The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-08-03
AFrER.THR.WAR ECONOMICS


in the discussion by the British pre-
mier of industrial and commercial
conditions at the end Of the war. He
talked to the Commons on the sub
ject yesterday, ana what he said
there Is of only less interest to stu
dents Of the American position now
and later.
Mr.. Asquith pointed out that At
the wars end the Germans would
start with advantage, because they
would have destroyed industrial
plants in the regions occupied by
them during the hostilities. 1t IL not
difficult to appreciate what this
means. Belgium was about the most
intensively organized industrial re-
gion Of the world. The north Of
France was the seat Of the greatest
iron and textile interests Of that re-
public; the Polish industrial area,
now devastated, together with the
Baltic provinces, which the Germans
have in considerable part overrun,
was the most important part Of in
! dustrial Russia.
Germany, it is true, has not been
able to continue her foreign COM
merce. Many Of her industries have
been wholly or partly idle. But
plants are intact, and the character
istic thoroughness Of German organ
ization methods has been brought to
bear, planning everything for the in
slant resumption Of activity when
the war ends. Not only will the
Germans have their own establish
ments all ready for business the mo-
ment the worlds markets again be-
come accessible. but they will have
great quantities Of machinery that
they have transported to their own
territory from the occupied parts Of
Belgium, France, and Russia. Peace
terms may compel Germany to pay
indemnities for all these things, but
that has nothing to do with the fact
that the property will be in posses
sion Of Germany ready in every
minute detah to begin operation and
competition for the worlds business,
while Germany's competitors will be
delayed in resuming commercial ac-
tivities.
Nor is this all. Premier Asquith
further points out that Germany will
have her merchant marine, now in
termed all over the world, handed
back to her, ready to transport the
products that German establishments
will begin turning out. The mer-
chaht fleets Of the rest>ef the world
are already busy to their fullest ca
pacity. If the industries Of France,
England, and Belgium could resume
production at their normal rates the
day after war ended, they would not
be able to get to market in COMPETE
ton with Germany, whose maritime
establishment will be just that much
/ Of carrying power added to the
worlds tonnage, and all of it. nat
urally, will be set at work to help
win back Germany's markets.
The problem is almost as much for
the United States as for the entente
powers to consider. We shall sud-
denly note sharp slackening of Eu-
ropean interest in the matter Of pro-
viding bottoms in which to move our
products; for the reason that the
European countries that are now SO
anxious to get our products will then
be equally concerned to move their
own, and to take advantage Of their
control of shipping to reinstate
themselves in markets that lately
have been invaded by Americans.
These are conditions which need
the careful consideration of business
and governmental authority In this
country. 1t must be said that, SO
far as governmental agencies are
concerned at least, there is little evil
dence Of the proper appreciation of
the exipency.