New-York tribune., 1918-07-08
Germany Looks to
Russia to Combat
Postwar Embargo
Especial Dispatch to TAe Tribune)

WASHINGTON, July Germany
batting the peace time embargo of the
Allied powers. The economic warfare
of the Entente nations against the Cen
trail Empires is not expected by Ger
man experts to have a paralyzing in
fluence on Germany. and the problem
of best meeting-the post-bellum situa-
tion already is receiving the closest at
tention of the Berlin authorities.
An official report received here to-
day summarizes n study Of the ques
tion of raw materials from the German
point of view by Professor Kurt
Wiedenfelt, recognized authority on
economics. The summary follows:
professor Wiedenfelt calls attention
to the fact that the blockade of the
Entente has so far been miscalcula-
tion, as the German people have not
been brought to their knees either by
hunger or by lack of raw materials for
industry. Inasmuch. as this has become
evident to the Entente, they have
planned to hinder Germany's industrial
development after the war by forbid
Oluk eNpOIt Ol IdW IldLcIldlS W NCI-
many.
at is believed that it will be easy to
execute such peace blockade, as most
countries on the globe either volun-
tarily or involuntarily have taken
hostile position toward Germany. The
peace with Russia has, however, &C.
cording to the authors opinion. re-
moved the sting from the threat of a
peace blockade, as Russia, in accord
ri
accordance with statements of the lead
ing politicians before the peace with
Germany, took decided stand against
peace blockade, and did not fail to
bring this to the attention of the Allies.
with regard to the various raw ma
terials necessary for German industry,
the author calls attention to the iron
production, which without greater diff
eulties will be able to cover the con-
sumption of raw materials in the coun-
try itself.
nickel, which was formerly used in
large quantities for manufacture of
steel, has during the war been substi-
tuted with other materials which may
be had in Germany, and consequently
the importation of this metal after the
war will not be of great Importance.
with regard to aluminium, Germany
/ before the war obtained the raw ma
J oSii 1lOiu OOuIH6Iu L rance. NelCneT
Switzerland, which is also a large pro-
ducer, nor Germany could get this ma
terlal after the outbreak of the war,
/ but despite this the German aluminium
/ industry has seen a great development
during the war. Bauxit has been OBJ
tanned from the other countries of the
Central group, and in common clay a
raw material has been found which
may be worked for aluminium.
HGroo% diffS cnltior
tered IN the substitution of rubber, but
attention is called to the fact that
automobiles, which are the largest con-
sumers of rubber. have been used so
extensively that this would seem to
show that a good substitute has been
found for the tropical raw material.
Germany has not been able to i'm
port cotton and jute and is herself not
able to produce these raw materials.
The wool production of the country is
altogether too small, and fax and hemp
always had been imported in large
quantities. AS substitute for lutte
paper yarn has been used, and linen
and cloth are now manufactured from
this tn paper yarn in quite good qualities.
me manufacture of textiles from
nettles has been resumed.
The author calls attention to the
fact that Germany after the war will
encounter certain difficulties. which
may be partly overcome through the
other Central Powers and Russia. The
author also indicates that it is expected
that cotton may be obtained from
Russia and Turkey, although only in
small quantities.
"Of hides and leather Germany i'm
ported before the war half of what the
industry needed. The export of leather
goods was, however, so great that about
answered to the import of raw ma
terials and perhaps even exceeded it,
so that Germany from her own raw
materials will be able to satisfy her
own demands for leather goods even if
after the war it will be necessary to
spare the cattle.
FINALLY, Professor Wedenfelt calls
attention to the fact that German in
dustry has it's factories and plants
ready to treat all kinds of raw ma
terials produced in the country itself,
and that the shortage Of tonnage will
therefore not be of such consequence
as to the industry of other countries.
Therefore, Germany after the war
should stand on such a strong footing
with regard to industrial productive
power that trade political measures on
the part of her present enemies should
not exercise the paralyzing influence
sghich is believed in many circles"