements TO go into
effect Immediately after the war.
Germany was preparing for the
struggle, this diplomat declared, not
only by working out tariff arrange
ment with her allies, but by increasing
her already large stock OF goods ior
export.
THE nation that can the soonest re-
spond 20 the demand" he added will
have an immense advantage over us
rivals in securing the best place IN the
markets of the world. Germany Is
working hard for this advantage"
Commenting on the commercial stu
alton at the close of the war, the dip
lomat said:
"Plans are being outlined in Germany
and Austria-Hungary TO form a tarlt
union, TO which other nations also are
TO be admitted. The object of this
union appears to be 10 acc ~utual
tariffs of favor. if not even 49, trade,
to a certain extent.
Plans of the Allies.
"On the other hand, the powers OF
the Quadruple Entente are SAID 10 De
considering measures TO COMBAT the
commercial expansion OF Germany'
Numerous propositions have been put
forward, among which are the follow
ing: The Allied powers to accord eacn
other. reciprocally. tariffs of favor; diff
ferential tariffs to be concluded with
neutral states; heavy duties to be i'm
posed on the goods of Germany and
her allies.
at is proposed in some circles-as,
for instance. by the Italian Senator
Ferraris in a recent letter TO the press
that this system should be extended
10 banks, railroads, posts, telegraphs,
telephones and everything which touch =
es the industrial life of nation. II
is also urged that measures should be
taken to render stable rates OF eN-
change between London, Paris, Rome
and Petrograd.
considerable anxiety is felt IN
Swiss commercial circles as to the pos
sible effect on Switzerland and-which
may be lkened to the little Isle of Peace
surrounded by stormy sea OF Contro-
yersy-should the two groups OF hos
tile powers decide to pursue IN eco
monte spheres the struggle now wag-
ing on the field of battle, as it is feared
that Switzerland may find herself be-
tween two fires, with the unpleasant
consequences naturally resulting from
such a situation.
"The suspension, or, at least, sharp
reduction, in the manufacture OF
large variety of articles, owing to the
war, is expected 70 create "a sort Of
vacuum in many industrial produc-
tions which will result in very appre-
ciable excess of demand over supply.
II would therefore follow, under ordi-
nary processes of reasoning, that the
nation that can the soonest respond TO
the demand will have an immense ad-
vantage over it's rivals in securing the
best place in the markets of the world.
Germany Overstocked.
The declaration of the blockade by
the Allied powers found Germany in
full enjoyment OF very large export
trade. The enforcement of the block
ade Immediately checked to large ex-
tent German expectations, and thus
caused very considerable accumula-
ton in Germany of stocks of goods of
a character not applicable to the re-
quirements of the situation created by
the war, and for which during war
times there is comparatively little de-
mand.
ut is, Of course. possible that the i'll
feeling engendered by the war in some
quarters may initiate in certain mar
kets against this advantageous position
of Germany, but in many other mar
kets no such i'll feeling will, il is eX
pected, survive the end of hostilities,
and the belief prevails that, in general.
commercial relations are everywhere
based upon self-interest rather than
upon sentimental feelings. A good ar
ticle offered at a reasonable price at an
opportune moment of need, it is
thought. will almost surely find
buyer, whatever may have been that
buyers personal opinion as to the
merits of the war"