New-York tribune., 1919-05-19
French Believe
i. S. Is Courtine
Germany's Trade
Convinced American Finan-
cial Circles Are Aiming at
Agreements Unfavorable
to France and Belgium
NeU York Tribune
Special Cable Service

Copyright 1919. New York Tribune Inc)
PARIS, May 18.-In French circles
the chief concern seems to be their
belief that American financial circles
at the Paris conference are aiming for
special agreements with Germany
"Now that the peace treaty has been
delivered to Germany, it may be per-
missible to say that certain American
financial interests apparently endeav-
ored to direct Americas part therein
not so much in accordance with the
high principles which brought the
country into the war as a desire for a
future commercial understanding with
Germany" was the statement made by
an eminent French economist. He
added unconfirmed rumorS, such as one
that accused q certain Norwegian in
former of American financiers of nego-
tiating with the Bolsheviki but said
he could not furnish direct instances.
when the British and the other al
lies of France" he continued, "pro-
posed certain clauses of a commercial
nature justly adverse to Germany the
American delegation attached thereto
reservation stipulating that the
clauses should not be effective regard
ing American trade with enemy coun-
tries.
Bound to Reciprocity
"Then there was the reciprocity
clause. In it the Allies bound them
selves not to give or to receive special
favors, but the American delegation
asked that this clause be limited to
five years. What does this mean un-
less the American delegation had in
the back of it's head the desire to re-
serve the possibility of a special un-
derstanding and a special regime with
Germany?
II don't believe that the generous
American people would support this
policy if the financial situation of
France were made clear. 1t is a fact
that France cannot afford Immediately to
open wide the doors to American prod
Hcts. We owe you money, but how
can we pay it if we buy only American
products, thereby decreasing our own
production? In such case our ex
ports would not only fail to compen-
safe for our imports, but would not
even be sufficient to pay the interest
on our debt. If America considers
France only as a market for her prod
ucts she will be treating Franco as
Europe treated Turkey before 1914
Closed to Some Products
"The idea of the best French minds
is that the doors ought immediately |
be opened to certain American prod
ucts, but for little time be closed to
others, such, for instance, as France
can produce by her own industries"
Inquiries by The Tribune CORES
pondent show that this belief is gen.
cral, while the American attitude is
steady refusal to admit good reason
for the United States to bind itself to
postwar care for the Allies in matters
Of commerce.
There is, however, sympathetic an.
of the French situation.
The French point out that before the
war France had not only her agricult-
Ire and small industries, but included
such centres as Lyons, Saint Etienne,
drenoble and Marseilles, in a region
where great manufactures flourishcd
indcr highly enterprising men, con-
iucted by the most modern methods.
-> SA~"eNA P'AC VI ClllS prosperity was
overturned for the purposes of war
md must be allowed time to return to ,,
he purposes of peace. Cooperation is
the word heard everywhere and in this
connection the same French expert
ald to The Tribune correspondent:
since France must again become a
producing country, Americans could
produce on French soil, sharing the
benefits of industry organized by them I
ogether with the French. Cooperation {
;ould extend to the soil of the French 6
colonies, whose resources are tremen-
lous. 7
U. S. Doesn't Cooperate
"unfortunately the policy of the :
American delegation has not been 50
ar along the lines Of cooperation. The
'ery day of the armstce American ,
representatives in the various inter
Allled countries refused to continue
heir work, saying they had been ap-
pointed for the purposes of war and