The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1917-08-24
GERMANY PLANS
FIGHT TO CAPTURE
TRADE AFTER WAR
Enemy Mobl|IzIng Industrial
Resources For World
Commerce War
BUILDS MERCHANT SHIPS
Going Over to Peace Commission
Formed to Devise Means to Win
Back Export Trade Lost Through
Conflict of Arms.

Formed to Devise Means to Win
Back Export Trade Lost Through
Conflict of Arms.
Contrary to the general belief, Ger
many, during the past three years, has
not confined her shipbuilding activities
to the turning out Of submarines and
other war vessels. Since the outbreak
OF the war twenty-eight new freight
steamers have been constructed In her
shipyards. 1t is also worthy Of note
that German steamship Offices through
out the neutral world are being kept
open for the immediate resumption Of
business and that recently the clerical
STATS In these Offices have been re-
stored to full from half pay.
To the American manufacturer and
his employee there is world of signif-
canoe in these correlated statements Of
fact, indicating, as they do, the extent
to which Germany is prepared for the
campaign Of industrial reconstruction
and the wholesale conquest of world
trade markets, which she plans to IN
dertake the moment peace has been re-
stored. Germany is making ready for
the economic war Just as carefully as
she prepared for the present conflict
Just as every man, automobile, horse
and factory in the empire was indexed
and given place In mobilization for ac-
tual war, so have certain men, indus
tries and raw materials been indexed
today and given their place in the mo-
bilization for German export trade
with the coming Of peace.
Other Nations May Follow Suit.
Nor Is 1t to be supposed that the 9TH
er big nations will be behindhand In
bidding for world trade after the war
to make up for the tremendous trade
losses sustained through the conflict.
Under pressure of national danger the
governments In these countries have
come into closer touch with their man.
ufacturers and, having learned the prin-
ctples Of Industrial mobilization, are In
Q position to aid those manufacturers
In times Of peace.
Germany's plans for the trade war
may go astray Just as some of the fea-
lures of her military program did dur
ing the past three years, but recital
Of the active steps she has taken to-
ward economic and Industrial recon-
struction will serve to emphasize the
need In this country for Industrial econ
omy and efficiency unhampered BY
strife between wage earners and wage
payers and unwise business laws.
To begin with, Germany Is not on the
verge of bankruptcy. She has no huge
floating international debt and her
war loans are secured several times
over. She has not put such a pressure
on her mines that they will be over
weakened when peace comes, nor has
she exhausted her other resources. IN
less conditions are very radically chang
ed by the outcome of the war she will
be In an excellent position to wage the
fight for the recovery Of the $5,0OO,-
100000 worth Of world trade she lost
through the war.
Plenty of Goods For Export.
When the war ends, Germany will
have plenty Of goods In few lines In
which she enjoys a superabundance Of
raw materials to throw back upon the
world markets, and she will be able to
sell these goods at a very low price.
There are factories In Elberfield, Rem
schied, Main and Dus-
seldorf today turning out steady flow,
not for the purposes Of war, but for
peace.
Germany's preparations for the re-
construction period are characteristic
ally thorough. The imperial govern
ment has appointed "The Friedensu-
bergau Kommission," literally the go
ing over to peace commission, which is
headed by Senator Stahmer of the
Hamburg parliament. Associated with
the latter are the most prominent Ger
man captains of industry and bankers.
The plans so far evolved by the Stab
mer commission for the recapturing of
Germany's $4,000, 100000 worth OF lost
trade are based upon the principle that
when peace comes Germany must ex-
port cargoes of goods that far exceed
In value the class Of goods she imports.
That will enable her to establish sub
stantial trade balance.
In her export activities she will lay
most stress on lines such as chemicals,
dyestufrs, hardware, cutlery and "knick-
knacks," for her available raw mate
rails favor the abundant production of
those articles. They will have to Inn
port copper, nickel, cotton and animal
fats and American machinery. On any
other commodity 1t is almost certain
ty that the Stahmer committee will
recommend prohibitive import duties,
especially on manufactured articles.
IL Germany is to compete successful
ly for world trade. however, 1t is vital
ly essential that costs be kept down In
the manufacture of the chosen articles
of export. The imperial order has
gone forth that the exporters burden
be lightened. and all sorts Of conces-
sions will be made him In the form of
preferential railroad rates and cheap
inland waterway tolls and ocean freight
rates. = Industrial Conservation, Nep
VarL