The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1917-01-05
Prosperity
After the War
One Mans View of Americas Industrial
Future.
(New West Trade.)


Contrary to predictions made by
some parties that the end Of the war
In Europe will bring period of in
dustrial disorder and perhaps disaster
to this country, Edwin W. Thompson,
commercial attache accredited to the
American embassy at Berlin and The
Hague, believes that America will
see even greater prosperity then. if
she is prepared to meet the change.
Mr.. Thompson. who left Holland two
months ago, is on a tour of the
United States studying industrial
conditions.
The moment peace IS declared in
Europe the great warning nations,
which have produced and imported
practically nothing which was not
needed for immediate consumption
since war began, will be 10 the mar
ket for immense quantities OF raw
material, Mr.. Thompson said in an
interview. He Is thoroughly familiar
with conditions 10 Germany particu
larly, having been attached to the
American embassy there for a num-
ber OF years.
Germany will need 5,000,000 bales
Of cotton the moment peace is de
clared and will buy that quantity If
it eau be found on the market. For
that reason he believes that a cam
paign to reduce the cotton acreage is
unwise. He said that he does not at
all oppose the idea that the farmer
should grow his own food crops at
home IL possible. but he believes that
large cotton acreage will yield
splendid returns, If the supply can be
controlled and not placed on the mar
ket until peace comes.
The same Is true OF all other raw
materials. America should be in po-
sition to ship not only raw materials
however, but manufactured products
to the countries of Europe when tht
war is over. American manufactur
ers should prepare for the change il
demand from war munitions to manu-
factured goods of all kinds whe'
peace is declared.
In the case of Germany, which ha
been named as the most dangerous o
the countries as a source OF chea
competition, it will be necessary 10
them to import large quantities q
raw materials before they can tur
them into the manufactured produc
and send them to America to com
pete with American goods. Durin
times Of peace Germany normally i'm
ports more than So, 600, 900, 900 wort
OF raw materials, yet for two yea
she has imported practically nothin'
Englands case is somewhat dihel
ent, yet England will uot be IN pt
sition industrially to endanger I'll
prosperity of this country with n
cheap manufactured products
addition, Mr.. Thompson predict'
that after the war the great voiun
of trade which Germany has carrl
on in the past with the British col
MES will be turned TO England.
that is the case, England will have
foreign demand from that sour
which will tax her manufacture
facilities to the limit, making
impossible for her to export much,
anything, to America.
With his existing knowledge
conditions as they exist abroad, a
from long study of trade condition
Mr.. Thompson is confident I'll
America will continue to be the lea
log industrial country of the wo
after the war as she Is at prese
provided the manufacturers II
ahead and prepare for the dema
that will come with peace.
trade with the world would be gre
Iy facilitated with merchant mar
to transport her goods, he said'
that is not absolutely essential.