Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-01-14
AIMS TRADE BLOW
TO STARTLE HUNS
Chamber of Commerce of United
States Would Bar Ger
many After War.
WARNS INDUSTRIAL CHIEFS
No Friendly Relations Unless
Government Is Responsible
Instrument of People.


WASHINGToN. January I3--Am.r-
lean business men are asked in "A refer
cndum submitted to-day By tho cham
her of Commerce OF the United states
TO pass upon a proposed warnin. 20
German Industrial leaders tha; ,hc;
hope to resume friendly COM
ncrc;al relations with the United states
after the war unless the German gov
eminent has become :, Responsible in
strument OF the people.
/, is proposed that tho Germans be
told that tho United States in common
with other nations. supplied raw ma
tcrals with which Germany made
ready TO start the world war. and that
tho lesson has been learned News
spers and business men cs neutral
countries will be relied upon 10 carry
the message.
The referendum. suggested By the
Boston Chamber OF Commerce and non
laid before half million business mcn
through their commercial orsanlca-
tions, submits this resolution:
POINTS OUT Hun GOVERNMENT
Is NOT RESPONSIBLE TO PEupLi:
Whereas the size OF Gcrmany's pres
cnt armament and her militarist!c at
titudc have been due TO the fact that
the government is military autUc-
racy. not responsible to the Gcrman
people; and.
Whereas tho size of the German
armament after the war Will be the
measure of the greatness Of tho arma-
men, forced Oh all nations; and
Whereas careful analysis Of eco
noTic conditions shows that the size
OF Germanys 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 Amer
lean people, for the purpose Of pre-
venting an excessive armament. will
tion against Germany. if govcrnmc nta |
conditions in Germany make it ncces-
sary for self-defense: : and.
Whereas we believe the American
people will not join in discrimination
against German goods after the war if
the danger OF excessive armament has
been removed BY the fact that tho Ger
man government has in reality become
responsible instrument controlled bv
the German people; therefore, be it
~
TO STUDY THIS SITUATION
Resolved. That the Chamber Of Com
mcrcc of the United States OF America
earnestly calls the attention of the
business men OF Germany 10 these con-
ditions. and urges them also 10 study
this situation ard TO cooperate 10 the
end that disastrous economic war
may be averted and that a lasting peace
may hc made more certain
IF tho proposed action carries" SAWS
4 statement from the chambers head
quarters. the industrial leaders OF
Germany. who. with the military marty
constitute 'hc most powerful caste in
Germany. viii be blurtly told that Ger
many must choose responsible gov
crninent 20 conclude a just peace or
suffer tho consequences OF an outlaw
after the war
she Will be denied economic inter
course with her best customcr-thc
United states. The message could not
fail OF its purpose. as Germany can
not hope, for years TO come 10 re-es-
. .ab!sh satisfactory trade relations with
Great Eriain, italy or France.
ACTION or BUSINESS MEN
Is EXPECTED TO co FAR
NO single action by the United
States can be calculated TO go further
than this proposed action of Americas
business men 1t Is more potent in
its authority. perhaps, than any SINH
lar warning coming from official
sources. The difference lies in the fac,
that Germany might doubt whether
Congress would sanction Il treaty with
the allies for trade boycott of Ger
many. o. that the people would abide
by such trtaty were it made This.
on tho other hand, would be direct no
ticc 10 German business men that tho
business men of America have taken
"A concerted stand 20 close trade to Ger
many SO long as il remains an outla W.
The further fact should hc borne
! in mind that the proposal to discrimi-
nate against German trade after the
war is not "A: variance with the prcsi
dents announced policy not to continue.
after tho war. policies which would
engcndcr hatred among the nations
Quite the contrary. it might be said
10 constitute the second great drive to
compel responsible government in Ger
many, the first being directed to the
cons titutionalist5 within tho eroirev