Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-04-10

obstacles. notably the Rhine frontier.
the Adriatic issue and number OF
esser issues which are still short of
final agreement.
Revise Foes Tarif
Provision for the most favored ma
ton" treatment in the German customs
system for the Allied and associated
countries and n single tariff and no
tariff determinations based on the nag
of the vessels in which goods are trans
ported or the route Of importation or
expectation will be Incorporated in the
peace treaty with Germany. according
10 the present provisional agreement.
The restriction is to be enforced for
five years after tho conclusion of peace,
and il will probably include the proviso
that the tariffs in force upon imports
from the associated countries during
that period shall be based on the most
favored nations schedules of 1914.
The obligation to maintain under
single tariff the 1914 schedules will be
sppcificd only for limited period, since
there is q realization that Germany Will
be able financially to raise the maxi
mum Of reparation payments and limit
or exclude unnecessary imports only by
the imposition of higher customs rates.
And the proposal is under consideration
to give Germany. after the period which
will be required for the study and re
vision of existing tariffs. absolute free
dom to increase all her duties.
The economic problems of Alsace-
Lorraine and German Poland. the in
dustries of which have heretofore been
based on membership in the German
empire and access to the German mar
kets, will probably be given considera
ton by provision permitting them
freedom of trade with Germany during
the period of transition and readjust-
ment. until it is possible for them to
build up new markets.
To Develop Industries
The problem of the experts in for
mulating the conditions under which
Germany will be permitted TO re estab =
lish commercial relations with the rest
of the world has been most complicated
and intricate. since. in addition TO pro-
viding for equality of trade relations
and prevention of determinations
against the present opponents of Ger
many. it has been necessary to con-
slider that Germany's ability to pay
reparations is largely contingent upon
tho absence of hampering restrictions,
upon the development of home industries
and an outlet for foreign trade.
1t has been the endcavor in the con
sideration of the problem to cause as
little loss as possible to the trade re
lations created before the war by virtue
of special arrangements and to allow
Germany freedom of tariff regulation so
far as is compatible with the necessities
of reparation.
Belgium must have complete repara
ton if the serious economic situation
there is to be improved and Belgian
industry is to regain its feet. NJ. Van
dcrvelde, Belgian minister of justice ant
Socialist leader. declared yesterday il
an interview in the Temps
The number of unemployed in Bel
GUM is about 700. 900, and the number
of persons who have to be assisted b,
the government is 100000. In Brus
sells. whore the normal number of work
mon is 10000. only 10000 are en-
ploypd. The textile industry at Yer
viers generally keeps 10000 employ ed
but only 700 are working at present.
TO add to the difficulties. the cost o
living is very high. and most indus
tries arc without money and raw ma
terials with which to resume opera
tions. In addition. the stocks stoler
by the Germans have not yet been re
turned.
The commission which has in han,
the arrangements at Versailles for tn
signing Of the peace treaty is compose
of NJ. Arnavo, secretary to Paul Dutas
ia. general secretary of the Peace Con
gress; Messrs. Harrison and Patchiu, O
the American delegation; Messrs. Nor
man and Sylvester. of the British dele
CATION the Marquis of Durazzo and tn
Marquis Palermo, of the Italian dele