The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1919-04-07
MONDAY MORNING, APRIL :
GERMAN CHICANERY.

GERMAN CHICANERY.
Somewhere in Germany are carefully-prepar-
ed card indexes of thousands Of former clients
and customers of the industries and business
wrecked by the Germans in northern France.
They were systematically prepared by German
trade experts during the war for use in the days
after the war.
These days are now approaching. And what
is the prospect?
The most important industrial district Of
France is not able to turn wheel. German in
dustries are already working or all ready to get
back in the business scramble.
In their quest for trade they have records
'strade secrets"-of the French industries they
ruined. They hope to grab lot of that trade
before France can possibly be in position to COM
pete for it.
The people who used to buy from these
French factories that were, are going to buy
again. Germany is going after that business.
That is what French statesmen mean-or q
sample of what they mean-when they talk
about Germany building upon the ruins Of
France.
That is what business men mean when they
ask: rs not Germany. beaten in the field. In
good position to win the war commercially, so
far as France is concerned"
Frances peace mission has been severely criti-
cized, in France as well as out for holding back
on lifting the blockade.
They have been accused of Observation-Disclosures
in objecting to allowing Germany to buy food
with money which might be otherwise available
for repairing some Of the damage done in France
and Belgium.
They have wanted measure Of military pro-
lection in form that has not met with the APP
prevail of other missions.
Whether France has been right or wrong,
whether she has seen clearly or whether she has
been short-sighted is not the point here.
The point is that nobody who knows and
weighs ten facts can fail to sympathize with
Frances desire for an "even break or better;
nobody who thinks about it at all can afford to
allow the German propaganda that is seeking to
twist Frances attitude into something that isn't,
to bias their judgment or menace the friendship
that has existed for centuries between America
and France.
The French are certain that the system and
motive behind the German ruination is even to-
day not understood in America.
Not only did the Germans collect names Of
customers of French misunderstanding hid reg
ular inquiries, called in the business men Of the
industrial district and forced them to give al
the details of their business.
They were German trade experts, these In
vestigators. They took records Of how much
business the factory did, what It's profits were,
its costs. its collection and delivery arrange
ments, its sales to larger customers.
This was done systematically. methodieally.
completely, in st. Quentin, Cambria, Chauny
and many other towns in the Somme wilderness.
That was the first step. Notice the system.
+ Then came the looting. First went manufac-
tured goods, then raw materials, the machinery
into Germany.
After that-the mines, and the tar and petrol; s
the destruction an carried out As methodically
as the theft of trade and business secrets. And
all in preparation for the days when business
would get onto peace basis. when the Germans
hoped to be able to seize the trade of the indus
xies they laid waste.
(