The Goldfield news and weekly tribune. [volume] (Goldfield, Nev.) 1911-1947, 1917-06-16
GERMANY'S POTASH THREAT

Germanys publicity campaign in this country has not been
silenced by the declaration of war. We are now hearing of
reprisals that will follow the end of the war. One of these
threats was recently uttered by the famous Professor Ostwald
of Leipzig university, who said that Germanys potash supply
would be used after the war to dictate which of the nations
shall have plenty of food and which shall starve. Germany
will be exhausted by this war, and her future will depend on
the success of her endeavors to regain her foreign trade.
americans can snap their fingers at such a threat as this. Our
markets have been and will be Germany's most important for.
ei9n outlet, and exclusion from them would spell ruin for the
empire, if it remains an empire after peace is declared.
If Germany tries to force our government to grant such
trade privileges as German manufacturers and exporters de-
sire by threatening to withhold from us supplies of potash salts
so largely used as fertilizer, we shall not be without power to
exact trade reprisals on our own part. As far as fertilizers
are concerned. Germany needs our phosphates, even more
than w need her potash. The main ingredients in all good
commercial fertilizers are nitrate, phosphate and potash
Germany possesses a practical monopoly of potash salts which
can be mined cheaply in large quantities, but there are many
other sources from which potash may be derived.
Potash S a very widely distributed element, and alunite
reldspar and granite contain large proportions of it in some
what refractory form. Considerable quantities of potash are
now being recovered as a by-product in cement making and in
iron production. One cement plant in this country is now pro-
ducing and marketing about six hundred tons of potash salts "a
month. and the industry is only in its infancy. The alkaIi
lakes in the west are now yielding considerable potash and
much of the very best erode is now being made from kelp on
the Pacific coast.
Those who are familiar with the history of aluminium do
not despair of producing potash at reasonable prices in this
country. Aluminium, like potash, is a very widely distributed
element. and, as it happens. a large percentage of potash is
found in the rock from which aluminium is most successfully
extracted. At one time aluminium was very high in price and
was regarded as a curiosity rather than a commercial metal.
but the cost Of extracting it has been reduced year by year
until now it completes successfully with copper as wire for
the transmission of electric current.
We have arrived at the point where we know that we can
produce a large quantity of potash at a price. 1t is probable
that Germany will be able to undersell American producers of
potash in open markets for some years to come, but Germany
cannot starve us by refusing to sell potash to our fertilizer
manufacturers. Then again. if the French regain their lost
provinces, they will secure possession of very large deposits
of potash salts which have not been extensively worked, but
the value of which has been thoroughly proven by the Ger
mans.
Cotton and tobacco growers need potash as fertilizer more
than any other class of farmers. IF our farmers will raise
plenty of livestock and scientifically diversity their crops,
they will be able to get along without potash salts. For the
sake of argument let it be granted that potash salts are neces-
sary for the production of cotton and tobacco. Germany is
wholly dependent on other countries for tobacco and cotton,
and most of these commodities which she consumes come from
the United States.
The Germans smoke more tobacco in pipes than any other
people and would miss it more even than beer. Germanys
whole textile trade would be ruined if the mills could not get
American cotton. Germany cannot afford to refuse Americans
potash salts while she depends as completely on this country
for tobacco and cotton as she has done in the past. In this
case we. and not Germany, hold the whip hand.
Professor OSWALD must have a typical Teutonic mind. lie
apparently has hypnotized himself into believing that Germany
is invinciblc in trade as we'll as in war. Until within the last
rich by trading with other countries. AS her foreign commerce
expanded her dependence on the rest of the world became
greater. She was and will be forced to depend on others for
nickel. tin. copper, cotton. silk, wool, mineral oil, rubber and a
large part of the food which she consumes. Practically all
these commodities were furnished to her before the war by
those who are now arraypd against her.
Nothing short of domination of the whole world can Sc
cure for her the things she needs if she elects to wage a trade
w with the United States and our allies after peace is de-
clared. Americans need lose no sleep about German potash
Germany will come to us hat in hand offering it as soon rs she
can ship it.