Arizona republican., 1916-08-21
The Country's Prosperity"

That the country has been prosperous fin spots" during the last two years is undenabe. Our demo- cratic friends are claiming that the result a wise administration and of them have the attribute the prosperity" oper ation of the democTatc tariff law. though to of common sense it is apparent that the war which has involved all the great manufacturing and trading tions of Europe, and has engrossed their energies has raised stronger protective barrier about than any protective tariff law could have built. Yet. in spite of this apparent fact shall hear much dur ing the campaign of democratic prosperity 1t will be preached in communities, and there many which have not felt it.
 We have better explanation of this prosperity than democratic friends give There is in this organization called the National For eign Trading Council non- partisan body, which has been Investigating the effect of the European war on American overseas cdmmerce It submitted it's report Saturday and found that excess of exports during two-year period of prosperity" the following
 Abnormal war demand and prices for munitions foodstuffs and materials.
 Elimination of normal European competition through occupation of European factories in mun- tions productions.
 Loss of labor through enlistment or conscripton and belligerent restriction of normal exportation
 Curtaiment of investment of European capital in neutral markets normally stimulus to European export trade.
 These abnormal conditions having prevailed in the export trade for nearly two years, many Americans are in danger of relying upon them permanent.
 No falacy,' says the report, ifs possible than neglect expect after the the following developments:
 ons reduction of prevailing high prices for exported foodstuffs and materials by of renewed European competition, normal transportation and in teruational movement of raw materials.
 Resumption of EIropean competition in home and neutral markets by of return of sol diers industry and the lifting of military embargo from exportation.
 Renewed activity of European export and import combinations with increased governmental support and possibly preferential tariff and navigation engagements under economic alliances.
 Renewal rapidly as business of conditions and national international fiscal policy that will permit of European investment in neutral markets the effective method of creating foreign pre- ference for merchandise of leading nations European finance has been nodded to protect tradewnning foreign investments; their nourshment will be neglected with peace.
 Thus the democratic administration and the democratic tariff have so far been put to no test An absolute free trade policy would not. in the cumstances of the war have affected commercial relations with foreign countries There is nothing the administrations however -brained and foolish could have done to prevent the prosperity" we enjoyed. It automatic and irresistible. The de- mand for munitions of war and war supplies well as for commodities which the warning nations had ceased producing. would have been just in- sistent if the president his cabinet and the demo cratic congress had spent the last two years in sound uninterrupted sleep.
 But the real test the report shows us is com ing with peace. Then there will be a struggle in which government will have be alert and wise The report contains suggestion that there shall be a change of government Its advice is directed the government. but at it's members. and pro- ducers and traders generally. the methods that should govern them when with peace America finds the trading world arrayed against it. and when the warning nations begin a movement to recover their lost commercial and financial trenches
 The government will of course. be expected to do something. It. must be alert and wise. otherwise the manufacturers and traders will be left helpless against foreign competitors backed by their ments.
 As Between Friends