Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1916-11-24
PREPARE TO FIGHT
EUR0PE'S TRADE WAR
ADMINISTRATION Is GATHERING
ALL DATA POSSIBLE THROUGH
CONSULAR AGENTS.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 24.-The
prospective European commercial
war after the war, viewed with in
creasing seriousness here. is being
watched carefully by American con-
sular officers abroad, whose reports
and many from other sources are be-
iEg received regularly at the state
department.
1t became known this week that
all available facts are being sent on
to Washington, both as to the prog
ress already made in planning the
economic struggle and as to expected
future developments.
Officials here think the American
people do not fully realize the pos
sible effects of such post bellum
strife on their huge foreign trade,
which has passed the $4,000, 900
mark annually. Uncertain as to the
future and varying as are all the re-
ports, no doubt is felt here that the
&C untry faces a grave economic dan
ger unless it does all possible first to
fCrestall such struggle, and. sec
oEdly, to prepare against it in case
present indications are borne out.
Will Seek Legislation.
Legislation along this line will be
sought in congress. The Webb bill,
allowing American firms to unite for
foreign trade without violation of the
antitrust laws, is to be urged again
in the Presidents next address. The
shipping board, provided at the last
congress, is expected to be named
shortly and to submit a program de-
signed to free Americas seaborne
trade from dependence on foreign
lotions.
A maximum and minimum tariff
automatically to favor friends and
punish those discriminating against
American goods is another proposed
means of defense which will be SUBJ
mitted for consideration by the new
tariff commission.
: The state department is deeply in
terested in the threatened trade COM
rlexities and it is largely for this rea-
son that as many consular officers as
happen to be in this country at the
time will be sent to the fourth an
nual meeting of the national foreign
trade council at Pittsburg, January
1927.
Think Hatred Will Rule.
Reports to the department vary
widely in their Interpretation of the
probabilities abroad. 1t is apparent
that personal hatred among the
masses will result in a practical boy
cctt against goods from countries
now hostile. Doubt is expressed,
however, as to whether an actual
trade war, as proposed by the Lon
don Chamber of Commerce. or colo
MES, allies, friendly neutrals, un-
friendly neutrals and enemies will be
decreed by official act.
Nevertheless, it is pointed out that
the provisions of the Paris economic
conference of last June, which
sought to bind the allies to CONNER
clal unity as against the rest of the
world, already to large degree have
been carried out. The blacklist,
there adopted, was shortly made pub
lie. Mutual concessions and free
dem from certain tariffs also fol-
lowed. Raw materials have been
placed very largely under allied dom
ination.
officials therefore are disturbed
lest completion of part of the policy
presages the completion of much
mere of it, Likewise reports from
Investigators who have recently re-
turned from Europe show that fear
and suspicious of the United States
are increasing in both belligerent
communities. In England the ENG
land first" campaign has been direct
ed very largely against American
goods. which could be replaced by
British. In Germany some Of the
largest companies are putting out
advertisements decrying purchase OF