Norwich bulletin., 1919-10-23

l Atlantic City, N. J., Oct. z2.-Hun- l dreds of the worlds greatest busl.
 in the United States. Great Britain Frlnce, Italy and Belgium here today at the opening session of a ! three days "clinic" to diagnose inter ! their cure. The first day was spent largely in the organization of commit tees and other preliminary work. The International Trade Conference, as it is called, is being held under the auspices of the Chamber of Commerce of the United States. Among the no- tables who are invited to speak are King Albert of Belgium. Herbert Hoover, A. C. Bedfrod. chairman of the board of directors of the Standard Oil Company; Sir Arthur Shirley Benn,
 M. F.. England; Eugene Schneider,
 head of the Creusot works, the steel king" of France, F'lorimonde Hankar,
 of Brussels, director of the National Bank of Belgium and Fernando Guar tieri, formerly head of the Italian del- egation to the International Munitions Council.
 Ten committees, named by an execu- tive committee of which MT. Bedford is chairman, are to submit surveys and repors on American trade and financial conditionsa for the information and guidance of the 36 foreign delegates. The topics are as follows: Credit and Finance. Chemicals, Foodstuffs, Coal, Oil. Metals. Shipping. Textiles, Reconstruction Supplies and Perman- ent Organization. Of all these com portant than the one on credit and if nance headed by James s. Alexander. president of the National Bank of Commerce of New York.
 Discussing the objects of the Credit and Finance Committee, MT. Alexander said: Tt is to study the question of establishing normal trade relations between the United States and the nations of Europe, to provide an op- portunity for a frank discussion of the facts and an exchange of views with our visitors from England, France, Italy, and Belgium. Neither the for eign delegation nor the American com mittee is in any sense official.
 "It is hoped that a discussion around the table of the facts and the princi- pies involved may serve to expedite the establishments of sound credit conditions, based upon a renewal of understanding and condolences, and the steadily increasing production. The objective in tn minds of business men appears to be to place foreign trade on a normal basis, and not. except so far as the immediate emergency may demand to crystalline and perpetuate abnormal conditions by unusual meth ods.
 "In other words. the committees aim is to search out with all possible speed consistent with soundness, the ways
  Europe can freely carry full trade relations with the United States along business lines. economically sound, commercially desirable and reciprocal 1y beneficial. These elements form the only basis for relations which can be permanent and which therefore will be regarded as desirable either by the nations of Europe or the United !! States.
 Tt is hoped that the better under l standing of the needs involved and 1 of the resources available to meet i these needs. which are to be discuss ed here. will prove a forward step to- and natural agencies in the business and financial communities of the i world. of remedies sufficiently far 'ea ching to r-eo+ present difficulties and requirements"
 While it is a fact that the delegates i to the conference are not empowered l to pledge their governments in any i way. their recommendations are eX- 1 pected to carry great weight. The conference, it is said, has the Sym nathy'' of each nation represented. England, France, Italy and Belgium, IS well as the United States, has in attendance an official observer" who will report to his government and, where such a course is desirable. it s expected necessary enabling legis- ation'' will be passed to put the rec 'r1mendation of the conference into .ffect.
 Stabilization of foreign exchange is. the most vital topic up for consideration. One delegate puts it: We must stabilize exchange or we won't have any foreign trade at all. Europe needs vast quantities of raw semi-finished as well as fIn- shed goods. and the United States as