The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-03-03
Britain Alarmed
Over U. S. Trade
Afraid America win Secure
Such a Running Start in
World Business It Will Be
Impossible to Overcome.
BY ROBERT wT1LEs RrrCHrE.

BY ROBERT WFII4ES RrTCHTE.
London, March 2.--There Is a grow
ing fear amounting almost to a panic
In some quarters here, over the tardi-
ness of Rritains postwar trade to
get into it's swing
One hears expressions of undis-
guised fears that American trade and
American shipping will get such IL
running start THAT Britain will he IN
able ever to resume her place as the
worlds trade hub.
So general Is this trepidation. and
such prominent men in the trade
world have expressed themselves pes
simistically. that the present confu
sion of British trade bulks with the
Ia Dor dem obfTiza Tion and other major
postwar problems confronting the
empire.
For several days I have conscien-
tiously attempted to obtain a compar--
alive statement OF the causes from
interviews with leading British trade
experts. This investigation leads TO
the following outstanding conclusions:
/. Britain has begun to realize that
New York Ia now the worlds finan-
cial center and that America stands in.
the position OF the heaviest creditor.
not only OF Britain. but OF the other
entente powers as well.
=. The present industrial crisis,
which shows no reliable signs OF i'm
mediate abatement. acts by it's very
threat ms a paralysis OF the Wholesale
resumption Of ante-war manufactures
making capital timorous and portpon-
Ing indefinitely the normal resumption
OF Rrttain's export TRADE.
Z. The world g policy Of not ebating
many war restrictions on the ono
hand and juggling in millions through
experiments ana expensive legislation
to correct postwar evils on the other
hand. n not only increasingly in the
staggering debt, but insuring fndeh-
mite heavy taxation OF industries.
When tho BritaGh government made
most elaborate plans during the con-
tinuance OF the war through the Gre
alton OF numberless commissions and
boards OF inquiry and battalionS OF
trade scouts ready to be released the
minute the Armtstice was signed. it
did not reckon with one great evil
which was destined to upset the func-
tons OF all these distributing factors
even before they had begun indus
trial upheavzf.
Now the phenomenon IL presented
Of the whole elaborate theoretical MAJ
chine being damned and refusing to
operate because of unforeseen con-
tinyenciea
America and Japan are taking full
advantage Of the opportunity to cap
ture Brftain's export trade" said
Samuel Samuel. III. p, OF the famous
shipping firm of Marius Samuel and
company, tonight "At its present
rate OF progress New York will cap
ture for all time the position Of tho
worlds clearing house.
You ask mo why? The answer is
simple. The war trade board still
maintains q legthy list Of restrictions
OF exports. while America has lifted
hers and Is flooding the markets with
American goods. The British govern
ment still imposes impossible restrtc-
tons on cables so as to entail eight or
even ten days transmission to India
or China. Tho result ID that the fluc-
tuating market may make several
changes while cables quoting prices
are being sent and before an answer Il
received.
The British merchant cannot carry
the load Of war restrictions ON his
back and expect 10 compete with the
keen Yankee traders who are; unre-l
stricted-"