New Britain herald., 1916-05-20
Especial to the ITerald.)

and strike their strongest blow, without which it seems certain they
 will not consent to peace. There fore, while the desire for peace exists, and while some preliminary efforts in it's direction are entirely
 within the range of probability, the outlook for an actual suspension of hostilfties appears remote.
 The Mexican trouble seems to have
 passed out of serious consideration as a market factor, although still a source of considerable anxiety to the administration at Washington. Poli-
 tics also appear to be a factor of minor importance from the business standpoint, and this campaign is at tracing less interest than any presi- dental contest in many years, mainly
 of course because it is overshadoWed in the public mind by war in
 Europe and our own difficulties with
 Mexico.
 Labor Outlook.
 The labor outlook is causing con- siderable perplexity in industrial circles. Wages have advanced in
 many instances, especially in muni- tiOn plants, as a result of war profits. It is recognized, however, that war profits are purely ephemeral, and that when peace comes, as it might within the year, these will quickly melt away, including the extra profits enjoyed by many of the industrials outside of the war group. There are really two points of view regarding the labor outlook. One is that when the war is over, If not before there will be a slump in everything pertain ing to the munition industry; that a sharp international struggle will inn m ediately begin for the markets of the world; that Europe will be on a much lower cost basis than the United States; that in consequence cur exports of manufa ctures, which nearly trebled in the last nine months,l would shrink back to their former basis; and that consequently there will be over-productiOn and a sharp industrial setback followed by lower prices and vanishing profits. It is quite certain that sooner of later some readjustment will be necessary, if we are to meet foreign competition and gain the firm footing in the worlds foreign markets which is be- coming a national ambition. Profits will have to return to normal, and ( osts will undoubtedly be reduced. But the question that chiefly per plcXes managers is, will labor be willing to accept it's share of the in cVitable readjustment? Probably not, and this is a difficulty that may have to be solved before many months have passed. There is still arothcr point of view, which is this:
 Keen foreign competition may ad- be unavoidable when the war s over; but it is argued that we will )e better prepared to meet that com petition than is generally supposed. Foreign competition, it Is argued, will lot be so severe as many imagine, be- 'ause wages in Europe will remain relatively high owing to the reduced supply of labor and the excessive axes which labor will have to aid in paying. Furthermore, neither Ger ! many nor Great Britain will waste | much time before endeaVOrlng to re- l gain lost ground: their recovery and | will necessarily be grad l lal; consequently whit labor may re- l ist a readjustment it will probably l gradually compromise as readers come l o realize irresistible conditions. Such l Ire the widely divergent views Of the 1 abor outlook It is a question if eith- 1 IT. view is entirely correct, and sol l ltiOn in all probability will be found | between the two. An important fac | or in the abOr outlook will be the inn | migration movement; some authorities | a large outflow from tLis country when peace arrives, Willie | thcrs anticipate a large influx. The alter is the most probable, because f the unwillingncss and the difficult ics which soldiers will experience in etuTning to their former occupations Moreover, the better opportunities of cred in this country will attract large 1 numbers from countries where depreS- ion is kcenest. Great Britain is al eady calculating upon many of her non leaving the United Kingdom and $ planning to divert them to her col nies. Canada already being en- aged in making plans and induce nents for their coming. A large in lux to this country must also be eX- 'octed from Russia, Hungary, I>aly, nd possibly from Germany; though he latter is prObematiCal and would e offset by the large number expect ng to return to the Fatherland for amily and financial reasons as well s from motives of curiosity and in- crest.
 Our Foreign Trade.
 The effect of the war upon our for l ign trade can be realized by the fact l hat between it's commencement in ] 914 and the end of last March, our 1 Xports have reached the stupendOus l otal of nearly $4,000, 100000. Our 1 imports during the same period were ,lmOst $1,000, 0,000,000, so that the ex- ess exports during the war period nave been approximately $3,0OO,OOO,- , 00. In addition we exported S71,- 100 00O of silver net