Evening star., 1918-07-15
u. S. NOT IN CEC|L'S)
WAR-END BOYCOTT
Nation Has Not Committed
Itself to Economic Union
Against Foe.
PROBABLE PROCEDURE
By DAVID LAWRENCE.
Copyright. 1918. by the New York Evening
Post Company

By DAVID LAWRENCE.
Copyright. 1913. BY the New York Evening
Post Company
Lord Robert CeciPs statement that
an economic association or union Of
twenty four nations is already in ex-
istence which is TO live after the war
is susceptible Of the Interpretation that
America already has committed her
self to a post-bellum policy OF trade
discrimination, but the fact is that
while favoring in principle an economic
alliance, if it should be found neces-
sary, no pact or agreement beyond the
duration Of the war has been signed
by the United States government.
This is not to say that the United
States will not enter into such an
arrangement. but 1t is well that there
should be a clear understanding, not
only in this country but among the
peoples Of the central powers. Of just
what are our intentions.
Quotes President.
Lord Cecil quoted aptly from Presi-
dent Wilson's address to Congress Of
December 4, in which the President
made the significant statement that IL
the German people should still. after
the war was over, continue to be
obliged to live under ambitious and
intriguing masters interested to dis
turb the peace of the world. it might
be impossible to admit them to tho
partnership of the nations or to free
Intercourse"
What the President did was to make
1t clear that while the United States
denounced economic barriers and dis
examinations and would work constantly
for their removal, nevertheless about
the only safeguard the entente would
have against a failure by Germany
to live up to the guarantees she gave
at the peace ccnfereuces would es the
use of economic weapons II Germany
into effect Immediately: II she disposed
OF her intriguing masters, the militaristic
group that foisted the war upon the
world: IL she set up a liberal govern
ment in which the masses Of Germany
could participate, then a square deal
and equal place would be given the
merchants of the central powers.
Would Commercially Die.
VI dAtSI tuC We luc SCIhiublc LUZ
raw materials will be intense. and IL
Germany is excluded from the mate
rails she needs with which to re-en-
ter fields of competition she will
commercially die slow death. In
deed, II the Germans do not live up
to such guarantees as may be finally
obtained from them. II they refuse to
apply Immediately the provisions OF
the peace treaty. the commercial dis
elimination would produce. the allies
believe, such internal unrest as to
bring about a revolution IN Germany
or an overthrow at least Of the pres
ent rulers.
Apparently President Wilson has
thought the same way, for he said in
his December speech that the bar
ring of Germany from the economic
alliance would result in such q situa-
tion which would in the very nature
Of things sooner or later cure itself
by processes which would assuredly
set in"
Would Force Change.
This has been construed to mean
that the German people. when they
saw the effects of their governments
stubborpness, would force a change
and compel the establishment OF 4
government that could be admitted
to the partnership of free nations.
And that Is the status OF the matter
SO far as official Washington IL con-
cerned today. with this significant de-
yelopment, however: The desirability
of an organization of the entente ma
tions and such neutrals as would como
into it sympathetically Is being every
where suggested. SO that, instead of
waiting until after the war for q
league of nations. a practical associa.
ton can be evolved now.
Nothing would have as much ef-
feet in Germany, many observers here
feel, as the establishment of such =
league with a comprehensive state
ment of its aims and obligations. Ger
many would know that the suggested
league of nations was no longer an
abstract theory, but a practical idea
stances of admission to or rejection
from such a league.
FRUITS Would Be Valueless.
The bread and butter Of her masses
and the power OF the German nation
to recuperate after the war would
depend upon 1t. The central powers
might go on fighting for years and
might even acquire few miles more
each year on the western front, and
important cities, but unless the rest
Of the world was ready to declare
on the immense boycott automatical-
ly organised against the central pow
ers the fruits of militarism would be
forever valueless.
American and British policy differed
somewhat in the beginning. The
President declared himself against all
economic determinations. believing
trade wars to be responsible for the
friction that produced international
bloodshed. But the necessity Of using
the tremendous reservoirs of raw ma
terisle in possession Of the twenty
SourI entente nations as q trading
point to force q release by Germany
Of the territory she has occupied as
well as the overthrow of q ruling
class that would continue to menace
the peace Of the world has become
more and more apparent until 1t can
be said that the United States and the
allies are In substantial agreement as
to how the weapons Of trade are to
be used.
Eject Of an Allowance.
But SO long as there is no practical
alliance or union. Germany will be-
lieve that she will not be injured after
the war. That is why Lord Cecil's
reference to the existence Of an eco
nomic association will tend to focus
attention on thu necessity for reveal