Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1918-04-20
DEPT. OF COMMERCE
Says GERMAN AIM
IS MARKET CONTROL
DOMINATION OF RAW SUPPLIES
AND MARKETS FOR MANU-
FACTURES GOODS.
REPORT JUST ISSUED is RESULT
loF DETAILED STUDY OF CON-
MERClAL WORK.
ADVISES BUSINESS TO KEEP ITS
EYES OPEN FOR GERMAN
COMPETITION.
by The Associated Press.)

10y ! Tie HSSOSiHlGu TFGSSJ
WASHINGTON. April 17.-Ger-
many started the war to es ablish
domination of the words markets
| for her manufactured goods and to
gain stronger control of the sources
of raw supplies, says a report by the
| Department of Commerce made public
| tonight. The report is the result CT
a de allied investigation of German
political, industrial and commercial
activities before and after the out
break of the war, conducted by
Chauncey d. Snow assistant chief of
the Bureau of Freign and Domestic
Commerce, who was engaged in in
dustrial studies in Germany when hos
tilities began. The failure of these
commercial aims already is apparent,
says the report, and German indus
l'trial efficiency has deteriorated mate
rally.
There has been serious bungling
in high places, profteering, gross mis-
management and intense dissatisfac-
ton among The working classes, it
says Stocks of materials have been
used ul, substitutes have failed to
satisfy, equipment has deteriorated,
and some Industries have profted
greatly by the war at the expense of
efficiency for peace times"
4 Germany's problem as viewed by
her rulers was 10 overcome 1.-THE linn
itations of German territory and the
restrictions of cur climatic conditions
in connection with its increasing and
more refined requirements"
As phrased in the report, Germany
confidently expected as a result of
the war to get huge indemnilies,
which, like the great indemnity ex-
acted from France in 1871, would nav
the bill of war and clear the way
for uninterrupted, Unparalleled
strides, leaps and bounds in indus
try and trade..es Germany unquestion-
ably counted on Gripping the resources
and competitive powers of her chief
European commercial competitors"
When Germany on the close of hos
tlllties enters the race for CONNER
cla1 supremacy, she will be handi-
capped says the report, by the fact
hat she viii have as rivags eighteen
nations which actually have been at
war with her, and nine more which
severed diplomatic relations.
Commercial treaties with the ad.
van ages all on the German side will
be hard to negotiate" is the opinion
expressed in the report. ut win be
rare country where Germany NAV
dominate trade industry, shipping and
finance without local realization and
opposition
Owing to the uncertainties of war.
most OF the measures for reentering
foreign trade are still in the stage
OF discussion, only a few having re.
celVed legislative sanction. MANY of
the industries have been syndicated
or consolidated; an Imperial Minis nv
OF economic Affairs has been created
subsidies have been voted to rehaib.
hlta'e the merchant marine; stems
! nave been taken TO promote the ex.
portation of German goods under the
guise of neutral products.
The less of capital during the war
! the lack Of ship space, and the dif1.
: Gully in obtaining foreign credits and
means Of payment for the imports Of
raw materials and foodstuffs are re-.
garded in Germany as the principal
: obstacles to a speedy rebuilding oe
the foreign trade. The low exchange
value of The mark will enforce econ.
omy IN importation, and the state
VIII be obliged to interfere moi ha.
; cause it has become sooialistic br-
because it viii have no other choice ),
+ In spite Of al the obstacles Mai
WI 1 confront The Germans, however
III viii be well to bear in mimi the
! iact' as pointed out by the eminent
t itailan lawyer, En- ardic Momislano
NAT there is need of preparing for
defense in order that German busi.
ness may not continue IFS old men
odst OF quiet penetration in one coun.
} try after another.
' President Wilson has advocate
, the formation Of an association If
nations to make the word safe. bu,
in doing SO he has stated that i NAV
pc necessary to leave Germany with
out the benefits Of the free economic
inteEcoArse which must ineyitab.v
spfingFom Of The partnerships of real
peace Apart from questions Of gov.
. ernnlelHal policy there IS a clear duty
resting on American business men in
oiFidually 70 keep their eyes open to