New-York tribune., 1918-12-02
Foreign Relations Council
Tells Secretary His Words
Have Con1icted
Competition Now or
Later, Is Question
Missions Planned to Garry
American Products Into
Corners of Earth


of which Elhu Root is honorary chair
man. made public yesterday message
sent to Secretary Redheld of the De-
partment of Commerce asking him to
define the policy of the Administration
toward expansion of American foreign
trade Lindsay Russell, Richard Wash
burn Child and Mark 0. Prentiss. who
signed the message, declared the coun-
ell was DESTROYS of definite informa
ton, because of its intention of dis
patching unofficial missions abroad to
study economic and social conditions
Doubt as to whether the govern
ment would encourage or frown upon
trade expansion efforts exists, they
said. because of the diverse manner in
which Secretary Redheld has been
quoted. an article November 23 stating
it as his view that European nations
first must be permitted to "recoup their
fortunes" and another on the follow
ing day quoting him to the effect that
I'VE will go after foreign commerce
but we must do it in a normal way.
Want Definite Word
The message, dated Friday, follows;
you are aware of the details of
bulletin on restriction Of foreign trade
issued by the Federal Trade lnforma-
tion Service within the last few days,
which was read at a meeting of the
Council on Foreign Relations. This
bulletin later was submitted to you for
comment by the newspapers. You made
statement, published in The New
York Times of the 23d instant, which
read: The position of the Administra-
tlon Is that the United States must
permit European nations to recoup
their fortunes by rebuilding their for
eign trade without material interfer-
ence from American competition.' and
TO further this policy import and ex-
port control will be continued for
considerable season.
1.-The New York Times of November
"a had statement quoting you to the
effect that we will go after foreign
commerce, but we must do it in nor
nal way and that the lack of bot
toms will prevent the drive for foreign
trade for some time. Beyond that point
no policy of restriction has been agreed
upon that Is more concrete than the
suggestion that this country should not
present such fierce competition that
the European countries be unable to
fehabilitate themselves industrially'
Prominent Men on Board
"The Council on Foreign Rela ons,
composed of men interested in inter-
national, social and educational prog.
ress and in international commerce and
finance, is deeply concerned by the
uncertainty of the government pro-
gramme for the immediate future For
your information we state that among
the officers, governors and members of
the council are the following men:
Ellhu Root, honorary chairman; Lind
say Russell, chairman; Alexander J.
Hemphill, Frank N. Doubleday, Jacob
James w. Gerard, Emerson McMillln,
Abram |. Elkus, Henry Morgenthau,
Henry S. Haskell, Edward j. Wheeler,
S. Stanwood Menken, William A..Bar-
ber George w. Wickersham, F. Kings
bury Curtis, Richard Washburn Child,
Mark o. Prentiss, Douglas l.. Dunbar,
Jules S. Bachem, DR.. Henry G. Leach,
George A. Castor, Leopold Frederick,
William Fellows Morgan, Alba John
son, Charles II. Sabin, John McHugh,
A. c. Kains, Otto Kahn.
in order that we may have q state
ment from you at the earliest possible
moment, clearing up this uncertainty
IN way that will permit American
citizens to make plans to assist in
carrying out the tremendous work of
readJustment, we address you these
questions and ask that in your reply
you make it clear whether you speak
personally for the Department of
commerce or for the administration.
Questions are Asked
Just what restrictions, if any,
would be placed in the way of ex-
pansion OF our foreign trade?
In your opinion, will such restric-
tions' II any, on foreign trade, tend to
unit home industries and create a
serious condition of unemployment?
IN the development of our foreign
commerce and finance may we expect a
similar assistance, cooperation and pro
tectlon from our government that for
elgn competitors are receiving and will
receive from their governments?
The council has under considera-
tlon the sending OF unofficial missions
to various countries to investioato
economic and social conditions. m;s-
sions to make friends for America and
increase cordial international relations
not only In the name of commerce. hui
In the name of close contacts of neo,
pies with peoples. In this, to what ey-
tent can we have your Endorsement and
approval?
"Will objections be made by YOU,
department to the dispatch of such
missions?
"The Importance of clear answers
upon American projects, programmes
and public policy prompts us to urge
that you give this your immediate at
tcntion, and, If proper, advise us a
the earliest possible moment, so tha
we may transmit to the members of tn,
IN ~ hoy c,fi hA y