South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-04-13
EXPECTS
OF TRADE BAN
Dodge Foreign Sales Man.
aqer Confident Nations
will ReIent.

Restrictions now IN force against
foreign made motor cars are very
apt 20 be relaxed in France ana
England before long, according 10
II. NJ. Robins. foreign sales manager
for Dodge Brothers. Detroit who
has just returned from an EXTENDED
business trip through those couh-
tries. Several influences are at
work in England 20 bring this
about +" he said The most progress
sive English dealers had long
handled American made cars before
the war. They sold well, and nat
uraIly these dealers are working
hard 70 have the restrictions re-
moved So is the American cham
Der OF commerce in London. Then
there is the old free trade sentiment
in England which has always looked
with disfavor upon trade restrictions
OF any kind Moreover the slow re-
adjustment OF factories To peace
basis. together with the instability
Of the labor market just now, pre-
vent manufacturers from carrying
out any large program Of manufac-
for low priced motor cars. Perhaps
the greatest Influence OF all, is a
fear OF reprisals. IL is felt that the
United States could seriously en-
barrass England by placing an en-
barge on certain raw materials.
other Influences Working.
These influences are not all
working for US in France. But
others are. The French people have
had a first hand opportunity TO see
the low priced American motor cars
at their best during the war, and
now they are demanding an Oppor-
tunity to buy them. Ii seems 10 me
this pressure is bound 70 have re-
suits.
IT noticed that every American
soldier still in France is beginning
to take "A lively interest not only in
when he is going 20 get home, but
whether or not there will be a job
for him when he gets there. At
times the concern shown for this lat
ter phase or the homecoming was
almost pitiable. l took an automo-
bile trip up the Loire river, through
regions where the chief language
spoken is Yankee slang. and you
still hear many tale Of what would
have happened to Heinie if the arm
istice had not been declared just
when it was. These boys will have
many interesting things TO tell about
the valley OF the Loire for it is very
picturesque, in spite OF the almost
constant rain that has fallen there
for months. Like the Rhine valley,
it is lined with ancient castles, tow
ering out of the rocks. I visited one
where the famed Blue Beard is sup
posed to have hung his wives up by
the hair.
BOlshevism i'm England.
'BOlshevism is causing mucI, more
concern in England than in France.
Frobably the reason is that the
French are individualists and are
not so readily organized into move
ments OF this kind. But the food
situation in both countries is fast
getting back 70 normal and this will
help labor conditions. Food is
scarcer in England, but more expen-
sive in France.
"I found railroad rates much
higher IN France than in America.
sleeping car rates being almost pro-
hibitive. But. Of course, the coun-
try is small, and 1t is seldom neces-
sary TO travel at night. One da I
happened to ask a porter on one OF
the trains for some matches He
looked at me in great surprise for a
moment, but finally returned with
two. 1 later learned that the gov
eminent has monopoly on matches
in France. and they are not only
scarce but very poor. Nearly every
body carries a patent flint lighter
arrangement, though even these are
supposed TO be registered.
Practically all French motor cars
are equipped with the old fashioned
bulb horns. The French towns are
rather quiet during the dav and n
the American IL is an amusing thing
20 hear the sQuawking that sets IN
about D. m. whsn the business
world quits for the day, and also
after the theater. 1t sounds consid-
eraoly like a flock OF large geese"