New-York tribune., 1918-04-21
u. S. Must Maintain
Foreign Markets,
Experts Declare
Fifth National Trade Con
vention Endorses Large
Merchant Fleet
[Staf Correspond

CINCINNATI, April 2o.-ldcas that
have crystallized during three days dis
cussion Of international commerce
were written down to-day by the fifth
National Foreign Trade Convention in
declaration of principles. 1t was
stated first and foremost that to play
its proper part in the war the United
States must maintain trade relations
with the great markets Of the world
that arc economic, if not political, al
lies of the nations fighting Germany.
The convention adjourned at noon.
It. was set forth in the declaration
that: american foreign trade must be
maintained both as support to ma
tional credit and a source Of materials
required in military and naval opera
tions."
In referring to duty America owes
to certain neutral nations, it was sad
Latin America, Asia and Oceania
are as dependent upon the United
States for merchandise to maintain
their productivity as the United States
is dependent upon them for essential
war materials and food. Recognition
of this mutual obligation and the least
possible deviation from it., except that
which the military advance justifies,
is shown by the experience of other
nations to be sound war policy"
Great Fleet Needed
1t was declared that the imperative
need of the hour is the presence in the
! North Atlantic of as great tonnage as
can be handled IN military transport
olro of
ply Of our forces which originate in all
the non-European markets; sacrifices
necessary to this end will be gladly
borne"
There was considerable discussion
before the committee wrote into the
declaration this reference to the War
Trade Board:
"lt should be remembered that the
administration of the export and inn
port license system at Washington is
but fraction Of the labor involved.
"a greater part is the increased
work and expense imposed upon i'm
porters, ship owners and customs Gall
of whose staffs are depleted by war
service), not to mention conslgnees in
| foreign countries.
d, "Thcse requirements are and will
continue to be cheerfuly discharged d
where any particular result is achieved
but it is to be hoped that no restric-
! ton will be imposed or continued
without consideration of its practical
bility within the mechanism of com
merce as well as in the organization
! of the War Trade Board at Washing
ton"
ing of permission to export pSefer-
cnce be given, apart from products
needed for war, to those that will tend
in largest degree to strengthen the
hold of American manufacturers upon
trade heretofore monOpolized by the
Central Powers.
1t was stated that the congested con-
ditto n of Eastern seaports is an i'm
pediment to the success of the war, and
| suggested that Southern Atlantic and
Gulf ports should be more freely util-
| lied.
Commends Webb -Pomerene Law
The convention commended the en-
actment Of the Webb -Pomcrenc law au-
thorizing cooperation in export trade.
1t was also stated: "Tkc best prepa
ration for an effective after the war
trade policy is adherence to sound busi-
ness principles in the regulation and
restriction of trade during the war
The War Trade Board, the Department
of State, with the diplomatic and con
sular services; the Department of Com
merce, the Federal Reserve Board, the
Federal Trade Commission, the Tariff
Commission and the Shipping Boarc
can assist American enterprise by the
! negotiation Of advantageous CONNER.
cial treaties, by collecting and dissent.
mating more extensive and detailed in.
formation Of foreign markets and sug-
gesting improved financing, selling and
purchasing methods"
The failure of Congress to grant
adequate appropriations for foreign
trade promotion through the diplo-
matte and consular service was called
national reproach. 1t was stated that
TO meet world competition American
business must be relieved of disad.
vantagcs imposed by legislation and
DC protected by governmental action
from possible discrimination in for
eign markets.
The declaration OF principles also
said:
TO assure 20 tho United State, tho
continuance Of the favorable treatment