New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-01-11
COmmOnSCaIIS on All
DOminiOnS to Aid in
Starving Foe.
CRIPPLE TEUTON
TRADE, is CRY
Runciman Tells Parlia-
ment Allies Must Pre-
vent Commerce War.

House Of Commons tonight was chiefly
remarkable for the unanimity Of the
members in urging the government 20
exert the largest possible degree Of
economic pressure on Germany and IN
recommending that steps be taken IN
medintely TO prevent any menace froV
/ German trade warfare directed against
the Allies after peace is signed.
A resolution was passed without dl-
vision that. with view to increasing
the power OF the Allies in the prosecu-
tiol Of the war, his msjesty's govern
ment should enter into immediate con-
sultation with the governments Of the
dominions, in order. with Their aid. 20
bring the whole economic strength Of
the empire in cooperation with the Al
lies in a policy directed against the
enemy"
The principal speech was made b.
Walter Runciman, president OF the
Board Of Trade. whose emphatic dec
larations of the Importance Of main
tanning British trade were regarded as
largely directed toward making clear
( the position which caused him 70 hesi-
tate to indorse Premier Asquith's COM
pulslon policy last week.
Must Cripple Germany.
while the war is on" Mr.. Runci-
man said. I've must do everything IN
our power to cripple and destroy Ger
man finance. credit and trade, at the
same time building up our Own and our
allies and laying the foundation Tor
future action when peace comes
.'The Board of Trade is looking ahead.
We must ask the cooperation OF our
dominions. We must see that control
of the metals of the empire passes en-
tirely from German hands. We must
keen control Of the worlds coal. We
must secure control Of the supply Of
oil
AS regards shipping, We must see
rot have free run OF our ports TO the
disadvantage Of our ships. While the
war is on We must do everything IN
our power to destroy German finance.
credit and trade.
The work Of the Board Of Trade
shall be TO see that after the war Ger
many does not have the opportunity Of
reorganizing her commercial system
before our trade mas begun TO flow IN
ever-increasing volume, TO see that Ter
many has no chance 20 reconstruct her
war machinery.
In the course of the debate there
were some references TO the danger OF
competition with the United states,
which one member declared would be
"A more form midable competitor after the
war than Germany. To this John Hal
ford Mackinder, Unionist, for Glasgow.
replied expressing the affection OF
Great Britain for America.
"The member has spoken OF America
as dangerous commercial rival, ne
said but | cannot conceive of that
competition taking the complex scien-
tine and destructive form OF Germany
competition
Germany Feels Strain.
"There are signs" said Mr. Runcl-
man. that az last Germany Is begin.
nine to feel the economic pressure OF
our blockade. Her food supplies are
becoming depleted. while ours are IN
creasing. Although our exports nave
fallen and our imports risen, there IS
no doubt that the economic strength OF
Great Britain is so well founded that
We can stand the strain Iar better than
the Central Powers.
Bread riots in Berlin and IN nearly
every other bic German city 90 not
occur without good reasons. we nave
deprived the enemy Of many neeessIties
Of warfare and possibly some OF the
necessities of lie. Her stocks OF raw
materials are giving out. Economic
pressure. possibly better tnan any
other means. will ultimately persuade
Germany of the fruitIessness OF con-
tinuing the struggle.
ave can stand the strain longer than
Germany" continued Mr.. Runciman,
"aud If W. husband our resources the
disaster that will fall upon her VIII De
almost irreparable. We must make X
closr however. that when peace comes
We will not permit the outbreak OF the
economic war which Germany would
wage against ourselves and our allies
Sees No Free Trade.
Discussing the suggestion OF free
trade within the British Empire, Mr.
Runciman remarked that the domn-
ions Of Great Britain we're not likely
10 alter their methods or their atti-
,ude toward the mother country. The
colonies were determined to raise their
revenue and TO foster their industries
in their own way. and he vas afraid
the idea OF free trade within the en-
,ire must be dismissed.
II feel the same way OF me proposed
zollverein TO lrcludc all the Allies.
but If such an arrangement prove es-
sential 20 end the war successfully We
.hall have H. for there is no arrange
ment that the Allies are not prepared
10 make 10 that end.
Nj. Runcimau declared that the Brit
ish Empire would recuperstc after the
war e. ter than any other country.
Then u will be our duty n added,
"fo aid as far a. vc can France. Russia.
Itsly and our other allies. would
even add Germany A. he bottom Of the
loatirud Oh paxe q column