The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-01-21
TO LIFT BLOCKADE
Allied Nations Are Studying the
Problem Just Now.
Joint Discussion May Open
During the Coming Week.
RELAXATION is CONTEMPLATED
Americans Would Allow Some
Materials in Enemy Lands.
Railroads, Flour and Food Mills
Should Start Up.

Paris, Jan. Flowing to pressure
of more urgent problems before dele
gates to the peace congress, various
economic delegations are studying,
each for itself, the blockade and kim.
dred problems. 1t is probab BILE they
will inaugurate joint discussions dur
ing the coming week.
The American viewpoint contem-
plates a certain relaxation of the ear
lier water tight" blockage which
would allow the entry of foodstuffs,
lubricants and other materials into
enemy countries. This, it is held,
would permit the restoration of dis
tributing systems, flour mills and 9TH
er agencies involved in the preparation
cf food supplies. The blockade. how
ever, would otherwise be as rigidly en-
forced as ever because of it's value as
a weapon to force the enemy to accept
the peace terms that will be presented.
Partly Effective Now.
The relaxa ton of the blockade as
regards foodstuffs is already effective
in a portion of the former Hapsburg
domains. Food is being sent into vi
emma as well as to liberated regions
and will be supplied to Germany un-
der the terms of the armistice eXten-
sion agreement signed at Treves last
Friday.
Al.erican experts are said to believe
cants, reAair parts for locomotives and
flour mills and other articles fall in
virtually the same category as food
stuffs. since it is obvious the enemy
countries have no adequate facilities
for milling flour and distributing 1000
after it is imported.
Some American economic experts
advocate for enemy countries. at least
Austria Hungary, and possibly Gers
many a further relaxation OF the
| 49, -fr,ff fr.v-1 1rNE
limited quantities of raw materials.
These imports, however, would not be
enough to permit the central powers
to resume international commercial
competition while the allied countries
are still laboring under the handlcap
of the devastation of their chief indus
trial regions. the spoliation of indus
trial plants. the transformation of the
great bulk of their remaining factories
into war plants and the absence of in
dustrial laborers who are still under
arms.
Materials Are Needed.
The manufacture of textiles for eX-
ample, is urgently required to meet
the needs of enemy populations, and
/ the production of other materials IS
held to be absolutely indispensable.
This, it is said, would facilitate re-
lief measures and alleviate conditions
| of unemployment upon which Boil
shevism thrives, particularly in Hun
gary.
The problem of trade restrictions
! on neutralS as a part of the enemy
| blockade is also under consideration.
| There is a disposition in American
| quarters to permit expectation of
most raw materials used in industries
| in such quantities as are required to
meet the demands of home consump-
ton. This demand will. it is said,
prevent large exports from neutrals
| to adjacent enemy countries.
| This problem, however. is compl-
Gated by the question of possible com
i petition between neutrals and the
| handicapped entente belligerents be-
! fore the latter are completely restored
to their ante bellum efficiency. 1t is
urged by representatives of various al
lied and associated governments that
| it would be unfair to give neutrals
undue facilities to rush in and seize
world trade while the entente belllg-
eYents are unable to compete on equal
! terms. American representatives be-
Iieve it is understood that it is quite
| feasible to arrange a compromise be-
tween belligerents and neutrals in
i this matter
At least one of the European bellig-
| erents has an economic program
, which it desires to see incorporated
| in the adjustments affected by the
peace congress. This program in
cludes the supply of raw materials and
the restoration and recuperation OF
trade at moderate prices thru a sys-
tenn of priority export licenses. The
program also includes financial and
| trade arrangements, it is said.