New-York tribune., 1918-05-19

OceU CLUSSeU WtJft tNe VOSTULS OF
Germany.
BY Eberhard Gothein
Privy Councillor
The grossest of French chicaneries
were resorted to in tho Briey district.
If France. needing German coal,
had sensibly considered the situation,
she would have facilitated the issuance
Of franchises to the iron works of near
by German Lorraine. But the French
authorities dug up antiquated laws and
applied them even to French mining
corporations; they demanded that the
mining companies in the district of
Briey become French and forced on
them presidents who were the most
dangerous opponents within, and re-
fused the franchise for an aerial rail-
way which, to reach the German mine
OF Hagendingen, had to cross the from
tier, and used every opportunity to
hamper German enterprises as trump
card against obnoxious police ordi-
nances like that prohibiting Frenchmen
from going hunting in Alsace. To cut
long story short, German industry
found itself barred from a district of
supply which it needed more than any
other.
How ought matters to be regulated
after the war? No matter how much
one advocates peace by understanding,
now much one hopes for future politi-
cal and economic harmony between
the two groups of warning nations.
how much one is convinced that the
threats Of an economic boycott will
never materalize, it is, nevertheless,
only too certain that we will be up
against intense hatred, especially in
France, which will use every chance
OF hurting our interests. Although it
is possible to outline the mutual eco
nomic relations in a peace treaty. the
administrative policy, which follows
secret paths, cannot be fixed before
hand. And how can complete en-
bargo of iron ore be prevented. if.
for instance. English syndicates ac-
quire the iron ore fields and do not
work them, as Americans have alreadv
done elsewhere?
International Supervision Unwise
1t has been suggested to incorporate
in the peace treaty clause providing
a German option on a certain number
of tons of French iron ore. But think
OF the increased difficulties which
would result therefrom! The total
quantity would have to be fixed at
the peace conference; but our needs
change with the conditions of the
market, and the agreement would re-
suit in continuous protests by both
parties. Only the German Empire
would have just claim. To what in
terests, individuals or kartells, privi-
legged or n-privileged, would the
empire have to resell the ore? No
matter which Of these possibilities
are taken into consideration, the
same difficulties always arise and the
empire must certainly hesitate to play
such an unthankful part as the busi-
ness manager of a great industry.
On the other hand, only the French
state, not the French mines, would be
under any obligation. France would
have to organize a kartell compris-
ing all her iron ore mines, to con-
troll them and to supervise the deliv4
cry of the agreed to quantity of iron
ore to Germany, and all that in favor
of a foreign country. That would
mean permanent reminder of pain
full defeat, of tribute exacted from
the state and imposed by the same
state on its citizens. 1t is impossible
to imagine anything that would push
the sting deeper and more persistently
in the soul of the French nation. FL
nally, the price ton would have to
be fixed. But how? According to the
average market price, which itself is
influenced by the quantity of the de-
livery? Or shall the price be equal
to the cost of production. plus a small
profit? Such policy would necessi-
tate continuous control of all the
French iron ore mines by Germany
an impossible task. Or ought a court
Of arbitration be established? AS the
relations Of two sovereigne states
are concerned, only an international
court could be considered, perhaps
permanent department of minette af-
fairs and price fixing of the Hague
Tribunal. Both states in question and
the tribunal soon would be tired Of
such an unpleasant task. Every in
terested party would prefer the risks
Of private iron ore dealings to such
an international regulation.
Urges "Frontier Corrections'
There can be no doubt that the sun
ply Of iron ore from the district Of
Briey is Of vital Importance to our
iron industry. the existence Of which
thereby will be prolonged from fifty
to at least $50 years; that the pie
iron industry, besides agriculture and
coal mining, plays the most important
part in our national production; that
our army and navy must rely on our
iron and steel industry. Therefore,