Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-07-28
Bitter Complaints Made.

Impatient at the delays that have
occurred because Of the apparent in
action of governmental agencies in
lending immediate concrete assistance
several groups of American exporters
have complained bitterly at lack Of
assistance by the government. Posi-
bly, most notable of these are the cot
ton growers of the south. More than
$500, 000, 900 of raw cotton lies in south
Germany. This cotton, it Is stated, in
the main, is considered third rate
product, but Germany is one Of the
countries Of the world which can util-
ize in large measure this class Of
product. The market is open, but the
question of export facilities, financial
arrangements and lack of knowledge
Of actual business conditions within
Germany itself makes the export haz-
ardous.
Cotton men and other groups Of ex-
porters, notably agricultural and ma
chine tools people, insist that appar-
emit inactivity of this government in
facilitating movements toward Ger
many or in supplying adequate Gre
dentials for business investigators
and failure to give official account of
true conditions prevailing within Ger
many have thrown this country far
behind in the race for the markets of
central Europe.
It is an established fact that France
and Great Britain have agents in the
far corners of Germany. Many Of
these have no official status. but many,
in semi-ofi1cial capacity. supply their
governments with data extremely val
liable to the interests which are ex-
pecting to resume export relations
with Germany on a large scale. The
French and British already have book
ed great orders with German firms.
They have found surprisingly little
opposition on the part Of the Ameri-
can business man, though the latter
has been expected, the world over,
to get jump on the situation by vfr-
tue of early rejuvenated business
power occasioned by going industries.
Germany's Financial Status.
The French and British. neverthe-
less, are meeting serious obstacles in
getting fuldllment of their orders.
There are three reasons Ger
many's financial condition at the mo-
ment is not one to inspire greatest con-
fidence. Germany has but gold, securi-
ties and finished products with which
to pay for the tremendous imports she
has received.
The gold and securities are mort
gagged for the payment Of tremendous
war indemnities and the finished
products are not desired in several
European countries. The French and
British governments are not in posi-
ton at the moment to finance trade
with Germany on tremendous scale
because of peculiar economic and
financial conditions at home. But
these governments are taking active
interest in the formation of large
private holding companies, which can
handle credits Of constantly increas-
ing proportions. according to ad-
vices which have been received in
The question of credits to the CEN
trail powers. great potential fields Of
American business and commercial
endeavor, is a problem which govern
ment officials in Washington declare
is so perplexing that as yet no sat
Several plans are under consideration,
including the financing of a big bill
lion-d dollar corporation in New York.
According to government officials
here there are several plans through
which the American business man
trade with Central Europe with the
least possible danger of loss, be-
cause of unsettled finances, but these
plans invariably call for government
participation and guarantees against
loss Owing to the political situation
administration forces Immediately
will lend ear to any proposal which
will provide for a system of govern
mental guarantees for payment for
exported products. Secretary Red
field Of the Department Of Commerce
which may permit this government
to take a larger part in export BUSH
ness in enemy countries. but this is
purely tentative at the moment.