New-York tribune., 1919-02-13
u. S. Dry Law
Hastens French
Industrial Era
George A. CASTOR Tells of
Competition Developing
in European Countries

le duOpllOn or prohibition in the
United States has supplied France with
the final, compelling motive for trans
forming herself into a distinctively in
dustrial country. The plans of French
business men to-day are all shaping
themselves with the idea Of this indus
trial future prominently in view
SO said George A. Castor, president
of the firm of CASTOR, Williams g. Wig
more, ship owners and merchants, who
has just returned to New York after
ten weeks investigation into business
conditions in the devastated portions
of Europe.
Although France furnishes the most
conspicuous example of this turn to
industrialism," said he, "the same
tendency prevails pretty generally
throughout Europe. 1t is especially
marked in Italy. There, as in France,
the industrial lessons of the war have
been deeply taken to heart. Every
where automatic machinery is being
introduced, wartime plants are being
diverted to peace-time uses and inten-
New Competition Seen
The result of all this activity, Mr..
CASTOR declared, is going to be to put
new competitors into the fields where
America previously has been strongest.
To-day, he added, it behooves the
American business man to revise his
European viewpoint somewhat and be-
stir himself
~ don't mean by that" he explained,
"that I anticipate any depression. AS
result of my trip am more stronely
than ever with those who look for an
era of great prosperity. Vast as the
new enterprises developing overseas
are, in the period now beginning there
Is going to be business enough for all
There are going to be profits enough
for all-big profits. There ere going
tc be particularly advantageous condi-
tlons for American capital, but Ameri-
can capital has got to do it's share if
1t is to reap the benefits of them
In Belgium, he said, the belief is
general that restoration will be effect
cd very quickly. Money is plentiful
Business men speak of their export and
trade prospects in the most hopeful
tone. In Italy he found the manu-
facture of automobiles being under
taken on an extensive scale.
Italy Looks TO Orient
Italy" he added, "is looking toward
the Orient for her commercial future
that is, to a great extent. Already her
statesmen are busy pushing Italian
manufactures in Asia Minor and Con-
stantinoplc."
Rumaria, he continued, is sending
out loud calls for American agricul-
tural implements as she prepares for
the "new era" having already placed
orders for 100000 worth Of these
Bohemia also he found to be in a
highly prosperous state.
"Vienna," said he, has apparently
lost all her old prestige, and people
Prague. The population of the latter
city has recently increased by 100000.
And here and in all the region round
about all sorts of supplies are needed
clothing, cloth, shoes, etc, and par
ticuarly soap. There is also a tre-
mendous demand for printing presses.
Incidentally, Mr.. CASTOR mentioned
that fears of immediate German COM
petition here, or anywhere else for
that matter, were, according to his in
formation, largely exaggerated.
German Equipment Worn Out
"Germanys industrial equipment
has been subjected to terrific strain
by the war" he said. "I have it on
excellent authority that most of it is
to-day so worn out that Germany will
be unable to do much commercially
for some time"
"The first people who get into the
Black Sea-" he said, with the path
way into Russia, are going to make
killing. This is obvious, but America
ought to bear it in mind"
Revertlng to conditions in France,
Mr.. CASTOR said that the railroad stu
alton there is in a shocking state just
now, with cars going astray all over
the country. However, steps are in
contemplation to straighten this out,
and then a great commercial impetus,
he reiterated, is assured
"The thing for Americans to do" he
continued, 'is to give the French what
they want. though, not what we think
they ought to want. For instance, we
talk of our rebuilding France The
French are going to do their own re-
building. Make no mistake about that
And they're quite capable Of it,"
France Needs Money Most
What France most desires from the
United States, this investigator stated.
is capital and skilled mechanical ad
vice. But they want to run things
themselves" he said
Just now he pursued, there are two
factions in the French industrial
world, one of which believes that the
machinery necessary to restoration
work should be imported from this
country, the other holding that it
should be manufactured at home. Mr.
CASTOR seemed inclined to think that
the latter group would prevail. The
general atmosphere, he said. was in
its favor, with cheap automobiles.
small tools, sowing machines and type
writers on the American models al
ready being turned out from the reno
waited war factories.
Mr. Castor indorsed the suggestion
which, he said originated with him
for the establishment of Federal Re-
serve Bank at Odessa, that, as an aid
to Russian trade, should issue roublo
redeemable in American dollars.
England to Control Banks
The speaker also discussed the
shipping situation at some length.
"In the last analysis, though" he
said, "the shipping question is one
that Great Britain will settle. How
ever the league of nations may be
finally adjusted, whatever peace may
be made, England will still be mistress
of the seas. There is no question
about that She will also be mistress
of the banks"