The sun., 1919-02-13
George A. CASTOR Finds Huge
Markets Awaiting L. S.
Manufactures.
HAS NO FEAR OF GERMANY
Believes Britain Will Remain
Mistress of Seas and World
Banker as Well.

from agents, the commercial and indus
trial condition of Europe and the pros
pect OF our own foreign trade. George
a. CASTOR, president Of CASTOR. Williams
e. Wigmore, international merchants, OF
80 Broadway. has returned to New York
amazed not at the optimism Of the coun-
tries that have suffered most but, as he
says. "at finding America feeling SO
blue
Mr.. CASTOR said yesterday that the
rebuilding of Europe was getting under
way faster than had been deemed pos
sible ; that a greater commerce than any
of them has known before is awaiting
all nations, that manufacturers. ex-
porters and importers will make more
money than they ever did; that in the
revival of industry and finding quick
markets America has several years ad-
vantage over Great Britain. France and
Italy. and instead OF sitting back and
blooming the business men Of the United
States ought to be UP and doing.
Thinks Federal Marine Cnwlse.
He came back too with the conviction
that Great Britain will continue to be
mistress of the seas and of banking
also" and that 1t would be unwise for
the United States Government 10 try to
operate our merchant marine. but that
for two years at least use can be found
for all the ships that can be built as
'our trade both coming and going will
make a new record"
Mr.. CASTOR sailed from New York on
November 10 and got back last Friday.
in his office yesterday he spoke first OF
the railways of France. saying that both
the roads and the rolling stock were 50
badly run down that 1t will be some
time before they can be used for COM
nercial business He saw part of the
cars delivered to France by Germany.
Some of them were in fair condition
some would have TO go 10 the shops
He found that the French Ministry OF
Reconstruction had not worked out a
definite, comprehensive plan OF rebuild
ing ruined communities. but had let sew
eral contracts for filing trenches and
removing debris, in the financing Of two
of which contracts American capital
was assisting
LAS to reco1Ftruction." he said, at
must be understood that there are two
factions in France. One faction wants
TO wait and let the French themselves
create the machinery necessary for the
restoration Of the Industries OF northern
France: the other wants to have the
machinery brought in quickly from
America and England.
Prohibition to Change Trade.
"Al Of France realizes that the ma
ton must turn to manufactures and ex-
ports OF manufactured goods to replace
the loss con seQuent on the passage OF
prohibition in the United States. Tho
production OF grapes and wine has been
the largest industry of France. and we
have been the largest importers. Sub
stitution OF factory products Cor those
Of the vineyard already Is begun in the
erection of factories in the region OF
Paris and Bordeaux I have heard that
the French manufacturing facilities are
now ten times as large as they were be-
fore the war; that Is exaggerated. but
they certainly have Increased greatly.
France Is turning from the manufacture
of luxuries to more substantial lines.
"One of the new staples is cheap auto
mobiles, which several factories. includ-
ing the Renault, will produce. There also
is plan to get the American designs
of sewing machines and typewriters and
make them in France. The automobile
manufacturers are trying to have the
Government declare an embargo for a,
least five years on the importation OF
pleasure cars and trucks. but / doubt il
this will be done. ! think the Peace
Conference will have a say about IT,
THE French officials told me they
were anxious to have American capital
come in. and Americans who could teach
the French quick ways of doing things
but the actual work must be done by the
French themselves"
Banks Have Ample Money.
Mr.. Castor was certain that the
French banks had plenty of money t,
lend to manufacturer and that the grea,
plan of rebuilding and extending the
steel mills of the north would be amply
financed
Questioned about shipping he sait
there was not chance In the world o.
Great Britain accepting the suggestion
attributed to Mr.. Hurley (although Mr.
CASTOR confessed uncertainty as to It!
real authorship for equalization OF sea
mems wages. so that America and otheI
nations could compete on the same foot
ing in this respect He found English
men indifferent" to this notion anc
10 the whole discussion of maritime su
premacy,
81 can't see how our merchant marin,
81 going to compete with Britain's," h,
said. Britain is mistress OF the sea
and. ] might add, OF banking too, an,
she will not surrender control OF either
The League of Nations will he Grea
britain, so far as shipping is concerned
Among all the nations there is goin.
IN be larger interchange Of CONN crcr
han ever before. and all the shlps W,
can build will be needed Yes. | hay
seen II stated that the problem is no
low to get ships. but how to get cargoc
to I'LL them but for the next wear o
two. at least, there will be no trouble
about cargoes. The more ships we built
the better for the country
But Mr.. CASTOR did not think Coy
eminent ownership and operation OF gu
merchant marine was feasible.
Taxpayer Would stand Lo,s.
From merely the standpoint Of a,
exporter he said, Il should say
would be fine for us il the C;overnmer
controlling both the railroads and shin
could make n low through rate n
freight from the interior of the countr
20 foreign port. but as a ship owne
know that the taxpayers would hav
10 stand the loss"
lie believed that eventually the Gov
eminent would have to sell It's shin
70 private owners, and as to what woul
happen TO them thereafter he did mo
care TO predict But he said "W'
simply cannot compete with Britain n
the sea"
From Belgians and his conn,r,
agents Mr.. Castor learned while ,hros
that Belgium Is very active In nlannIn
for restoration, and, contrary TO no,
Glar superstition on this side ~ ~
water, has plenty OF money 10 a..