The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1916-03-06
AMERICANS HARD HIT
BY GERMAN BLOCKADE
Those in Germany Are Not Able to Get
Materials with Which to Carry on
Their Business and Are De-
spairing of Relief.

: spairing of Relief
Berlin, March 4-For nearly year
and half the American business men
e and firms in Germany, cut off almost en-
r tirely from the goods with which they
do business, have been making desperate
but comparatively unorganized efforts to
stave off the ruin that has been staring
them in the face. Some have tried to
import stocks surreptitiously, while
, Others have attempted by curtailment
and economy to weather the storm. But,
just as steadily as they have curtailed,
just so steadily has England frightened
: its blockade, until to-day the man who
/ receives a shipment of anything that is
non -contraband is envied of all his fell
low American business men.
The situation became immeasura bly,
worse last year when the facilities of the
parcels post no longer were available,
More than one firm had eked out its ex
istence by this means.
After year and half a more or less
feeble effort at concerted action has been
made. This has consisted of wireless APP
peals to Congress and to individual con-
/ EFGS5IIttH, LHIDuGH the hIUtIlCAH ASsp~
citation Of Commerce and Trade" praying
for some action. The association first
sent to most of the big American bus
mess firms in Germany a set of ques-
tions, the most important of which was,
"What do you think viii be the result if
you continue to be unable TO get goods 7"
The answers varied in wording. but
were epitomized in the reply OF the rep
resentative Of big typewriter company
declaring that a continuation OF the pres
ent situation spelled ruin. Though the
associations list of questions did not /
touch upon the point. nine tenths of the
replies pointed out that in addition TO
impending disaster, trade was slowly but
surely falling into the hands of German i
competitors.
An Associated Press correspondent
made a canvass of the larger American |
establishments in Germany-establish-
ments which for the most part have been
in business for decades, and which not
only are gradually losing their German
and Austrian business but also before
the war dealt with Germany's present
opponents, apd consequently have lost
their trade with Russia, France, Italy,
Belgium and other countries.
The list included the largest typewrt
er company in the world the largest den
tai supply firm in existence, the biggest
shoe company, in point of sales of Amer
lean goods, in Germany, large adding
machine corporation, a well known ele-
yator manufacturing concern, one of the
largest manufacturers of toilet articles in
America and other smaller concerns, but
no attempt was made to detrmine the
possible losses of esta Adjustments dealing
in eontraband, or even in conditional con-
as the latter constitutes
part of the imports of the dental sup
plies in the form of gutta percha and
rubber. The correspondents investiga
ton was confined solely to things at
present held up by the blockade which
,ould not directly serve war purposes.
Many millions of dollars worth OF
Foods either have been held up or, though
needed. have not been ordered because of
he impossibility of getting them. Many
more millions of invested capital prob
lbly will be lost completely, in the opin
on of their investors, if there is not
peedy remedy.
WIomen's and children's shoes, it is con
ended, are not contraband. Yet the B
american shoemen in Germany despair
# ever being able to get any more be-
ause they assume that England with
olds these articles on the theory that,
without American goods, Germany must
pply a considerable proportion of its
rather stock to supply its civilian popu-
tion. With American shoes for women 3
nd children this leather could be used
or soldiers footwear. -
Business men in other lines-typewTit- s.
r. for example-fail to understand 8
hat advantage the blockade can have. +
.meriea, and America only, they main
ain, is being hurt. Germany, they say,
as an abundance of metal. and the eX-
usion OF American typewriters merely &
ives the German manufacturers OF this
iachine an advantage that they have
aited for in vain since the introduction q
{ the industry here.
A considerable item in the damage to
mericans caused bv the blockade lies
overhead expenses Almost without Is
yception the principal firms here find Fl
with long term leases on
leir hands. Though they face the ne
issity Of shutting up shop within
lort time. their rents must BE- contin-
"a a. long a. they have the money to
~ them. AT have had 90 discharge
nployes. and an have been hampered &
+ losing men who have been drawn into
.e army. One adding machine company
IS reduced its subsidiary concerns from
70 %
TIE situation. az least for The firms
.aliug in mechanical 6svices. : the =