South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-03-16

increasing employment until read
justment TO a peace basis has been
completely effected No widespread /
movement 10 reduce wages was dis /
closed and the prevalence of high (
prices was declared 10 be responsible /
for a lack Of business enterprise.
To Protect Mexican Securities.
An international bankers COM /
rlittee composed of 10 Americans, /
five Frenchmen, and FIVE BritOns mas !
been formed for the purpose o. |
protecting the holders of securities |
OF the Mexican Republic, and Of the
various railway systems Of Mexico. !
and generally, of such other enter
prises as have their field Of action
in Mexico" 1t was announced that
the committee will be prepared TO
take such steps as may seem wise in
order TO afford counsel and aid 10
investors who hold interests in Mex
leo. For the present the committee
is gathering all the information il
can regarding present conditions and
/ future prospects IN that country.
/ Acting Sec'y of Finance Nieto of
/ Mexico has been in conference with
\ the committee regarding a plan of
/ rehabilitating Mexican finance.
American Interests Abroad.
Upon representations from the
/ Council on Foreign Relations that
/ Great Britain, japan, France. and
all well-organized nations consider
that commerce is the greatest of all
political interests, and that that gov
eminent deserves most the popular
approval which does the most to in
crease our trade and to settle it on
firm foundation" Secy Redneld
, replied that his own attitude in the
matter had been Well described b.
Vice-Pres't Albert Breton, of the
Guaranty Trust Company of New
York. when he declared that the
/ Governments moral support should
be granted freely to our citizens le-
gitimateley engaged i'm developing
the resources and industries of other
countries by means of American cap
ital and labor" This reply has been
welcomed by American business men
with a hope that it Will be adopted
as a continuing policy by the al
ministration.
Tarin For Defense.
The United States tariff commits
sion has submitted to Pres't Wilson.
as a result of its investigation Of
reciprocity and commercial treaties.
a report in which it recommends "a
policy for the United states which
should have for its object, on the
one hand. the prevention of discrim-
ination, and the securing of equality
of treatment for American COM
merce and for American citizens.
and, on the other hand, the frank
offer of the same equality of treat
ment to all countries to reciprocate
in the same spirit and to the same
effect" 1t is suggested that with
/, out disturbance of the general tar
if policy of the country and with
out committing the country definite
ly with respect to the permanent
commercial arrangements which ma :
result from the peace conference. =
method of additional duties can be
effected to secure fair reciprocal
treatment from foreign countries.
While congress would have TO pro-
vide for such additional duties the
commission believes the actual i'm
position of them should be left to
the discretion of the president
The meeting of the steel men to
/, discuss Sec'y Redfields prices re
vealed an optimism regarding the
progress of readjUstment that is re-
Elected in many quarters. II is true
that buyers are still waiting for Il
further drop in prices and that basic
industries are not yet expanding
their activities, but the general tone
of business is good An undoubted
factor in the hOpefulness of the sit
uatiOn is the disposition of the gov
] eminent to cooperate with business
I This tendency may be expected TO
grow with the settlement of the
terms upon which a definite peace
d Will be proclaimed Uncertainty
must prevail until the country il
sore OF what are to be the principles
upon which its future relations with
other countries. a very vital factor
in domestic prosperity, are TO be
based.
The Money Market.
The rapidity with which the $50
600, 600 Belgian credit was arranged
indicates the fundamental strength
OF the money market throughout the
country Good securities are alb
sorbed quickly IN all sections. In
the New York market cal money
rates have receded after going be
yond the percent which prevailed
during the war. and the range i,
: from 4 - TO 6 percent. Loans fol
short dates are 10 be had in limited
amounts at from IL To percent
The question Is frequently asked as
Z TO the likelihood OF the treasury de
partnent seeking at this time tht
? fun amount authorized as a Victory
loan 10y congress. Whether the 81.
/, 0G0.O0e,00 in short term notes i:
- issued all AT once or is divided into
two loans. 1T is certain that all tn,
: money asked FOR Will be forthcom.
IS ing.