The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-11-25
COMMERCIAL ACTION
RATHER THAN WAR

Washington. Nov. 24---WilI there
! be a commercial war after the war?
Inquiry here brings negative an
swer
The statement Is made in the sense
Of commercial war MS heretofore
known.
There cannot fail to be intense in
ternational commercial activity, II is
declared
T. Two factors stand cut prominently
at the close of the world conflict of
arms as bearing upon the postwar
trade situation. namely, the closer
Coura1oship and better understand
ing among the nations allied against
the central powers and the belief OF
the wsrid that Germany cannot be
trusted
Therefore Il Is sDrgued the pressing
needs of the allied nations ard, to a
losser degree. those Of the neutral ma
tons win form upon the cessation Of
hostilities tho basis Of commercial
calculations for the time Immediately
following the Close ~ the war.
movement was started in the
United states, IL was recalled. having
for its PURPOSE tho pledgin@ of every
Amor<can TO observe q strict blacklist
Cor nfe against trade with Germany
in any form Thousands ~ Ameri-
cans actually pledged that during the
balance OF II cir lives they would buy
nothing made in Germany. or have
anything TO do with Germany. The
movement vas voluntary one, with
out official countenance. but neverthe-
less gained widespread support
RI such "a deep-eeated resentment
De- al IN, nj
States. which has felt the evil effects
Of German militari5m and perfdy in
small measure compared with the al
lies. IL is argued as certain that none
OF Germany enemies. at least for
generation. Will be- willing to enter
trade relations with her merchants.
The unmasking If Germany's com
mercial methods as employed 10 cor
rnpt nations with which she dealt
will also cause apprehension after the
war wherever she seeks trade. II Ia
shown.
Germany therefore is regarded as
world movements
On the other hand IN intense after
thn-war trade is sure 10 be waged
among ourselves and our allies. be-
cause OF the vast amount OF recon-
etruction wSrk demanding raw ma
terial seIg1l-finished products and
manufactured articles that this coun-
try can help suppl Many industries
Of this country, /; is shown. have
suffered severely from the lack OF raw
materials which they must have from
all parts OF the globe.
Iu addition to the great trade that
Immediately must spring up between
allied Europe and America. II rs point
ed out that Russia and Latin America
are looking for the offerings of our
merchants.
/ The United States now has IN Rus
STA an economic commission. gather
! ing knowledge fron1 thousands Of the
! Russian People. who have always been
/ friendly 10 this country, and who
+ nerd agricultural machinery and al
most everything else we make
This cornm ssion is learning and de-
! hning these thousand. for he guild
/ ancc oi American industry. and Incl
| dentaliN. is cultivatng a more lnteilt-
gent friendship for America. No re-
ports from this commission have yet
bucn made public
In Washington papers certain Soutt
American periodicals already have
begun to use advertising space. draw
Ing attention of American advertiser
( 70 the opportunities there 10 naarke
their goods after the war The fas.
! growing movement 10 increase Soutf
! American trade. Interrupted by th'
! entrance of The United states into the
war is thus giving evidence OF im'
mediate resumption,
All Of these factors. therefore. argue
J for extreme commercial activity
among the nations that have beer
fighting Germany,
Therelas enough trade fnf az. Y I