Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-11-10

but with some regret. We" meaning
the financiers. merchants and manu-
but failed" said Arthur II von Gwinmer.
director of tho Deutsche Bank, to one
OF the chief citizens Of Boston. who
told the writer OF the remark made
by the Berlin banker.
-
Men Of business have profound re-
spect for their kind and class. They
know their own aspirations. practices
and habits Of thought. The brother
hood and its principles. they supposed.
were practically the same in America
and the greater part Of Europe. And.
possibly they are, once the Teutons
are deducted from the rest.
The pretended disavowal Of Won
Gwinner was the cause, indirectly, of
the boycotting action taken by the
chambers Of commerce and boards of
trade In this country. Won Gwinner's
sincerity was not questioned by any
body who had heard of his sorrow. as
confessed by his own lips. lie spoke
the truth, undoubtedly, said business
brother would neither cheat nor lie to
It was not known at the time that
Emperor William had bribed the bank
ers, merchants, manufacturers and land
owners Of Germany with grand promises
by the war then brewing. Acres by
the million, outside Of the empire. would
be distributed. Property seized In Great
Britain would be parccled among the
faithful-provided they were liberal in
the taking OF German war loans
America was tn ha levied on until IL
groaned.
Tho program Of loot later found Its
way among the troops, horse and foot,
and they stole feather beds and spoons.
crockery on their marches through
Belgium and France-troops. by the
way, who, az woriunen in peace, are
to conquer, as Herr Hevenstein prom
ises. with their 'ininitable" goods.
e,n s ssse e Of sresa s haa
ganised business men Of the United
States. they would, It seemed certain,
under a threat OF . boycott against their
potash. toys. dyes, china, cutlery. cot,
ahs S Tx fnS 5as ena
Such was the fabric Of American busi-
ness philosophy.
The boycotting resolution was adopted
by an almost unanimous vote. 1t
swept the country from shore to shore
mighty weapon, forged in the arsenal
of hope. 1t was to shorten the war and
save American money and blood. AS
we'll might 1t have been made Of wood
and painted red. It cleaned in the air
for a moment, but never struck.
Is It unreasonable to think that when
the merchants and manufacturers Of
Hamburg, Chemnitz and Nuremberg
heard Of It they clinked their
earthen mugs together and laughed?
About that time DIR. Bernhard Dern-
Germany.s future supply Of raw ma
'teriais. that cotton. copper and so on
must not only be demanded, but 1t
must be possible. II need be, to extort
them by force" 49,.
Germany was to win the war. The
American boycott had no more terror
than tin sword, and the solemn de-
termination of 10000 British seamen
to sail no ships into or out Of German
ports for a period Of Ave years after
the war was equally as impotent to
change the minds Of the men to whom
Emperor William had promised the
riches of many lands, more particularly
the riches Of Great Britain and the
United States.
Business Americas revelation
worked for tho nations good. Diplo-
macy, 1t found. was not its forte.
Arms were to be manufactured. ships
were to be built. bonds were to be
bought, taxes were to be paid Here
In business America has since