The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-08-20
TRADE EXP ANSION REASON GERMANS
 STARTED THE WAR
Sought to Extend Her Com merce and Blood Profits
 Were Her Aim

Were Her Aim
 In general, the problems of settling for the war-or reparation, indemni- ties. and post-bellum trade relations are discussed in the city with the calmness which becomes an economic discussion. But I should not give true picture of this financial com munity's mood and state of mind if did not point out the extent to which he same powerful feelings as influence the community at large in fluence also the financial judgment.
 The plain truth is that it is inn possible, when glancing not merely ar all the ravages already occasioned by the war, but at the extent to which the European Allies have suffered in fighting the battle of civilization, that some stern thoughts should not arise. It is very we'll to talk. of rejecting the idea of irdemnities after the war. But if Germany is tv De permitted to rapidly resume her place after the war. as a result of hoarded gold and through here enemies being handi- capped in restoring the. ravages for which Germany has been responsible, an injustice will have been commit ted which in itself will call aloud for redress.
 l. Americans are now perhaps begin ing to perceive how greatly policy of commerce and finance was behind the whole machinations of Germany previous to the outbreak of war in 1914. Not only political but financial ambitions on the part of Germany have been responsible for the blood ;,~ ls nj tions are even partially fulfilled, it. will go i'll for the foundations of true civilization in future years. At their distance from the war area, Ameri- cans cannot fully realize the horrors suffered by Europe Civilization is literally handicapped by it's very code of morals in handling the situation. When for example at some fresh ex- hibition of frightfulness on the part of Germany, women and little chil- dren are blown to fragments in the streetsof an unfortified town in Eng land, we have rigic.y to adhere to our code of honor and of right, make freprisals only upon military centers in Germany, and endeavor to spare in every way possible the life of the civilians even among our enemies.
 That is entirely as it should be; but all, the more does it demand that the powers of civilization, acting in the interests of humanity as a whole, should see. to it that when the day of reckoning comes, justice at any rate is meted out to those responsible for thet crimes of the past three years. If Germany had shown throughout the war some degrees of chivalry which are usually associated even with war itself, it would have been possible to discern an element of character which could be trusted after the war comes to an end. As it is, the plain facts of the case are that the whole conduct of the war by Germany has been defiance of mod ern civilization, and until some real atonement has been done for these crimes. we at least cannot see how the world can go forward again with confidence, repairing the breaches that have been made.
 Although Germany's plans for l>commercial and financial rehabilita- ton after the war have not been
 widely published outside the empire f-perhaps not even definitely formu- 1 lated by the German authorities-in- timations of what these plans are
 have come to light from time to time
 Max Heller, an official of the great
 Siemens-schuckert Electrical Works
 at Berlin, recently submitted a plan,
 which possibly reflects the trend of EGernan thought on the subject. Among his suggestions were the fol- lowing:
 1 Germany's available cargo space :shall be put at the disposal of an inn fperia1 commission, not in its entirety, ibut only up to a certain percentage.
 Such cargo space should be entirely
 made over to purchasing companies, which should be created where neces- sary by trade and industry.
 s The import of raw material des- tined to be manufactured into export goods should have preference.f
 It is not advisable to centralibe all German credits abroad to Ia greater extent than the present organization tof the foreign bill bureau provides for. The sole object of the centraliza- ton would thus be to avoid sudden fluctuations of the exchange through la momentary flood of the market with securities. V
 The import of unnecessary luxuries shall be prohibited, as also the manu- 'i facture of 'luxuries, except those which can be shown to meet de mand from abroad. Special regula- tions shall provide for the use o1 Aoiiic E SOISuIIIptlOH OI SuCn SuDSLl- tutes as have proved their values dur ing the war.
 J The organizations formed for meet. 7, ing war conditions are not to be dis. , solved at once, but are to continue
 their work under the War Office Int material they handle will be used , first to satisfy the demands of ths authorities while any surplus vii
 be distributed to the trade.