New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-06-20

Public Instruction and Fine Arts Tells of the Great Opportunity
fore Conmerc d
the Two Countries

, one of her customers. We want America 20
know France as living and vita. force so
that America will seek France for invest
ments and help Us in our rebuilding.
"The war will have a great stimulating ef-
feet on all the economic, commercial, social
and political life 81 France. The first e.
fects will be seen in the economic and COM
mercal life. The war will leave France with
a great debt 10 be paid which will take
heavy toll from the countrys remaining cap
ital and impose a heavy burden Of taxes on
all In addition there will be the direct losses
all classes have suffered as a result OF the
war and which must be made up not only on
account Of the present generation out for the
future generations.
with a living people these conditions
have always stimulated national energy. See
America, especially the Southern States, after
the War Of Secession. In the South the peo-
ple. impoverished by the war 20 the last de-
gree. have in half a century not only re-
covered their position but become great
centre of Industry and increased their wealth
and possessions a hundredfold.
Higher Wages and Prices
"The war has increased wages 10 all the
belligerent countries. and in France as all the
. others. 1 ne HDihlllE NAtANoN' t.'+'r
customed 10 handle larger sums weekly ana
after the war il will be impossible 90 call back
wages 70 the old rates Moreover, when peace
comes wages must remain high IN order 70
ENABLE labor 10 take ITS part in paying tne
cost of war. Another effect OF war on LABOR
has been 20 widen greatly the field OF women
work. Women have taken up the work Of men
in many industries. They have shown taet
ability 70 do the work, and after the war 'ne'
will continue TO supply their share OF me
main d'9uvre.
zone result Of higher wages will Be higher
prices for the products. This condition WI"
be true Of all beligerent countries ana me
consequence will be that the French maraet in
goods she has been accustomed 90 import
7 from Germany, for example-wil be openeD
20 American products on a more nearly com
petitive level than has ever been the case
heretofore .,
IN resuming her normal life France WI"
need machinery, tools, supplies OF All hNu''
and this will be one Of the first great he'ls
opened 20 American enterprise. mere WI,
be a great opportunity in the rebuilding o.,
the invaded districts There France VIII H,''
everything that a modern civilized com'h-''.t
requires except the actual land ana >
part of these requirements must De Ni'eo .''
outside. The demand will come pracNe-''
at one time, and 10 would be impos'.'.e
France herself 20 supply materials .' '''
quantities as will be required. therefore
sbe must look 10 America both for capital ana
supplies.
Vast Increase In Commerce
In return, France expects to hnd in A"''
lea a market for her reestablished .nils'l.'
Il will be the renaissance or commerce ,
will rebuild France after the war one
require much, but she will give mucn }" 90
change The community Of interest tnA' '.
participation OF America IN the reDula's
France will lead 20 between the TWO eoun'.'
will not only bring America into France
will take France into America ana oi."s ,..
two nations and the two peoples INTO
and intimate touch. into an exchange OF n.'
terial goods and an exchange OF tnoDs".
inspiration as well.
after this war the work Of the comm
cial renaissance Of France and the feO1'.-''
of the invaded districts will lead nature
an introduction Of American engineering '1o"t
and American inventions into France ana '"e
American engineers and inventors VIII tAA'
home with them French ideas, trehch eng
neering achievements and French inventions
There will be an exchange Of thought AZ we"
as material things between the TWO countries
] France will take from America anu give III
return.
"Our countries are the two great repNo.c'
Of the world, founded on the same prnclpie'
and ideals Their blood mingled az their
births America is to-day giving again 90
France her blood and treasure. The future
must serve only TO unite them more ei0seY
snd more firmly"