New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1917-12-29
Henry Clews
Weekly Letter


Over 100000 men are under arms
in Europe, whose energies have been
turned from production to destruc-
ton. Over 100000 men have been
killed or permanently injured since
the war began. the killed alone num-
bestng over 100000. Over $780,
100000 have already been ex-
'pendeC by the nations at war and at
cost will exceed 10000. 5000 when
the end OF the fourth year is reached
next August.
When it is remembered that for
every man at the front from three
to five are required at the rear for
his support, it follows that between
100000 and 200, 100000 men have
been withdrawn from the normal
channels Of production into the alb
normal. No wonder that the world
IL facing q serious economic famine,
not only In food and clothing. but
also in the innumerable materials re-
quired for human comfort and sup
port. The loss in life and money only
partly measures the colossal bill for
N10A44A800s WHICH WILL OS d uSIllIG5
burden for generations Such a bill
must also include the setback to
moral and spiritual forces, the in
heritance Of bitterness, the detri-
mental effects upon art, literature,
science, education and all the varied
social and political activities which
are part of our civilization. These
are losses that will leave their i'm
press upon the nations for many fu-
ture decades. The material losses
such as destruction OF factories, rail-
roads, ships, cities, etc, though less
important than those just mentioned,
are visible ana more readily offset by
new energies and resources that will
promptly develop with the advent of
peace. ',..>..
The huge cost Of this war can be
appreciated when it is considered that
the six great wars preceding-the
usso-Japanese, the Boer, the Franco
Pfusgian. the American Civil war, the
Crimean and the Napo1eonic wars
cost about $23,000,0O0.Oo0. as against
0.0OO. 100000, the estimate of this
war up to next August. Great Britain
will then have spent $34, ZOO, 900. 900,
including $4,000, 100000 in loans t.
Allies. and good authorities estimate
that in these three years the warning
powers will have quadrupled their
debts, the interest on which already
amounts to $5,000,0O0. It would seem
as IL such burdens would break the
back Of any nation, yet the tremen-
dous development of resources. and
the great potential recuperative pow
ers Of the various nations afford good
basis for the belief that, recovery will
be more rapid than expected. This
country will recover with a bound
when peace comes. and the gain from
our exports and newly opened mar
kets Will largely offset present losses.
Great Britain will certainly recuper-
ate rapidly. as she has always done
after each war. Germany will make
tremendous efforts at recovery, though,
Handicapped by impaired finances and
the break UP Of her foreign trade.
She should not be hampere6 when
peace comes by retaliatory tariffs;
they would only keep jealousy alive
and limit her purchasing powers from
the United States. France. too, will
also show great resiliency. One OK
the most serious after-war problems
will be that of defiation; Germany,
Russia and France have trebled or
ouadrupled their issue Of paper
money, England is the only leading
nation In Europe redeeming IT'S obli-
cations in gold.
Effects of War Upon United States.
In the political machinery of the
United States revolutionary changes
have already taken place and others
are imminent. Within a. few short
months government regulation of IN
duatry has \been established on a
scale that would have required many
years to put into effect in times of
peace. Our vast railway system has
come under government control. and
IL not likely to return to the old sys+
tenn of scattered private management.
Railroad unif1catfon will remain, anu
the tendency of Capitalization prom
Uses to surpass the widest dreams of
even disciple OF Hartman. Govern
ment ownership is not yet in sight,
but government control has been
adopted, to the benefit of the public
and the roadroads alike. Government
regulation of industry has also been
accepted on an elaborate scale.
though likely to be less permanent
than in the case Of the railroads. Con-
troll has been confined chiefly to dis
tribution and price fixing, the policy
Of the government having wisely been
to allow liberal profits in order to
stimulate production without permit
ting profiteering. The policy Of price
fixing under Mr.. Hoover has been
eminent1y successful in restraining
profteering, but has not succeeded in
lowering prices: nor is that possible
when the entire world is threatened
with starvation, or until production
has been increased. When peace
comes some Of these government ac-
tivities will be closed, although a large
measure Of control over industry and