The sun., 1916-11-22
FEAR FORAMERICLN
TRADE AFTER WAR
Officials Think People} 10 Not
Realize Grave Danger
Country Faces.
PREPAREDNESS Is URGED
Effort to Be Made to FOrestall
Economic Struggle-Legis-
latiOn Sought.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 2i.-The pro4pcc-
tive European commercial war after the
war. viewed with increasing seriousness
here. Is being watched carefully by
American consular ofices abroad and
reports are being received regularly at
the State Department from many differ
ent sources. 1t became known to-day
that'ali available facts are being sent to
Washington both as to the rogress al
ready made In planning this economic
struggle and a to expected future de-
velopmenB.
Officials here think the American peo-
pie do not fully realize the possible ef-
fects of such ~post-bellum strife on their
huge foreign trade. which has passed the
$4,000. 000. 900 mark annually. Uncer-
tain as the future H. and varying as are
all the reports. no doubt Ia felt here that
the country faces a grave economic dan
ger unless It does all possible. frst. to
forestall such a struggle. and. second. TO
prepare against II In case present indica-
tions are borne out.
Legislati0n Sought.
Legislation along this line will be
sought In Congress.
The Webb bill, allowing American
Arms to unite for foreign trade without
violation Of the antitrust laws n to be
urged again in the Presidents next ad-
dress.
The shipping Board. provided at the
last Congress, Is expected to be named
shortly and to submit a programme de-
signed to free Americas sea borne trade
from dependence on foreign bottoms.
A maximum and minimum tariff auto
matically to favor friends and punish
those discriminating against American
goods Is another proposed means Of de-
fence which will be submitted for con-
sideration by the new tariff commission
Reports to the Department vary
widely In their Interpretation Of the
probabilities abroad. 1t is apparent that
personal hatred among the masses will
result In practical boycotts against goods
from countries now hostile. Doubt is
expressed. however. IA to whether an
actual trade war. az proposed by the
London Chamber Of Commerce. with
different tariffs for colonies. Allies,
friendly neutrals. unfriendly neutrals and
enemies. will be decreed by official act.
Nevertheless 1t is pointed out that
the provisions OF the Paris economic
conference Of last June. which sought
to bind the Allies to commercial unity
as against the res, OF the world. already
to a large degree have been carried out.
The blacklist there adopted was shortly
made public. Mutual concessions and
freedom from certain tariffs also fol-
lowed. Raw materials have been placed
very largely under allied domination.
Officials therefore are disturbed lest
completion OF part OF the policy presages
the completion of much more Of II.
Against a.. y. Goods.
The soclalizlng OF %beliigerent States
foreign trade. In England change from
the traditional policy Of free rad to
protection is being moro and more
widely urged. The movement for Eng
LAND fst' to the disadvantage OF other
nations IL reported to be recasting the
empires economic life. Industry Is be-
ing quickened from small scale isolated
production to huge large scale output. 4
foreign trade bank with a capital Of
$4,000 900 has been founded by tho
Government. Control OF all steamship
lines and OF the country's coal supply is
being urged on the Government.
In England the England first cam
paign has been directed very largely
against American goods which could not
be replaced by British. In Germany
some OF the largest companies are put
ting out advertisements decrying the
purchase OF American goods on the
ground that American munitions are
now killing German soldiers.