The sun., 1919-09-02
GERMANS SLASH
LONDON PRICES
Teuton Made Goods Appear in
England With Opening
Of Trade Door.
OFFER BUSINESS BATS
British Industries Alarmed by
Sudden thrush of For
eign Articles.

Copyright, 1919. oil rights reserved,

NOptft0bN, Sls, ut gtNhtb TcScTOcu
LONDON. Sept. !. German goods
once more have made their appear
ance in the London market, although
Great Britain only opened her trade
door to-day. Samples Of German
goods, with circulars containing prices,
are reaching English merchants in
every mail, and reports have reached
the National Union Of British Manu-
facturers that, German representatives
already are busy in London and pro-
vincial towns Offering merchants every
inducement to take goods for immedi-
ate delivery.
German merchants are sending
small fancy goods by post, some of
these samples having reached London
to-day, despatched apparently shortly
after Premier Lloyd George announced
the restrictions would be removed.
Goods Ready for shipment.
Tc-day's invitations, marked "confi-
dential" were sent out by representa-
tives OF German houses to British
houses TO Inspect the samples sent and
to note that the prices were below
British quotations for similar goods.
In some instances the Germans offered
to pay freight to Antwerp. Others de-
clared they had goods in Scandinavian
countries waiting for shipment.
This situation is considered so alarm
ing that various sections of the fed
Grated British industries will hold meet
ings Immediately and the view expressed
will be submitted to the Board of Trade.
German postcards, hairpins, curling
irons and toys were placed on sale in
several parts of London to-day at prices
40 per cent. under local quotations. Brit
ish manufacturers probably will be
forced to buy German dyes, which are
said to be by far the best manufactured
and which the Germans say cannot be
duplicated in England even with all the
experience gained in the war.
Various German firms are fully pre-
Ispared to take advantage OF this situation
and have invited English manufacturers
| of cloth goods to resume business rela-
tions with them. In most cases, per-
haps nine out of ten, British firms will
refuse to make any purchases in Ger
many but it is the tenth buyer who will
eventually force the others to buy cheap
| German goods or lose trade.
Numerous British firms already have
agents in Germany. declaring they must
seek business there before the Ameri-
cans get it all , They declare that II
America has no scruples about dealing
with the late enemy they also must cast
aside their prejudices and go after Ger
| man trade despite their feeling of re-
pugnance.
Need of Purchase shown.
ut may seem unpatriotic to buy Ger
man goods" said one textile manufac-
turer, "but you must remember that
British manufacturers cannot AFFORD to
pass UP such goods from Germany when
they cannot get anything 30 suitable OF
so cheap elsewhere. The great peril OF
protection is that IT protects the in
| efficient or backward methods. II
doesn't encourage the British dye manu-
| faoturer to improve his processes. II
| only forces the user of dyes to pay a
higher price for an inferior article"
The same philosophy has reached
! other lines OF activity, with the result
that British trade with Germany prob
| ably will reach pre-war proportions In
the near future. Three British naviga-
| ton companies announce that beginning
September 15 their steamships will load
at Bremen, Hamburg and Rotterdam
with cargoes for India, 80 even IL trade
with England doesn't pick up rapidly II
| is expected the Germans will soon be
trading with the British colonies