New-York tribune., 1920-09-18
Gillette R Razor Official,
After Ten Weeks Trip,
Says Conditions Abroad
Are Again Nearing Normal
England's Mills Active
Nation Taking Advantage
of Worlds Demand and
Striving to Meet 1t

here last night on the Cunard liner
Aquitania from Southampton.
During his travels, which took him
to Great Britain. France, Belgium.
Denmark, Germany and Scandinavia.
Mr.. Fahey gave much time to the study
OF economic and political conditions.
Regarding European conditions he
said:
England shows great signs of busi-
ness activities. Her mills are work
ing overtime, some three shifts, and
they, on the whole. are taking advsn-
tage of the worlds demand and are
striving to meet it. Finances seem
better, although naturally it will take
time for the pound sterling to again
become normal.
In Norway, Sweden and Denmark
condltlons are somewhat mixed Nor
ways fish industry has suffered from
loss of ships, and the little country is
working hard to Get back the lost ton
mage, Crops seem abundant in Swe-
aen, but labor conditions and a Social
!stlc iorm OF government are disturb
ing. - en-, too, Sweden's principal GUS
toner in the past, Germany, is not
sctive, and this reflects itself in Swe
deus industrial life.
Found Activity in Denmark
"1n Denmark l found intense activity.
In addition to good crops and fine cat
ele INDUSTRY Denmark, through the new
tree port of Copenhagen, is fast becom-
ing an important port for transship-
ment, such as Hamburg was before the
war. The Danish merchant is active
and clever and is working hard with
this wonderful opportunity before him.
I'm Germany saw good crops and
great activity in the fields. Germany's
rolling stock, however, is practically
nil and her mills and factories are
mostly idle for want of raw materials.
Only in the great Ruhr iron valley at
dorf, ETC., did / see activity; there
the great krupp works are busy max
| ing new locomotives and cars for the
German government.
The German spirit is low at pres
ent; they are anxious to get matters of
the war settled with the Allies. After
that, Germany is very hopeful of
large loan. from America, of course,
with which to buy raw materials in
america e With this arranged, and
frankly l. believe it would be good
business, you will find Germany's So
100000 people at work again sixteen
nours day to regain their commercial
position in the world.
Has Faith in Germany's Recovery
"Our company has faith in Germany's
recovery, and while in Germany l
started our new German Gillette com
pany, with 100000 marks capital. to
be ready if our government ever stops
playing and declares the war with Ger
many at an end
Holland is prosperous. Her people
are serious minded, sturdy citizens. and
that little country, so | am told, now
ranks third in the worlds shipping.
| Their currency has not been inflated
and the Dutch guilder is practically
the most stable money in Europe to-
day.
Belgium is coming back rapidly.
Her crops seem fine and her tourist
trade good, and her merchants predict
, that in six months Belgium's exports
will equal her imports. The Belgium
franc is very strong, and with a ten
dency to move back toward normal.
France. we all know, IS working
hard, and will recover herself in tirle.
Crops are abundant, and the French
peasantry, the soul Of France, are hard
at work. In addition to Frances SUI
serious curtailment of her wine export
| business.
Switzerland Is Prosperous
"Spain and Switzerland also are
prosperous; they did not suffer the ex-
cessiye burdens of the war, and their
population is intact. In both thes,
countries the currency is only a shade
! below normal. Switzerland at this
season, however. is suffering from
loss of the tourist travellers. These
| tourists are busy on the battlefronts.
saw them hunting souvenirs, and
many hotels in Switzerland have not
opened for the season.
Italy is having much trouble from
labor agitators and disturbers of the
general type that we have known in
America. The Italian government is
just now taking strong measures
against these uprisings and bomb
throwing, ETC., has only recently been
stopped. The Italian lira is very weak.
due largely to the disturbances there.
"On the whole, Europe is coming
back, slowly but surely, and with pa
tience and perseverance it will again
be normal, although / don't expect that
to be at once.
Fail TO Follow Up Business
"You ask me about American COM
little evidence Of it, American bust
ne "a houses are rushing around madly,
installing branches here and there and
then failing to fellow up and see what
is going on.
"Amerca is missing some fine oppor-
tunities in Europe to-day, and to me it
is strange how America fails to under
stand the value of this enormous ex-
port trade which is ours for the seek
ing.
"And how about Gillette? Well, we
are pretty we'll established with our
branch Offices, and l am glad to say
that, in my judgment, the Gillette
razor and the Gillette blade are the
best known articles of merchandise in
Europe to-day. This is saying lot,
but I believe it is true, and the public
knows the Gillette as an article of
quality and standing and they pur- .
chase accordingly.
Exchange rates are much mixed be-
tween the different countries Of Europe
and clever traders in goods and moneys
are Aying about buying with the cheap
moneys and selling in the dear
moneys"