El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-03-25
PUT THE SCREWS TO GERMANY
BY TRADE ISOLATION-OWEN

q ENATOR OWEN, Of Oklahoma has opened up a fertile
field for discussion with his suggestion that the wal
- might be ended at by applying the economic
TO Germany He would have the allies notify the
central powers that unless they surrendered at once
monte isolation for definite PERIOD Of years after the wal
the penalty and that extension of isolation
for so many years would be the additional penalty for each
months delay acceptance Of TIE terms He believes Ger
many and her allies, fearing economic starvation would
have to yield because the powerful business interests would
make il compulsory.
The theory Is gwen some strength BY publication IN Ger
many References by editors and statesmen from time
time show the fear Of the Germans Of afterwar
nomic warfare They consider that England and America
dominate the seas and, with France have mOn0pozed the
worlds commerce; that they intend hold that
after the by shutting Germany ont and therefore Ger
anys only hope Immediately ater the war lies in trade
with Holland, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden Russia and
the new Gerauzsd states which GERMANY has created out
Of Russian territory Russia especially is looked upon as
great field which Germany develop to the utmost
Tor materials and outlet for German goods, with
Siberia very important element in German calcula-
tons Eventually these Germans to hope, Germany
would be able to regain her share Of the world
everywhere.
Looking forward to the end Of the var 1t may be said
that isolation only be applied to Germany
Germany is beaten if the ends indecsvely If Ger
many to WIN, It would be impossible If Germany
victor, of the peace terms imposed
would be the provision contained in the peace treaty with
Russia and Rumauia-ths enost favored nation" clause
This guarantees for Germany special trade concessions not
granted any other nation It probably would embrace
stipulation that German goods would be admitted to the
various sgnatory nations duty free, while their exports to
Germany would be subject to duty payments II would also
ing the 'most favored nation" doctrine Besides, Germany
on eSpecaF SpelIleQ peIlOQ5
years.
Thus Germany would be beyond successful competition
German goods, because Of the duty favors, would 90
the markets cheaper than anyone ese's while Germany
would derive revenue from all imports from other nations
Not nation n the world could compete against such
handicap ost favored nation" treatment is what Ger
many is fighting FOR therefore, quite much territorial
ACQUISITIONS advantageous bases and desirable trade
Germany could get that treatment unless the
entente allies completely beaten.
But assuming for sake Of discussion that the United
States and the entente allies were unable to conquer Ger
many and the other central powers 1t must be admitted
that the central powers scarcely hope to conquer u.s.
either If the to end indecsively, economic
might follow and It would be the worst calamity that
could befau Germany at that time for is the
breath of nations uosts and since 1914, Germany
has been getting very little air Quite correct is the Ger
view that Great Britain France, the United States
Italy and the other nations side would be able TO
enforce such economic isolation Of their enemies and the
neutrss woud have agree thereto be cut off from
trade with
As for senator Owens proposal that the economic screws
be applied now, the umstum would either end the war
wouldn't It would Germany convinced Of the
impossi5ility Of van1uishng the entente powers It