New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-12


play in some prominent place outside
his premises a sign indicating his ma
tionAlity IL he is not Frenehmsn. Ma.
tionality must also be indicated on az
letterheads and circulars OF foreign
firms trading in France. The league
also advocates laws making Il impossi-
Bile for Germans or Austrians TO be nat
uralized in France unless they fought
on the side Of the Allies in the Great
War.
This campaign against Germany will
give American business men wonder
full opportunity. In turning her back
upon Germany France must face tow
ard America. No other nation can
handle the demands which will come
after the war. The reserve stocks OF
many classes Of goods have been alb
solutely depleted through the interdlc-
ton of importations of many articles.
When the war is over France will want
some OF the Injuries which she has
long denied herself as well as the ne
cessities, which we alone can supply.
America Not Awake Yet
But let nobody think that Americas
entry into the war was dictated in any
part by the fact that "Big Business
foresaw new markets. This theory may
not be maintained FOR "a moment unless
one contends that big Business is a
bungler Of the most stupid sort. The
markets are there, but America has not
even begun 10 get ready 20 try FOR
them. The consular agents OF our
country have done notable work IN
getting the field ready, but our busl7
ness men are still lethargtc.
The new consular service has pre-
pared lists Of the imports into tho
various districts Of France and where
they originated. Il has made sugges-
tions for a liberal and rational system
of credits. II has outlined methods OF
TRANSFORMATION and indicated the near
est available seaport. Il has drawn up
A set of selling recommendations ana
indicated the classes OF merchandise
required as we'll az specializing on tho
commercial changes likely TO be
brought about by the war. But our
business men are still waiting, al
though now is undoubtedly the time to
lay the foundation.
If they do awake TO their opportuni-
ties they must approach them In ne"
spirit. Only the biggest houses main
tain branches in any city except PARIS
regardless Of the fact that Lyons, Tor
instance, has a population OF close 70
million inhabitants and is still grow
ing through the stimulus which the
war has given 20 its factories. An eN.
pert has figured out that an agency o.
practically any branch Of American
business can be established IN any. city
of France at an annual expense OF not
more than $4,000, including salaries.
This represents the cost OF perhaps TWO
full page advertisements in an Amerl-
can weekly.
Attack on Trade Peace Move
Knowledge Of French is certainly
useful IL not indispensable for the
American agents who will come here TO
win new markets. They must know
also something of the Frtch tempera
ment. and they must certainly be abe
TO translate readily our Anticipated sys-
tenn of weights and measures into tho
metric system.
Germany will not surrender her mar
kets without a fight. She IS preparing
already for after the war commercial
problems. In Germany to-day LOO
Young mon ara SAID 70 BE- studying
Turkish in order 70 make the COM
nerce Of that land secure for Germany.
one OF the quickest ways 20 bring about
peace is to organize our business eifec-
lively for foreign trade. When Ger
many sees a mobilization against her
markets she will be more ready to talk
peace.
The threat Of commercial oblivion
has not vet been effectively used
against the Fatherlsnd, although 1t -
worth az least an army corps and per-
hans a feet OF destroyers as force
for a victorious peace.