Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1919-03-25
GERMAN DRIVE IN
u. S. TO BE MADE
WITH HER POTASH
Enemy Well Situated to Un-
derSeII American Product,
Other Products Likely to
Be Sent Here

WASHINGTON, March 22.-Germa-
ny's first drive for American markets,
after peace comes-will be with
cheap potash, according to informa-
ton received by United States trade
bureaus.
The Teuton commercial interests
will open their trade war, according
to these advices, by attempting a
strong underselling campaign in
America. featuring potash as her
first goods.
No machinery exists by which the
United States can check any under
selling campaign Germany may un-
dertake, either for potash or any ar
ticle, officials say. A bill to limit i'm
portation of potash into the United
States was lost in the last congress.
The peace conference, it is sug
gested, however, could limit Germa-
nys expectations to a certain extent
through ship control and treaty.
High Tariff Protection
High tariffs would prevent open
dumping and underselling.
1t has been suggested the war trade
board, which automatically ceases to
exist with the PRONUNCIATION of peace,
be carried over to regulate, for 8
time, trade relations with Germany.
This board with the machinery it
built up during the war should be
dumping" campaigns, experts say.
Special powers would have to be ex-
tended to it by congress first, they
say.
Meanwhile Germany is we'll situat-
ed to undersell American producers
NJ och ha
her normal production during the
war and has a large supply. In 1917
she mined more than 100000 tons,
according to the United States geo.
logical department.
Germany should be able to sell
potash in America at $3.50 per unit
of ten pounds, according to the de-
partment of agriculture. American
produced potash now is selling for
from 81 to SO.
Used as Fertilizer
Potash, which is necessary to
American agriculture, is used as fer
tilizer on nearly all American farms.
Approximately 240, 10000 tons Of 1t
is used annually in the United States.
Prior to 1914 most of this came from
Germany. 1t was her leading export
to America and netted her $15,000,000
a year.
When the war shut off the Ger
man supply millions of American dol
lars were put into hundreds of firms
in every part of the country which
began producing potash from sea
weed, Wood ashes, natural deposits
and scores of other sources. 1mporta-
tions to the United States were
slight last year.
The American potash industry will
be killed by German competition and
dumping" unless protected, produc-
erS say.
other Commodities
other commodities for which Ger
many had a big market here and
with which she might try to re-
gain control of can markets
despite American war-born indus
tr! Which ~ produce them are
indicated in recent reports of the
department . commerce. The re-
ports list the leading Or Ger
man exports to til United States
in the order OF their financial i'm
portance. Some of then! are:
Coal tar dyes. nearly S7,000,000;
toys, So 600 600; raw fur skins and
calf skins. $7,O00,Ge0; cheap gloves
and gloves, leather, $5,000,O00: cleo
trical appliances, $1,5OO,OOO; cotton
stockings and socks, cotton gloves,
$4,000, 300, and India rubber, raw and
refined, S2,5O0,0G0.