The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-10-13
BEDFORD SANGUINE
OVER TRADE FARLEY
Standard Oil Chairman Sure
Brussels Conference VIII
Be Beneficial.
OBSTACLES WILL BE NET
Finds Americas Attitude and
Problems Are Misunder-
stood in Europe.
OBSTACLES WILL BE NET

Speo.a! cable Despatch to raE HHeALp.
Copyright, 1890, sy TIE NEW York HERALD
PARIS, Oct I2.---Alfred c. Bedford,
chairman of the board of director OF the
Standard Oil Company OF New Jersey,
after a meeting Of the directors of the
International Chamber OF Commerce.
on which he represents the United
States. declared to the correspondent OF
THE HERALD that he was optimistic of
the ultimate results to be obtained BY
the work of the chamber.
at believe the opinions expressed NJ
the Brussels conference, although frank
to the point of b'urtnass, Will hate
beneficial effect upon the conclusions TO
be reached" he said. There are. how
ever commercial as well as financial
problems to be met, and they are or
equal magnitude. Ii Is for the purpose
of meeting them together, as we met the
problems of the war, that We founded
the International Chamber Of Commerce.
1T Is to attempt to promote mutual
understanding of the industrial position
OF each member country, and 10 over
come trade obstacles and so promote the
exchange of commodities. We are en-
deavoring to accomplish this by the en-
ilstment OF the energies and resources
OF the respective countries
In regard to the attitude OF the United
States in the European situation. Mr.
Bedford said:
IT scarcely blame people here for
having the impression that 10 generally
held that the United States Is standing
aloof and Ia reluctant to assume her
share Of the responsibilities for condl-
lions arising from the war. This I'M
~tufo uola al n n
apprehension of the situation in America.
While the United States has experienced
an unparalleled era OF commercial pros
perlty with large trading profits, her
financial undertakings have been pro-
portionately heavy. and the drain upon
her investment resources has been OF a
| magnitude dwnrfing anything In her
! financial history.
ST the principles OF the Brussels con-
/ ference We're to be carried into practical
| effect. no doubt the sentiment OF the
American people would be overwhelm-
ingiy in favor of extending all assistance
| TO Europe. The obstacles against the
resumption OF commercial intercourse
are largely artificial and 1t is these
obstacles that the International Chamber
of Commerce is endeavoring to remove.
With this accomplished. a general move
, nent IN the trade situation will be at
first marked by a tendency to return to
more normal equality of standards In
foreign exchange"
Before returning to the United States
Mr. Bedford will visit Belgium. ITALY
and Great Britain.
AT the meeting Mr.. Bedford reed let
ter from ]. W. Alexander, United States
Secretary of Commerce, stating that the
possibilities OF adjusting the misunder-
standings arising out OF questions OF in
ternauonal commerce by means OF an
international chamber were 80 great and
the need for some such organization was
so apparent that the department desired
TO offer every assistance.
The directors expressed the belief that
l'the most pressing problem was 10 over
come obstacles to the freest possible ex-
, change OF commodities between America
and Europe and between the European
countries.