New-York tribune., 1919-04-27
Germans Ready
TO Plunge Into
World Trade
Goods Now in Neutral Coun-
tries Awaiting Shipment,
Is Impression in Euro
pean Business Circles

Engla;sd, France and Belgium con-
slider Germany factor in the inter
national markets to-day despite her
severe economic losses during the war.
according to S. P. Halle, president of
the Halle Brothers e. Co. department
store, Of Cleveland
"Whilc I don't want to state on my
own authority" he said yesterday,
that Germany is already playing
large part in the worlds commerce.
that seems to be an impression abroad.
business men over there feel that
Germany already has shipped large
quantities of merchandise into such
neutral countries as Holland and the
Scandinavian nations, and are await
ing an opportunity to turn these goods
loose in allied, European and American
markets as soon as peace is settled
upon. There is an impression also
that Germany already has arranged for
the purchase of goods in allied coun-
tries, and in America. and that as soon
as possible these goods will make their
way into Germany"
Mr., Halle. who is president of the
National Retail Dry Goods Association
has just returned to this country after
a tour of England, France and Bel
GUM in company with thirty other
members of the Cleveland Chamber of
Commerce,
Belgians Want Machinery
than France" sad Mr.. Halle. "Thc
country il stripped clean and there Is
little left for the Bclginns to work
with except an indomitable spirit, The
beigans are leaning on America to mid
IN the restoration Of their country,
They say TO America. Just give us II
chance, Send VA machinery tools and
raw materials and extend us the credit
TO pay Tor them don't think their
pleas will be in vain. FOR | noticed
that American banking concerns
already were on the job over there"
The retail situation abroad. Mr..
Halls said, is in peculiar condition.
There is little retail trade in Belgium,
he explained, by virtue Of the fact that
the Germans had carried almost every
piece of portable merchandise out of
the country. In England, he continued,
stocks were small, but the retailers are
dong good business, and have been
al CnIOuBH tHe war. At present., he
continued, "retail prices are on level
or below those the wholesalers and
manufacturers are making for mer-
chandise for future delivery, and few
orders are taken on which delivery
can be promised before six months.
Reserve STOCK Wiped Out
-Four years of non production Of ci-
william merchandise have wiped out re-
serve stocks and the manufacturers are
just beginning to pick up the thread Of
activity Undoubtedly retail prices will
advance. There seems to be more man
ufacturing activity in the vicinity of
Paris and in southern France than in
England Paris is picking up her style
activities rapidly, and with the resump-
tion OF the races and other French no.
clal functions the style originating
brains Of Paris are onco more ut work,
think that Paris will get bhck 80
normal more quickly in hcr style lines
than in any other branch Of cndcavor.
Paris ntill has the hrtistic atmosphere"
In England and France, those who
buy are nn%ious for tho import rcs(rjc
tons TO be lifted, while those who mnn
ufhcturc merchandise with which for
cign products would complete. nrc in
favor Of continuing those restrictions.
Mr. Halle sAid. ''''