The sun., 1916-11-19

than 1000 mites ny motor. Besides In
cludins Paris, Bordeaux and Rouen,
our journey extended os far south as
MarseiIles and as far cast as Belfort.
In other words. we visited all the chief
Industrial centres Of the French nation
and made many side excursions OF
lively incidental interest.
I'VE did not cross the ocean to sell
goods. We were not a band OF high
class commercial travellers looking for
new business, as some OF the Ameri-
can newspapers when we started
seemed to think; We were explorers
rather In psychology than In CONNER
cial opportunities.
II think I voice the views OF the en-
tire commission when ! say that we
al realized before VIC started that the
only way In which American COM
merce can be benefited In Europe lies
In the exchange Of goods rather than
In the mere sale In Europe OF Ameri-
can goods. American goods must be
sold In France. as In England. but IN
America French and English goods
must be purchased.
"lf American goods are TO be pur-
chased In Europe and European goods
in America then American and Euro
pean business men thoroughly must
understand ono another.
"This Is particularly a condition
necessary to successful Franco-Ameri-
can trade. We not only have been
studying Frcnchmcn and trying TO
know them, but We have been begging
them to study us and to try to know
us. Business cannot DO conducted que
cessfully between strangers.
"Our task has been 20 learn how
best to establish mutually beneficial
commercial relationships no: between
the two Governmental, but between the
two peoples. The irst inevitably will
follow the second. I think tho Journey
has succeeded in moro ways than one.
although II you should ask me TO
designate concrete results ] should
find difficulty IN 50 doing.
"Vvhat VIC have achieved IL IN IN
expected admiration and friendship
for the business men Of the great Eu-
ropean republic. and We have tried TO
make them understand this. II they
have found us cne-hI: AZ pleasing
as we havc found them. thcn we are
leaving behind US n very fine impress
sion. That result may not be rcck-
oncd a concrete business Sa!n by some
We believe II to be Of greater mo-
ment than many things usually re-
garded as moro definite.
Tho fact that We must give IS
we'll az take to-day Ii clear to every
49, go arkaHhnp ~ mt ~ yr09 nj
the start. we know that any future
business plans which may succeed
must be reciprocal. We have endeav-
ored to show france thst America
understands the unwisdoin o: TRYING
to cultivate international commercial
| conditions which will rot help on bot!
sides Of the ocean.
Not only the French business mar
but Franco ns a whole, ard especially
the French woman. surprised us. do
lighted us, impressed us. Everywhere
re met with the most cordial welcome
Nowhere was tho slightest sian oil
that feeling Of hostility against Amer
leans which has been alleged IN some
American newspapers. We learned
many thinss, principal among then
being a new realization o. the true
grandeur OF our sister republic or tho
| European continent.
"Out Of our visit. In the miuds, J
! think, OF all OF us, has been born I
dream OF tho possibilities OF cooper
alton and a growing friendship be.
| tween the nations. We can't help the
! business men OF Franco II they CON,
want our help. but they do. We cant
help them X we don't want their help
but wo do. II we help tholn they vii
help us. and the whole world vii
profit.
Each country has achieved grca'
things. and from the achievements o.
each country the other may lear!
much. Our problems have differed
because Of the difference OF orr nat
ural and national resources, but mu'
tual comparison Of experiences will h
mutually helpful. In a general NAY
1t may be saiJ that France can .cari
much Of ~ regarding large sca!'
work, while We a learn very mon!
things OF France concerning detail.
"a new sort @. contact between
Franco ard tho United States Is mos
dosirablc and must 10 brought abou
by business men. In the past tn
contact nae been principally that o
American travellers who came {,
France as to n playground. PERHAPS
we have not taken France very SO
r.ousiy. Perhaps France has judge
US too much by u pleasure seekers
I'VE never have had 4 quarrel.
think II most improbable that we eve
shall have ono; but ia the future ",