Evening star., 1920-02-01
.SEESBR|TA|N AHEAD
IN WORLDS TRADE
London industrial Leader
Talks of Prospective Era
of Prosperity. Z
BY GORDON STILES.
(CabieEram tn Tho Star and fiica.
Daily News. Copyright. I3@JD

(CnbicGram tn Tho Star and CiicaSo
Daily News. Copyright, io@JD
LONDON. January 2S.-The era o.
prosperity upon which Britain appears
to be entering is expected to bo the
greatest in her history. to assume
proportions hitherto undreamed of
and to provide the means with which
very few years-provided. of course.
that both capital and labor keep
their heads and steer a sane course.
Why this country is going to skim
the cream off the world business was
explained to me today by Guy H
Locock, c. NJ. G., one of the directors
of the Federation of British Indus
tries.
This federation, which counts among
it's members the largest British con-
Germs. has specialized along lines more
or less new to Engiish manufacturers
In eleven of the worlC'S chief rn5l kets
it has special Representatives. while its
correspondents are everywhere. Nhen
an order for goods is in sight in 4 GER
tain territory the federation is notified
by cable and the manufactures are
notified in turn-put into direct touch
with the buyer.
Says Work Is Satisfactory.
The work Mr. Locock tells me, is
extremely satisfactory. The line fol-
lowed in the matter of personal con-
tact between the buyers and sellers is
one which counts most when it comes
to American competition. The British
manufacturer was never very StronG
on entertainment or making friends OF
his customers. Formerly ne depended
on the quality of goods and record of
relations for his business while the
personal element figured largely III
american transactions.
The federation has been working hard
in this direction. however. and has
adopted the policy of bringing strong
delegations of important foreign buyers
to England and personally conducting
them all over the country, showing them
plants and processes and throwing them
into intimate touch with those with
whom they may deal These delegations
come from every land. one of the most
recent coming from South America The
idea that America is going to walk away
with the world trade is fast disappear
ing. and the perfect torrent of orders
pouring into Britain daily increases the
feeling of confidence.
American Situation Analysed.
1t is pointed out to me that while
American business men are among the
keenest in the world their commercial
sense lacks what is termed the geo
graphical element. Their failure to
specialize in exports has produced a
handicap which cannot be overcome in
titHe 10 take advantage Oh the situation
as it exists today. Further. their hands
are completely tied SO far as central
Europe is concerned
Many German plants were purchased
ty Englishmen While the mark was at
a ridiculous figure, and by utilizing Ger
man labor and paying in marks they
will soon be in Il position TO compete
with any nation in TIE world. CONNER
cial representatives are considered more
important than diplomats at the present
time. and these are selected with the
greatest care. The Senate holdup of
the peace treaty prevents America from
following similar course, and the COM
mercial advantage accruing to England
because of this is going to do much to
offset the feeling of Indignation which
the Washington lack of action caused at
first. England is not going to let this
opportunity slip away