The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1919-05-14
"Wednesday, May IA, 1919.
GERMAN TRADE PLANS

81; The; New York Tribune has published
4 series Of articles dealing with the
..i:iaus Of Germany to control the world
3irade. These articless have been thu
ys:orks of Stanley Prost. who has made a
careful Investigation Of the German in
t,ustrial situation. and the plans which
Che Germans had carefully laid for rc-
:coaquering the foreign markets.
The program aims. first. at propaganda
seeking to ?allay the bitter antagor:snh
towards Germany felt in many foreign
countries. This propaganda is now be-
ing carried on even in enemy countries.
in some cases openly. and in many in
x.diousiy.
Second, many foreign countries. and
America in particular. is full. today Of
German agents, and has never been clear
OF them. Captain George B. Lester. Of
the Military Intelligence division. testi-
ned before the Cverman committee that
there was a silent army Of over 100000
persons registered at the German and
Austrian consallates ready to give their
services. usually without pay. to the en-
cn,ics OF America Members OF this list
pcrmeate our business life They are
agents and executives for our factories.
and each and every one Of them Is an
agent Of German industry.
Third. During the war and during the
enforced cessation Of expectation Ger
riany has accumulated very considerable
supplies Of manufacturing articles and
is ready to dump them upon foreign
markets at low prices Dumping has
!. been scientifically controlled weapon
CT German commercialisrn, and Germans
today are in better shape, perhaps. to
4Susc that weapon than ever before.
Fourth In Mr.. Frost's revelations is
the policy Of secrecy. German goods
arc coming under other trade marks and
names, and German agents are appear
ing as Of other nationalities. Plans for
this have been made already and are in
& full operation.
Fifth. German invaders often, il not
always, camouhaged will be found work
I ing together against the American bust
ness men and their nnanoeuvres con-
tfDlled from Berlin. their joint efforts
4 heing centered on a man or business
& which Is often unaware Of attack.
Sixth. Germany taught Us what a
scrap Of paper Is In commerce as we'll
3 ast her merchants are noted for their
! fSalure to keep their agreements. Ger
MANY win count her willingness to
& bSeak her faith as an asset in her new
fading war.
seventh German agents relied upon
united buying as a means Of securing
supplies at reduced prices. Before the
war .Germsn organizations bought cop.
= per at 4 price from S to 10 per cent
below that which Americans themselves
had to pay. German organizations are
strengthened for this now.
The above suggestions are not the
s work Of an alarmist or mere dreamer
They. come from a careful investigator
who has made as close a study OF Ger
: man trading conditions and plans as II
y IS possible for any outsider to do. They
are significant Of the organizations with
xhich Germany hopes to regain her
/ place In the worlds markets and Of he,
differentiation to leave no stone unturn'
sd that will facilitate her purpose. To-
say America, perhaps. is in a more de-
8 3cnseless condition from a trading
standpoint than ever before Our man
St lsaeturers have not been allowed. much
: less hays. they been taught. to cooper
q ate, and foreign organization among
them has been punished Instead Of en-
EGopTaged. Our government has looked
!. afh jealous eye upon anything tina
Z savored Of too much American product:
5 being sold abroad at lower prices thar
sold at home. On the other hand. ou
basis Of cost is higher than ever before
The German menace may not develop a.
. successfully as the schcmers behind i
wish, but It Is not danger to be light!
considered. The most serious wors
which our Congress will have 20 per
form at the session beginning on III
twenty ninth of'this month will b"
consideration Of trade conditions an
particularly Of the steps that arc n"ces
sary for the maintenance Of American
markets for the handiwork Of tn
: American workingman.
TEE INDUSTRIAL SITUATION