The state herald., 1921-01-25
JOHN. BULLS. ONE. HUNDRED
BILLION INCREMENT

BILLION INCREMENT
After reading statistics compiled by
the Savings Banks Association of the
State of New York estimating that
Great Britain's wealth has increased
a hundred million dollars as result
of the war. it is difficult to have any
patience with those who urge that
the United States should cancel its
credit of less than five billions due
from the United Kingdom, declares
the Republican Publicity Association,
through its president, Hon. Jonathan
Bourne. Jr. The Savings Banks AS
sociation cites the changes brought
about during the war, largely as a
result of the war, in the affairs of
tie principle nations, and concludes
that since 1914 the wealth OF the
United States has increased S50O0O,-
100000 while, for obvious reasons.
the wealth of Great Britain has in
creased S1OO,OOO,OOO,OO0.
The increase in the wealth of the
United States has occurred, of course
wholly within our own borders. much
of it due directly and indirectly to
the huge war business which brought
us a net favorable trade balance of
some s16,0OO,OOO,OO or more. In.
creased market values of real and
personal property, especially of pro-
ductive agencies, made up the bal.
ance.
Great Britians increased wealth is
partly due to new acquisitions OF ter
r'tory, or what is practically an ac-
QUESTION. The big gain, says the
Savings Bank Association. is due
to the wealth added by the Mesopo.
tamian oil fields, African territory
taken from Germany. and the elimin.
alton OF Germany as a trade competi-
tor.
OF course, Great Britain has for
the time being only an ostensible
mandatory over the immense German
colonies in Africa, but the terms and
conditions are such that for CONNER
cial and all other practical purposes.
German East Africa and German
Southwest have become British col
onial possessions. German East AT.
rica lies Just north of colonial pos.
sessions long under the control of
Great Britain, and In the direct route
OF the Cape-to-Cairo railroad. From
the standpoint Of strategic importance
in the development of her African
trade, Great Britain could scarcely
have wished for anything more for.
tunate than for this vast region to
fall into her hands. II is region
OF great but as yet undemonstrated
agricultural possibilities and OF min.
eral and forest wealth. II has 1884,.
900 square miles in area. or terri
tory equivalent to the combined area
OF our states of Michigan. Wisconsin
Ohio, Indiana, Illinois. Iowa and Mis-.
souri,. 1t is quite within the posi-
bilities that German East Africa may
become as great wealth producer
as the region In the United States
embraced with the borders OF the
states named.
In securing a mandate over Ger
may Southwest Africa Great Britain
acquires control OF an area noarl,
as large as that farther north. and
perhaps OF as great productive re
sources, though not quite so import
ant because Of geographical location
German Islands south of the Equator
with an aggregate area OF $4,000
square miles and OF great value In
aid TO ocean commerce. also passed
under British control us result o,
the war. The destruction of the Ger
man merchant marine. the discontin
uance OF German manufacturing and
the disruption OF German lines oi
trade were all events which added
to the opportunities and commerce o,
the British Empire. II will be read
lily apparent that II hundred billior
dollars is a conservative estimate o,
the added wealth realized by thu
United Kingdom as consequence ol
the war.
No wonder the Empire is rapid,
recovering but great IL the wonder
that ayone should suggest the cancel