Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1915-current, 1917-01-26
6 BILLIONS IN PROPERTY
is EURoPE'S WAR LOSS

PITTSBURG, Jan. 26.-The Euro.
pean war has caused a direct prop.
erty loss, public and private. of s5.-
9s5'0OO.OOO, according to a report OF
an inquiry by the National Foreign
Trade council. made here today at
the opening meeting of the National
Foreign Trade convention.
Hundreds of important business
leaders are here today for the con.
Vention. Many important papers will
be presented. The sessions will con.
tinue three days.
The report on war losses lin which
are not included the effects OF the
killing and manning of inhabitants,
the disruption of industry and other
indirect results) says, in part:
THE destruction of private dwell.
ings is large where fighting has
taken place, but much Is left that can
be used in rebuilding. Foundations.
In many cases, have remained intact.
The roads had been frequently de.
stroyed by retiring troops and seri.
ously damaged by gunfire and eXces.
sive use.
ihe destruction of bridges can be
regarded as complete in every fight.
ing zone. Railroad tracks have hae,
party destroyed. but much has been
repaired for the use Of the army and
civil population.
The greatest enemy OF industrial
property Hhas not been military 'oper.
alton, but enforced idleness of ma.
chinery and buildings. The furnaces
OF the big iron smelters were dam.
aged by gunfire in several cases The
destruction OF stocks of raw mater.
lais was extensive. not only 10 pro.
vent their falling into the hands of
invading armies. but through bom-
bardments. Germany has removed
part OF the machinery and equipment
oi certain Belgian plants to Ger.
many to obtain certain raw materials
Oii''' vi w iuInlSn German
pIonts with additional machinery.
industries cannot return, with
peace at once to full operation.
Neither Belgium nor France will inn.
mediately require all raw materials
machinery and Industrial buildings to
be replaced Conditions will be some.
what different, however, in agricu,.
tural districts, where production has
been continued. Fields must he
worked Immediately the owners re.
turn. Agricultural machinery seeds
ana building material will be in i'm.
mediate demand
After the Balkan war Il took an.
proNimately one year to rebuild do
stroy"d villages. 1t will require longer
In Belgium and France Sy,aii,r of
labor losses not rcplaceable from
neighboring states. Industrial re.
building will occupy more time MANY
new industrial buildings i'm Northern
France and Belgium may consist Of
temporary structures. the total of OK.
pcnsc Of which most likely will not
be more than onc-third the total value
OF the former buildings.
The immediate needs of the two
countries durirS The first year after
the war may be as follows: Agri.
cultural buildings. Belgium, $50. 900.
900, and France. $4,000, 900 agricul.
tural machinery, for Belgium. $50.
100000: France $5O,00O,0OO industrial
buildings. for Belgium. $4,000, 900:
France, Sj,O0O.0OO: mining machinery.
for Belgium, 100000, 900; France. $40.
100000; iron industry machinery. for
Belgium, S70.00O.O0O: France. $50.
100000; food making machines. for
Belgium. S3.0OOOO0: France. SO, 900.
600, chemical machinery, for Belgium.
S6,O00.O00: France. S6,00O.OOO: textile
for Belgium, sos, 900. 900:
France. S50,O0O.0OO: electrical machin.
cry and equipment for Belgium.
Sl$O.OOO,OO0; France, $4,000, 900; wood.
working machinery, for Belgium,
$2O.00O,00O; France. $tS.OOO.OO paper
machinery. for Belgium, s..
100000; France $3.000,00O.
That Germany cannot resume her