New-York tribune., 1919-10-26
Commerce Official Says the
Plans Prevents any Posi-.
hiIity of ''Dumping'' Of
German Trade Products
i'm Nation Small
Ten'ons Are Ready TO Take
so Per Cent of Exchange
i'll Manufactured CoOsd
Ncc York Tribune
Foreign Press BurcGv

Charles Knott, president of the Brit
ish Chamber of Commerce in Germany.
hes had a series Of interviews with the
Finance Minister, Herr Erzbcrger, and
z..ifi, Herr Schmidt. Minister of Econo-
mics and Food Controller. IN the pres
ence OF other Ministers of the German
government. with the object OF pro.
ceeding further with the suggestion OF
the scheme for a clearing house. to be-
established in Berlin. so that absolute
and effective control of ali exports from
Germany to the British Empire and OF
imnorts from Britain TO German may
be secured. writes the Reuters Cologne
correspondent to THE London Tele-
graph" ! interviewed Mr.. Knott on his
return. and he states that the German
government have consented IN principle
to the Department Of the Ministry OF
Economics and Food being under
British official. who VIII have entire
control of the license department.
ANY goods leaving Germany or coma
ING into Germany from Britain with
out a license from this department Will
be contiscated. This, he maintained,
was a very remarkable concession, ana
must of necessity dispel any fears az
regards the dumping of German goods
on the British market. Mr.. Knott is
laying the proposals and details or tho
scheme before the Board of Trade IN
London, and he is extremely conhdens
that the Board OF Trade will take the
scheme up. which, would be an effective
protection for British markets
in a position at present to dAmp, even
were she desirous of DONG So lhere
are. in point of fact very small stocks
at present in Germany. The whole OK
the energies of the country have been
concentrated on war work for tive years.
and practically nothing of industrial
value has been produced. There are
small stocks Of glassware, lenses and
optical goods. and certain machinery.
and there are also large supplies OF
alkali and other raw materials pro-
duced in Germany. 1t is to be hoped
that, by the export of raw materlaiss
principally. Germany will be able to
begin trading with foreign countries
and prevent the further fall OF tho
mark.
Exchange Question
asked Mr. Knott his opinion on the
recent state of the German money mar
ket. and he attributed the present po-
sition to the fact that the Polish bank
ers and government have recently un-
loaded several millions worth of marks
upon the markets in Rotterdam and
other neutral exchanges. The large
supplies of paper money suddenly
thrown upon those markets had, natu-
rally, a disastrous eject upon the mark,
of which the supply greatly exceeded
the demand for a few days. This, how
ever. can only be a momentary lapse
Germany. he said had made up her
mind to work hard and do her best to
pay her debts. Work is the only thing
that can save Central Europe, and even
tually the rest of the world from Boil
shevism. which is bound to be RAM
pant, unless Germany can get immedi-
atelv raw materials and food. The
present rate of the mark, he SAID, is
disaster, for Germany cannot afford 10
buy raw materials at the present rate.
even were she desirous Of doing so, rs
the cost Of her productions would be
thereby increased sjxfold, and She
could lind no market for her manufac-
tured goods. It is consequently IN the
interest Of the whole world 10 bring
about. as quickly az possible, an az
rangemcnt whereby the rate of the
mark must be raised and Germany may
obtain the raw materials essential -
her existence.
In his interview with the various
Ministers. Mr Knott said. it has been
clearly understood that Germany Is
prepared to take fair proportion, say,
30 per cent, of British manufactured
goods together with raw material, and
this should be an interesting point for
the consideration Of those British
factories which are not working al fun
speed and which can produce goods
necessary for the German market =
is foolish to maintain that should
never again trade with Germany. Eng
land produces certain goods to perfec-
ton. Germany producers others, which
England has every advantage to take
from her in exchange for goods OF
E.ngand's own production. Germany
has always been England's best GUS
toner, and she is bound to become SO
again, in spite of all that may be urged
to the contrary.
Central Clearing House
The German military spirit. he says,
IS completely crushed. and the German
people are not in need of war from any
point Of view-of that he is convinced.
The military clique have not the slight
est hope of ever again taking up tbs
position Trey formerly held The Ger
man government is absolutely anti
militarlst; Noske is not Minister of
War, but Minister of Defence, having
under hi- control the army and navy
Of Germany
Coming back. then. TO the central
clearing mouse proposal. he said that
the idea IS for offers 20 be made to
some central British organization by
German manufacturers through the
Berlin Clearing House. and only such
oi-crS as ale accepted. followed by pur-
chases by British merchants. will be
a owed 10 lcavc the country. There
9oro, the supply Will only meet the
eomand. and the idea Of the British
control of the clearing house will be to
see that the exports do not exceed the
imports.
There is no doubt that another rca-
son why .he mark has fallen very great
ly Nh. Knott said, IS owing TO the
continuous purchases of foreign cur
rency by German merchants in order
TO pay Cor goods brought into Ger
many. " henever Germany is able to
export more, she Will also be able 70
import more. however, and if the fall
81 The mark were to be stopped Ger
man exports would require to be
brought up TO the level of her imports.
British merchants are to be asked to
send their raw materials TO be mann
factured in Germany. which will then
be sent back to the manufacturer in
Eng For this German manufac-
turers will accept payment. not in
money. but in raw material. Any num-
her of big factories throughout Ger
many will be glad 10 start their wo.k-
peoPls on these terms, just to xtep
them occupied.
.