Evening star., 1921-10-02
BY G. GOULD LINCOLN.

country is necessarily so
closely bound up with that
of Europe today that first
hand information regarding conditions
abroad, brought back to America by
Senator Joseph T. Robinson of Ar
kansas, who attended the recent
meeting of the Interparliamentary
Union. is doubly interesting. During
his stay in Europe Senator Robinson
visited Sweden, Denmark, Germany,
Belgium. France, Switzerland and
Italy. His opportunities for studying
conditions as they exist in Europe
were exceptional. His judgment is
that the economic situation in Eu-
rope is complicated, and that it pre-
sents many problems which seem to
constitute a barrier to the prompt
rehabilitation of industry and COM
merce.
Conditions in Russia, the vast war
debts Of the various nations, the low
rate Of foreign exchange. the dew
astation caused by the war. all are
involved in the economic problems of
the European nations. according to
Senator Robinson. Added to which,
he said, is the very hurtful fact that
agitations are in progress calcu-
lated to intensity antagonisms which
already exist.
Discussing the conditions in de-
tail in the countries which he visit
ed, Senator Robinson said:
Business Stagnation In Sweden.
Sweden, for instance, has always
enjoyed liberal and profitable trade
with Russia. For a long time that
trade has almost been completely
suspended and difficulty and delay
is experienced in reviving it. In con-
sequence the people Of Sweden are
going through a period of business
stagnation which is sweeping away
many liberal fortunes. In addition to
this, the cost of living in Sweden is
probably as high as in any other country
in the world. The situation. there
fore, is affected with a double as
pect, namely, very high prices while
at the same time all business is at
standstin."
Senator Robinson explained that a
great difficulty experienced in connec-
ton with trade with Russia is the
lack Of adequate transportation facili-
ties in that country, in additiaon to
the fact that large numbers OF the
Russian population have not the funds
to make the purchases. The soviet
government, he said. has been able to
find the money to make purchases,
however.
I'm Denmark" continued Senator
Robinson. "the people appear prosper
Gus and cheerful; although the cost
Of living is comparatively high"
Everybody at Work in Germany.
Discussing the economic conditions
in Germany as he found them, Sena-
tor Robinson said:
Great difficulty is being experience
ed in securing certain necessary raw
materials for the operation of fac
tories. Every foot of tillable lands
is being intensively cultivated. how
ever, and everybody in Germany is at
work. There are no union hours. The
workmen, however, are well paid
compared with pre-war wages. and on
account of the conditions respecting
exchange living costs are very low.
"The German people have set them
selves to the mighty task of meeting,
II possible, the costs Of reparation
imposed by the treaty of peace. There
is a feeling quite general that this
task is impossible of accomplishment:
that unless some compromise is found
all business enterprises will collapse.
Those who belong to the middle
classes in Germany and who before
the war were, quite prosperous are
experiencing very great hardships and
in many instances are suffering from
hunger. Thousands of these people
are practicing economy to degree
that would amaze our people could
they but know the details. They are
actually denying themselves food and
clothing necessary for subsistence,
and as a result manifest evidences Of
emaciation.
THE German mark, as every one
knows, is very low in exchar ge value.
I think it's actual purchasing value is
regarded in Germany as about
cents, while the mark can be bought
for / cent Americans can, therefore.
live in Germany for about one-fourth
of the amount required in the United
States. Many are taking advantage
of this condition and are actually
making protracted stays in Germany
for that reason. The Germans, how
ever, do not regard this as an un-
mixed benefit to them. for the reason
that the presence in Germany Of many
Americans who are able to pay lib
orally for what they need imposes ad-
ditional hardships on the resident
Germans"
Friendly to U. 8. in Germany.
Distressing for a moment from the
economic conditions, Senator Harrison
spoke of the political situation. which,
after all, Is very closely allied with
the economic problems. He said that
the German government is unpopular
with the people as a whole, although
he had found very little desire for the
restoration of the monarchy.
TT is a period Of revolution in Ger
many" said Senator Robinson. ''dif-
ferent from what has occurred in his
1ery anywhere else, and which I be-
lieve in the end will prove far-reaching
and, hope, beneficial.
.sJt in astonishing to find the friend