South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-02-19
BOYCOTT
OF AUTOCRACY
Chamber Would Shun Deal
ingS Unless Germany'S Gov
eminent is Changed.

favor OF sounding a warning 10 the
German people that Unless rea-|
sonabIe form of government re-
places the present German autoc-
racy, American business after the
war closes will shun business deal
iugs with them.
The step was taken 1T the Monday
MONDAY luncheon by the passage Of
resolution supporting the referen-I
dunn sent 90 all the Chambers Of
Commerce OF the nation by the
United States Chamber OF Commerce
that unless such a reasonable form
of government is established in Ger
many. the people of the United
states will refuse 20 trade with the
citizens OF the German empire after
peace negotiations are concluded.
Presents Resolution.
The resolution was presented BY
p. r. Johnson. who presented argu-
uents sent out by the Boston cham
ucr Of commerce in favor Of the
adoption OF the resolution. AIT.
Johnson said that when the people
sf Germany learn that they will have
20 get along after the war without
collecting indemuities from the al
lied nations. they will begin 20 learn
something that viii be 10 their ad-
vantage.
Samuel Parker attorney, spoke in
favor OF the resolution. IL it viii
aid in bringing the war 20 a nearer
end. IL should be passed. he said.
Mr.. Parker deplored the lack Of
true patriotic spirit i'm the United
states and asserted that this spirit
must undergo radical change. He
said that ne is one Of those persons
VINO believes that peace with Ger
many now would he nothing more
than a truce. and If peace were de-
clared now that Germany would
simply profit by her mistakes in the
present war and would at once be-
gin preparations for the next con-
nict.
Dudley shively. attorney. also
spoke i'm favor OF the adoption of
the resolution. He agreed with the
sentiments expressed by Mr.. Par
ker.
Resolution Adopted.
The resolution which follows was
adopted by a rising vote of every
one present.
To the Beard of Directors of The
South Bend Chamber Of Com
merce:
Gentlemen:
Your legislative committee TO
whom has been referred referen-
dunn 40. % from the chamber OF
commerce OF the United States, 20
Wit
Whereas. the size Of Germany's
present armament and her miIitar-
isuc attitude have been due 10 the
fact that her government is mill
tary autocracy. not responsible TO
the German people. and
Whereas. the size of the German
ornament after the war viii be the
measure Of the greatness of the
armament forced on all nations,
and
Whereas. careful analysis or
economic conditions shows that the
size OF Germany's future armament
viii fundamentally depend or her
after-war receipts Of raw materials
and profits from her foreign trade:
and
American people for the purpose of
preventing an excessive armament
viii assuredly enter an economic
combination against Germany i'll
governmental conditions ir Ger
many make il necessary for self
defense. and
Whereas. We believe the Ameri-
can people will not join in discrim-
inatiou against German goods after
the war if the danger of excessive
armament has been removed by the
fact that the German government
has in reality become a responsible
instrument controlled by the Ger
man people. therefore. be it,
Resolved. that the chamber Of
commerce OF the United States If
America earnestly calls the attcn-
lion OF the business men of Ger
many 20 these conditions and urges
them also 10 study this situation
and Co cooperate 10 the end that
disastrous economic war may De
averted and that a lasting peace
may be made more certain
we respectfully recommend that
said referendan Doe brought before
the Monday luncheon for discussion
and a vote by the members.
Your committee. moreover hav-
inE carefully considered the matter
would report that the proposition
was nrst presented 10 the national
body by the Boston. Mass. chamber
OF commerce. ana has received wide
publicity in the public press and
has met with very favorable COM
ment.
The chief argument iu its favor
is that it viii furnish 10 the business
men OF Germany an inducement 90
exert their influence i'm establishing
within their own country a coustitu-
tonal government. based upon the
ghts OF the people and interested
fn securing and maintaining both
political and economic peace among
I'll nations
To your committee the reasons in
favor OF such a peace based upon
such conditions seem unauswera bic.
therefore ir respectfully recon-
mends that the vote De iu favor OF