The Washington herald., 1921-05-01

=, has prevailed for some time past, IL Is very
difficult to put ones fingers on exactly the reason dor
this change Probably the Developments in the foreign
situation have had to do with i, than any other
German Indemnity.
The new indemnity offer by Germany, although
stlI regarded as unacceptable. has cleared the
situation very much Il is understood that the Ger
offer includes the agreement to pay the allies
sooooo.ooo.ooo gold marks, or only a6ooooooooo
marks less than demanded in the Paris terms This
4 considerable advance over the previous German
Offer and Il is felt that ultimately basis Of agree
ment will be reached.
Foreign Settlement Imperative.
II Is becoming more and more evident that the
road back to business "normaicy" leads through
Europe Those who would maintain our splendid
isolation politically find that economically we are
'inextrcabb mingled with European affairs. 1t
should be clear to the rabid irreconeilable
that our whole industrial fabric is marking time
until Europe adjusts its affairs Our exports dropped
of than $Ioooooooo last month and nearly
50 per cent Of this decline was in our trade with
Europe, -
There Is homely saying that the safest way
10 deal with mule is to keep so close to him that
he cannot kick YOU There is little doubt but that,
II the United States had been adequately repre-
sented IN European councils the trouble over the
liininutive Island of Yap would have been avoided.
What eject our powerful stablizng presence would
Be imagined. The most important problem for the
present standardization is to find some means Of
gracefully taking proper place in the delibera-
lions Of the worlds nations.
British Strike Developments.
Toward the end Of the week a settlement of
the English coal strike appeared likely than
st any time since its beginning. The British govern
ment has agreed to insure the miners against wage
reduction OF more than s. per day during the next
three or four months AS the miners have already
agreed to reduction Of Is it is considered that
1here are good prospects for settlement Of. the
dispute during the coming week
Steel Outlook Improved
The steel industry recovered somewhat from
The pessimisn which followed the failure of price
cuts to stimulate business The demand IS still low
bat inqnires- are more abundant The improved
conditions in the automobile trade now give signs
Of being more than FURRY. A good portion Of the
present demand for steel Isl coming from this in
dnstfy Oil companies have also been buying larger
quantities Of plates for tanks. and greater quant
Ties Of oil pipe. Building and construction opera
tions are making slightly larger demands but As
whole this movement continues to be Disappointing
Railroad orders cannot be expected to figure prom;
neatly until the rate and wage question has beeff
settled .5p:. /,
ssss Railrosd Loadinss Increase
Reports made public during the week show that
&c number Of loaded freight cars for the week
ending April is amounted to 7o3.so6. an increase
Of J 10000 over the preceding week The increased
iosdines are concerned chiefly with coal Of which
the production is apparently slowly increasing Load
ings Of other merchandise and general freight re-
main about stationary.
Insistent demands have been m3de during the
week for decrease in the freight rates. and more
and more evidence is being brought bat to show
that these rates are responsible for much Of the
diHicuIty in which the farmers find themselves.
Threats Of Two Strikes.
TIE threatened strike of marine unions is still
1 serious menace to shipping. Admiral Benson has
outlined plan whereby there would be minimum
decrease Of Isq6 in base pay. elimination of over,
time work and readustment Of working rules. Rep
rssentztives Of the smarne unops have consistently
refused 70 consider reduction in wages !