New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-14
GERMANY MAKES
READY FOR PEACE
Government Adopts Ener-
getic Measures to Meet
Transition Problems
Frnnkfort-on-the-Mdin

laced by plenllluue Vi PiVOiSii''
as a consequence the belligerents
must to-day prepare themselves for
this new time. The change from
war economics to peace economics is
therefore one of the most serious
tasks for the practical economist.
If one should not make preparations,
the conclusion of peace would sure
" bring the most serious economic
crisis Of all times.
We only have to think Of the food
ing back of many millions Of active
men fit for work and in need of it
after the war has ceased, and Of the
cessation of war orders, today keep
ing alive in Germany and in the
ether countries the entire industry.
Or we might think on the reopening
Of the frontiers for the importation
Of raw materials and many other
products.
The German government has al
ready created special bureau which
is to prepare for the solution OF
these problems: a few days ago one
of the first citizens of the State of
Hamburg was appointed as "Reichs-
kommissar fir die Ueberganswirt-
schaft" Imperial Commissioner for
the Period of Economic Transltion).
He is to find ways and means Of pro-
viding the returning soldiers with
the necessary work, and Of prepar-
ing the caretaking necessary for the
entire army Of those wounded IN the
war. Above all, he is to arrange for
the removal of the female workers
from the workrooms and factories.
For to-day there is hardly any occu-
nation which is not carried on by
women. Women are not only found
busy as conductors on the street
railroads, and as walters in the
hotels, but also as factory workers
doing heavy manual labor which for
merlv was the exclusive domain of
man. In all the deciding circles it
is uniformly realized that such a
state of affairs is not desirable and
must be eliminated after the war as
soon as possible.
To Restore Working Regulations
The same is true in regard to the
present state Of legislation for the
protection Of workers. 1t is well
known that Germany-since Bis
marck-has put on the statute book
the extraordinarily far-reaching
legislation designed to protect work
ers against illness and over-exertion,
as well as against exploitation by the
employer. Especially the regulations
about working at night are extreme
" rigid. The war has necessitated
partial suspension Of these regula-
tions in order to fulfil the enormous
task demanded by the administration
Of the army. The German govern
ment wishes TO restore the old condi-
tons in these matters as quickly as
possible.
Another question Of unusual inn
portance is the one of arranging
credits for the supply of raw mate
rails. Should the government not
take very energetic hand in the
solution of this question, the danger
exists that the middle classes would
be pushed into a perilous situation
IS consequence of the war, and
that more and more the smaller con-
Germs would be eaten up by the
Riesenkonzerne (giant concerns).
Already to-day one observes how as
a consequence of the huge war profits
the very large enterprises are ex-
panding further and further, and are
absorbing weaker and smaller COM
panies. It is therefore planned to
put at the disposal of the middle
classes liberal lines of credits for
long periods and also the necessary
raw materials.
Will Restrict Purchases
Il is not feasible that after the war
every manufacturer may at once
purchase from foreign countries as
much raw material as he wishes to
have. rs that would greatly endanger
the value of the German exchange.
Instead of that it is likely that large
companies dealing in raw materials
will be given monopoly on the i'm
portation Of cotton, copper, grain,
etc; in that way It will be possible
TO equalize import and export and TO
raise by and by the exchange TO its
old level. The main task, though,
which has been delegated TO the new
Imperial Commissioner for the pc
Rod Of economic transition consists,
according to the words Of Secretary
Of State Helfferich, in making him
self as soon as possible superhuous.
AUSTRALIA PROHIBITS