New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-07-07

political and military policy. What
ever attitude we take toward the world
In the larger phases Of international
politics must be reflected In our policy
with regard to foreign trade.
One common attitude should lead
US to pause and reflect. We are often
told Of Americas opportunity, Of the
opening for American trade and Amer
lean exports by the ousting Of the Ger
mans and the gripping Of the Euro
pean countries which are our allies
We have chance to establish our
selves, it is said. Let us GUST our
rivals, push our trade, get n firm foot
ing, hold our gains after the war.
Much of the language used In this
connection has not pleasant or a
generous sound 1t suggests spirit
Of rejoicing at a chane to hit ones
rival when he is down. We are urged
to take advantage OF the misfortune
and weakness of others, to establish
ourselves in their places in such way
rs to prevent them from having any
opportunity thereafter. We much re-
sent such an attitude when we suspect
it in the case Of another country.
Should we not sedulously refrain FROM
manfesting an ungenerous attitude
ourselves?
The war beyond doubt will alter seri-
ously the old currents of trade. The
force of habit is strong in commerce
between nations as it is in commerce
within a country. Many trade arrange
ments of the past have maintained
themselves largely by inertia. The war
necessarily brings shock and makes
new combinations possible
The situation is not dissimilar in
our import trade There, too, the war
has precipitated change. Some COM
modities formerly imported into the
United States may never be imported
again. In consequence Of the cessation
Of imports, goods formerly imported
have been made by domestic producers,
who may hold their own, even without
any changes in our import duties, when
peace has once been restored.
Trade Ties and
Traditions Broken
AS regards exports also, it will
probably turn out that some COM
modities, of which the foreign sale has
been suddenly and even dramatically
stimulated by war conditions, will con-
tinue to be exported after the restora-
ton of peace. All the ties and tradi-
tions of former times have been broken.
The opportunity is open to all, the
field is free. But let us enter it as a
free and open field, and not endeavor
to make it closed field of our own.
Let US rest our forward endeavors not
upon the misfortunes or weaknesses Of
others, but on our own inherent
strength. Let us ask no favors, let US
use no unfair or deceptive devices. Let
our true strength be revealed, not our
weaknesses concealed and overcome by
artifce.
The reflections on our general at
titude, combined with rational con-
ception of the significance of foreign
trade and of the best ways of promot-
ing it, lead to two fundamental con-
clusions. First, we should rest COM
petition in the international field on
should stand for open, honorable
rivalry. The extension of our export
trade should be based upon effective
ness in service-on well-paid labor
well-applied, and on serviceable goods
produced cheaply and offered to all on
the same terms.
We shall exchange goods proftably
with other countries if the profit and
the benefit of others is no less than
our own. And this result is achieved,
to repeat once more, not by bountles,
not by special prices, not by overt
or furtive determinations in our favor,
but by the plain and fundamental fact
of doing our work we'll and doing a
service to others.
Second, our international policy
should be frank and open, and in COM
mercial matters that Of the open door
The open door policy, it need hardly
be said, means that we wish no special
favors for ourselves and oppose spe-
cial favors to others. We have adopt
ed it and followed it unhaggingly and
without QuallncaClOn IN the var EAdSI
There we have maintained that the
United States and other nations should
all stand upon the same footing in
economic and financial competition
We believe that all negotiation should
be simple and straightforward anc
that the outcome should be the estab-
lshment of the same terms for every
one. We wish fair field, an honor
able rivalry.
1t is our pride that in the Orient we
have nothing to conceal, nothing to Elk.
plain, nothing to apologize for. Our
policy in the Occident should be no less
the cause for just pride. We wish
for no determinations in our owl
favor; we are opposed to discrimina-
tons in favor OF others. We stand fol-
open dealing, open diplomacy, oper
commerce. Our democracy is ideals
tic; our international aims are ideal
istic; our trade policy should no less
rest upon ideals.