The Detroit times., 1916-11-29
Trade is Nations Life
And Europe Will Fight
For 1t After the War

Altho it is thought that the Federal
Reserve act will serve as a balance and
prevent panic in business at the close OF
the war, the National Board Of Com
merce and other business organizations
are formulating plans TO insure the
United States against possible terrific
business slump and general bad times
when the enormous expectation Of Ameri-
can products shall have been curtailed.
A journal which acts as spokesman
for Wall-st. states that there will be de-
mand for steel for at least two years fol-
lowing the wars end. needed for con-
structiye purposes, but it is the opinion Of
experts that following that time Europe
will be able to protect herself commercial
ly in that production which is the com
modify which rules the markets Of the
world today.
Immediately at the close Of the war,
directors Of the National Board Of Com
merce believe that European countries
will place high duties on all imports in
order to safeguard their OWN manufac-
lures.
Mutual agreements have already been
made between Austria and Germany
under the name of the Central European
Lollverein, while representatives Of the
Allied powers met in Paris as long ago as
last June and laid plans which would con-
frx. ko tnI 4rta oil of %
resources for the entire period Of recon
struction.
1t is thought that raw material from
Europe will be very scarce and that the
manufacturer here will suffer; also that
Europe will be poor customer for our
goods, thus cutting down the profits at
both ends.
II trade wars are to be avoided in Eu-
rope, careful planning will have 10 be
done, for, unless all countries are gwen z
just opportunity and share in the mark
cts of the world, this war brought on fol
commercial reasons, will bring about i'm
mediately rivalry Of armaments anc
will only be the first of a terrible series
If the European countries are con
fronted with the necessity for huge mill
tary appropriations to maintain armies and
navies, they will be hopelessly buried in
debt and no permanent peace can be
looked for. For trade is the financial life
blood of the nation and when a country
fights for it. it is. to all intents and pur.
poses fighting for its life
Therefore the National Board Of Com
merce of the United States and others ar,
studying this question with all the busi
ness acumen at their command, and tn,
ploblem which they believe will con
front this country the first of all is the
tariff.
They believe that all theoretical idea
on that subject must be temporarily lai
aside TO met an emergency never befor
encountered. TlNy believe that tn
tariff must be graduated so as to protec
us from being swamped with cheap Eu
ropean goods, while at the same time be
ing low enough so as not TO restrict OK
portation They believe that business in
terests should not be kept from uniting
as they will have to compete with unitini
interests abroad
Next they believe that there will be
serious shortage of labor which will hav
to be met by women or the Negro, 70
Il is almost certain that the able-bodie'
men of Europe will be kept at home t,
assist in the work of reconstruction.
Last we must learn to conserve our re
sources and do away with the materia
waste which is no longer an individual
but a national crime. and We must also
work out some arrangement whereby la
Dor troubles may be adjusted and the
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80. +. +. /. I. ..