South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-02-18
PROPOSE 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 a rea-
sonabie form OF government re-
places the present German autoc-
racy. American business after the
war closes Will shun business deal
ings with them.
The step was taken at the Monday
MONDAY luncheon by the passage OF
resolution supporting the referen-
dunn sent TO 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 TO trade with the
citizens OF the German empire after
peace negotiations are concluded.
Presents Resolution.
The resolution was presented by
T. r. Johnson. who presented argu-
ments sent out by the Boston cham
Der Of commerce in favor Of the
adoption Of the resolution. Mr..
Johnson said that when the people
Ct Germany learn that they viii have
20 get along after the war without
collecting indemnities from the al
lied nations. they will begin 10 learn
something that Will be 10 their ad-
vantage.
Samuel Parker. attorney spoke in
favor Of the resolution If il will
aid in bringing the war to a nearer
end, it should be passed. he said.
Mr. Parker deplored the lack OF
a true patriotic spirit in the United
States and asserted that this spirit
must undergo a radical change He
said that he is one Of those persons
who believes that peace with Ger
many now would be 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-
fiict.
Dudley Shively attorney. also
spoke IN 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 Board of Directors of The
South Bend Chamber of Com
merce:
Gentlemen:
Your legislative committee to
whom has been referred referen-
dunn No. % from the chamber OF
commerce of the United States, 20
wit:
Whereas. the size of Germany's
present armament and her militar-
istic attitude have been due to the
fact that her government is "A mill
tary autOCracy, not responsible TO
the German people, and
Whereas. the size of the German
armament after the war will be the
measure of the greatness of the
armament forced on all nations,
and
Whereas. careful analysis OF
economic conditions shows that the
size OF Germany's future armament
Will fundamentally depend on her
after-war receipts Of raw materials
and profits from her foreign trade:
and
Whereas. in our opinion the
American people for the purpose of
preventing an excessive armament
viii assuredly enter AN economic
com biuatiou against Germany il
governmental conditions I'm Ger
many make II necessary for self
defense; and
Whereas, we believe the Ameri-
can people viii not join I'm discrim-
ination against German goods after
he 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 hy the Ger
man people. therefore. be il
Resolved. that the chamber OF
commerce Of the United States OF
America earnestly calls the atteu-
ton Of the business men of Ger
many TO these conditions and urces
them also 10 study this situation
and 20 cooperate 10 the end that q
disastrous economic war may bs
averted and that a lasting peace
may be made more certain
We respectfully recommend that
~ttA4 EGAtItu1AIl Nt hIOl-lL RtIhEe
the Monday luncheon for discussion
and a vote by the members
Your committee, moreover, hav-
ing carefully considered the matter
would report that the proposition
was first presented 90 the national
body by the Boston. Mass. chamber
Of commerce. and has received wide
publicity in the public press. and
has met with very favorable COM
ment
The chief argument i'm its favor
IS that 10 will f-rnish 20 the business
men OF Germany an inducement 20
exert their influence In establishing
within their own country a constitu-
tionat government based upon the
Fights OF the people and interested
- securing and maintaining both
RoIiticA and economic peace amous
al nations.
To your committee the reasons I'm
favor OF such "a peace based upon
such conditions seem uuanswerab bic. /
therefore 10 respectfully recon-
mends that the vote be ln favor OF