New-York tribune., 1918-06-06
Takes First Step by Send.
ing Economic Repre-
sentative to Italy
Expected to Adopt
Plans of the Allies
Would Check Attempt of
Germans to Control
Worlds Markets

WASHINGTON, June 5.-What may
be the first step in a general policy of
more active participation by the
United States In preparations of the
nations at war with Germany for the
afterthe trade struggle has been
taken in the appointment of an eco
nomic representative of the State De-
partment to join the American EN-
bassy at Rome. 1t was learned to-day
that the new envoy is about to proceed
to his post.
Though the recommendations of the
Paris Economic Conference never have
been formally accepted by the United
States, which in the past has viewed
with disfavor attempts to interpose
artificial distractions to free COM
merce, even with former enemies, re-
cent developments in Europe have led
to a conference here between repre-
sentatives of the Entente Powers and
officials Of the State Department and
the War Trade Board, which may result
IN complete change of the attitude of
our government.
The attention of the War Trade
Board has been directed sharply to the
far-reaching effect of tae new treaty
of alliance which has been negotiated
between Germany and Austria Hun
gary. This convention is soon to be
AOAlOWSu ny similar arrangement
linking Germany and Austria with
Turkey and Bulgaria not only for mill
tary purposes, but with the design of
dominating the world industrially and
commercially. Gigantic schemes have
been drawn for the control of all
sources Of supply of raw material upon
which industries are based, generally
at the expense of Germany's present
enemies whom the Teutonic rulers hope
n
ceding this control
The Entente Powers and America. as
the plan has been explained, would be
excluded from the markets of this nit
tleuropa combination, but on the other
hand would be forced to buy Germanic
products at prices to be fixed by the
makers.
So the American officials have been
told that the instinct Of self-preserva-
ton dictates that some arrangements
be made between the Entente Allies
and America that will protect them
from this menace and insure mutual
aid and assistance, not only through
financial loans and credits, but by spe-
clal tariff arrangements insuring their
supplies of raw material against Ger
man control and looking to the free ex-
change of this material between the ma
tions that have made the fight against
Making a beginning with Italy. re-
arranging the American system of short
credits on more generous scale and
planning future continuous supplies of
raw material in return for Italian prod
ucts, it is expected that the United
! States government soon will extend the
policy to other countries associate d
I in the war.
The Italian government recently
named commission to study after
the-war problems, and with this com.
mission the American economic dele
gate is expected to have close relations
Italian importing and exporting inter.
ests in the United States also have
been quick to take advantage of the
opportunity afforded by the decision OF
the Italian government to consider this
important subject, and already they
nave joined in the dispatch of a com
mlttee to Italy to cooperate.
Italian industries, though of grea
potential strength and capable of re.
turning large profits on their capital
zation, are said to require substantial
assistance from America if they are t(
go on after the war without relapsine
into the control of German financiers