The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-09-26
Wideawake Brit Al n Alrea iy Camped
In Germany.

Great Britain, the paramount world
trader before the war, was back on the
job before the ink on the treaty of
peace was dry. By all signs she is re-
arranging her commercial compacts,
even with Germany, before the other
Allies have ratified the treaty or have
finished debating 1t. In the last sew
eral peace months she has increased
her exports some three-qmrters of a
billion Of dollars. Wise old England
Able manager and trained regulator,
she was planning it all out while the
battles waged. she was ready for
it when the firing ceased.
Great Britain Is taking in many
cargoes from Germany. She Is deliv-
ering many cargoes into Germany.
The cables tell US that she already
has proceeded so far with this read
justment and resumption of former
trade relations that the Germans have
authorized in Berlin a British board
Of control to regulate the German
goods that shall be permitted to go
into the markets Of the United King
dom and the British goods that are to
have smooth sailing into the markets
Of the German States.
This seems to be one good answer
to those who think that Germany is
more or less permanently restrained
from stepping back into International
trade because of her inability to get
raw material. On the face Of II she
Is getting enough raw material for
an exchange of trade with the stu
pendous British market. On the face
Of 1t, too, British capital, British
credit and British sources of supply
will abundantly provide for German
industries all the raw materials they
may require to revive and maintain
the old flow of traffic between the
two mortal enemies of yesterday.
Another good answer Is In the ca
bles which are so busy In these days
with reports Of German financial, in
dustrial and commercial conditions.
They advise us of arrangements now
negotiating in Argentina for a Ger
man credit there of $100.0O0,000-
Argentina, relatively a speck on the
vast international trade field! From
Argentina Germany can get on that
credit not merely such supplies as
grain and meats. She can get such
raw materials as fax and wool for
cloth and clothing. hides for shoes and
harness and other leather articles.
Still anotheI answer seems to be in
those cables which are also telling of
the revival of Industry In the Essen
district. In Germany, in all Europe,
mention of the Essen district CONVEYS
to the minds of men what in this
country is conveyed to American
minds by the term Pittsburg district.
The Essen district is not yet what It
was. 1t will not be for many a day.
Nevertheless trustworthy reports are
that 1t Is not destitute of iron and
steel; 1t Is not destitute Of coal.
There is enough Of these materials to
yield a high production once the re-
adjustment and reorganization are
completed. AS a matter of fact, In
some of the Industries there are mills
and factories now working with two
eight hour shifts all even three eight
hour shifts a day.
With the German people willing to
work, ready to work, determined to
! work, German industry can get raw
materials the world over on the
straight, simple business proposition
Of bank discounts German industry
can take the hides Of Argentina, man.
ufacture them, export them. sell them,
take up with the proceeds In a few
months the notes on which the raw
material was bought, with a hand
some profit on the transaction left in
German pockets.
German Industry can DO the same
thing with American copper. German
industry can do the same thing with
American cotton. German industry
can do the same thing with other
American raw material. But 1t Is
Great Britain, shrewd, vigIlant, pains
taking, which is on the job of resum-
ing business with German industry
1t is Great Britain which now has the
edge in Germany on American produc.
ers. 1t is Greak Britain which is writ.
ing double mortgages on German trade
outward bound and inward bound.
Meanwhile, Mr.. WILSON'S sole am
bition, and the chief labor of the
United States Government, is his
League OF Nations. To everything
else we are asleep, while wldeawake
Britain, wideawake Holland, wide
awake Argentina, wideawake every
body else gets the business with
wideawake Germany
| Win w....