New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-10-05
investigators Report World
Production d, Less Than
Half Normal: Arnaments
Delay Business Recovery

WASHINGToN. Oct L. Conviction
that the United States must participate
IN the settlement of the worlds eco
monte and financial problems is ex-
pressed in report of special com
mlttec of the Chamber OF Commerce
of the United States which has Just
returned from ar Investigating tour
OF Europe. The committee attended
the meeting Of the International Cham
Der Of Commerce in London in June
aud subsequently visited Germany,
Czecho~Slova ia Austria and France
The committee in its report states
basis of less than half the pre-war
standard Of production, Though few
industries are enjoying a full or nearly
1ull activity IN some countries.
Reporting to the chambers board Of
directors, the committee says
In every country visited the opinion
was expressed that neither western nor
central Europe can be restored to
condition which promises hope am
progress for the future without our
assistance. Every country desires our
friendship and assistance and it is APP
parent we can participate IN tie resto-
ration op commercial and industr al
productivity on any reasonabi and
III
ton OF the Versailles t'e2 % meet
the policies of Q Unite States. or
independently of it
On the chamber committee are Jo-
seph II. Defrees, Of Chicago, president
OF the chamber; John H. Fahey. Of
Boston, former president Of the cham
Der and director of the International
Chamber Of Commences: Silas II.
Strawn, Of Chicago, chairman of the
board, Montgomery Ward & Co; Rob
ert p Lamont, OF Chicago, president
american Steel Foundries Company;
John }. O'Connor, of Washington,
manager finance department Chamber
OF Commerce Of the United States, and
James H. Douglas jr, secretary
A chief obstacle at present 80 q re
turn to normal business conditions
throughout the world, the COMMITTEES
asserts, is found in the armed conflicts
IN progress and in the continued threat
OF renewed clashes. Business will not
resume its forward movement it is de-
clared, until the menace of recurring
warfare Is removed.
Conclusions of the committee. based
on an intensive study, stand out as fol
lows:
There is a heavy financial burden
involved in continuing the armies Of
occupation, but the removal Of this
load depends on some effective plan
for the maintenance Of peace, on which
the nations shall unite
Tbs United States and the Allies
should present solid front in demand
ing that Germany make good in the
matter of separations.
The United States should participate
IN the work of the reparations commas
sion and in the work of the other COM
missions now existing or to be createc
which may deal with economic and
financial questions which affect the
United States
There should be formed an interna-
tlonal commission of business men to
aid the reparotions commission in
working out difficult financial problems
concerning PREPARATIONS.
The United States should not with
draw at this time her amy on the
Rhine. The committee found further
that:
The world is operating on basis
Of less than e-half of the pre-war
standard.
The consumption of 3Oo.O0o,o0 per
sons is reduced to so per cent Of normal.
The stronger nations cannot advance
credit to relieve the situation unless
there is assurance of stable conditions.
Peace still is not established, three
years after the armistice
The present German government is
trying to meet the required reparations
payments.
If the opposition gets control in Ger
many and attempts to evade or Yepu-
date the rcparation settlements a
crisis will be precipitated which will
be still further menace to peace.
France and other countries bordering
on Germany need protection against
future attacks.
Financial aid cannot be extended to
Germany to enable her to purchase raw
matrials with which TO manufacture
goods for the purpose of paying her
obligations unless there remains a
strong central government.