South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-01-25
LOSS TO PROPERTY
IS SIX BILLIONS
Years Will be Required to Re-
pair Damage Done in Eur
Opean War Zones.

PITTSBURGH. Pa. Jan. 25.-The
European war has caused direct
property loss. public and private. of
S5,9S5, 100000, according to a re-
port of an inquiry by the national
foreign trade council. made here to-
day 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 session will
continue three days.
The report on war losses lin
which are not included the effects
of the killing and manning of in
habitants. the disruption of indus
try and other indirect results says.
in part
The destruction of private dwell
ings is large where lighting has
taken place. but much is left that
can he used in rebuilding. Foun-
dations. I'm many cases, have re
NAMED intact The roads had been
frequently destroyed ~ retiring
troops and seriously damaged by
gun IRE and excessive use.
Bridges Are Destroyed.
The destruction of bridges can
be regarded as complete in every
fighting zone Railroad tracks have
been partly destroyed. but much has
been repaired for the use of the
army and civil population.
THE greatest enemy of industrial
property has not been military oper-
alton. but enforced idleness of ma
chinery and buildings. The furnaces
of the big iron smelters were dam
aged 10y gun fire in several cases.
The destruction Of stocks of raw ma
teriaIs was extensive. not only 10
prevent their falling into the hands
of invading armies. but through
commandments Germany has re
moved part of the machinery and
equipment Of certain Belgian plants
10 Germany 10 obtain certain raw
materials like copper or 10 furnish
German plants with additional ma
chinery.
Industries cannot return with
peace. at once TO full operation.
Neither Belgium nor France viii inn
mediately require all raw materials
machinery and industrial buildings
10 he replaced. Conditions will be
somewhat different. however. in ag-
ricultural districts, where production
has been continue. Fields must be
worked immediately the owners re-
turn. Agricultural machinery, seeds
and building material Will be ia inn
mediate demand.
Took Year 10 Rebuild
AFTER the Balkan war IL took ap-
proXimately one year 70 rebuild de-
srroved villages 1t will require
longer i'm Belgium and France be
cause of labor losses not replaceable
from neighboriug states. Industrial
rebuilding will occupy more time.
Many new industrial buildings IN
northern France and Belgium may
consist Of temporary structures, the
total Of expense of which most like
rs Will not be more than one-third
the total value of the former build
ings.
.'The immediate needs OF the TWO
countries during the FIRST year after
the war may be as follows. ASrl-
cultural buildings. Belgium. $50
100000. and France, S50.OOO,OOC,
agricultural machinery. Tor Bel
gium. $4,000. 600; France $4,000
600: industrial buildings. for Bel
gium. 500. goo; France. $50
OGO. 600: mining machinery, for Bel
gium. 100000. 900; France. $40
coo. 00C. iron industry machinery.
for Belgium. S1O.000.000. France.
500. 10000. food making machines,
for Belgium. S3.0O0.OOO. France,
S1Q-0Onn1G. chemical machinery.