Evening star., 1919-12-22
SWEDEN'S WILLINGNESS
TO AID GERMANY NOTED
Can Send Raw Materials Provided
American Business Men
Provide the Credit.
BY HAL O'FLAHERTY.
Special CablcEram to The Star and
Chicago Daily News. Copyright, 1919.

Special G1blcEram to The Star and
Chicago Daily News. Copyright, 1919.
STOCKHOLM Sweden, December 10
Sweden is ready to do her utmost
toward helping Germany through the
period of economic stress by furnish
ing raw materials, such as iron and
other ores. timber and wood pulp on
a large scale. but she cannot extend
any considerable credits nor con-
tribute foodstuffs. Foreign Minister
Johannes Hellner made this statement
today in reply to my question as to
what this country was able to do in
the line of supplies and credits, based
upon the assumption that America
must be the biggest creditor.
although it is practically lmpos-
sible for any one in authority to make
a definite statement or give any de-
tails of what Sweden will be able to
do, said the minister, lit can be en-
phatically stated that Sweden will as
SSt to the best of her ability in the
economic reconstruction with natu-
rally means the restoration of the bal
auce of trade and industry in middle
Europe. However. in the matter of
credits Sweden is not in a position
further to drain her treasury. which
was hit heavily during the war. Only
very large credits can have any last
ing effect and therefore our contribu-
tion along this line Will not be neceS-
sary. Our supplies of foodstuffs are
still insufficient for home consump-
ton. so our help must go forth in the
form of raw materials
Sweden's Attitude Important.
This promise on the part of the
Swedish government to throw its
strength into the movement for the
rehabilitation of central Europe is
of the utmost Importance. for Sweden
possesses 90 per cent of the high
grade ore mined in Europe. If finan-
cial assistance enables Germany to
become a large purchaser she can
have approximately her pre-war share
of Sweden's iron exports. which
amount ed to more than 100000 tons
annually. This one item in itself
would rejuvenate Europe's trade by
restarting the factories long idle
through lack of materials. Although
sweden produces very little ore other
than iron. a certain amount of zinc
and copper now greatly needed would
go to Germany as an emergency
measure.
By far the most important con-
tribution from Sweden is timber and
wood pulp. which in the course of
the next year will be going toward
Germany in even greater quantities
than before the war In all circles
of swedish life there is evident a
but this cannot be done on limited
credit or with prohibitive ex-
change rate. Every one looks forward
anxiously for a final settlement OF
the muddled peace. If this comes
early in January an immediate move
ment toward trade activity will be-
gin. Considerable suspicion still ap-
pears when mention is made of Ger
many's new republican government,
but if it weathers the next few weeks
business concerns will be willing to
take the chance to deal with German
merchants upon a long-term credit
basis.
Optimistic About Germany.
Linnard Larson, president of the
Swedish Ocean Company. one of the
country's greatest exporting and i'm
porting houses. speaks with consid-
cradle optimism about Germany's fu-
ture.
to recover her commercial strength,
regardless of whether she receives
outside aid or not. But it would be
we'll for the rest of the world were
some assistance given her in the
process of rebuilding her internal
economy. Her future is not as black
as it is painted by the politicians.
human element than any question OF
abstract economics. She has RESPONSE
BILE men of affairs equipped with the
same brains they had before the war
and trained 10 hdndle business OF any
proportion if given an opportunity.
1t is wholly a question of our faith
in that ability. credit being based
upon faith When some stable po-
litical situation is evolved then
American. English and Scandinavian
firms will have an opportunity OF
showing their faith in Germany's
business men and help them TO get
started in a small way at their fac
tories.
Opportunity for Americans.
To-day ] had an application for en-
pioyment by a German from Hamburg
who once conducted an enormous
shipping business. He is a substan-
tiai man who could be trusted for any
term of credit, but his business has
disappeared. In the German cities
there are scores of men of this cali
her who deserve credit and will get
il when the time is ripe. At present
l would not feel justified in extending
nine months or years credit. but