Evening star., 1922-05-18

annual meetings, offers to the nations
of the world opportunities for real
economic conference: gatherings at
which the business men of the world
can discuss. without hindrance of
politics. the solution of just these
great problems.
Pointing out that while the economic
situation of the world is not good, j.
G. A. Everwyn. minister Of the Neither
lands to the United States, said that
his country was in a better position
than many other countries Of Europe.
However. he added that they are suf-
fering from the same causes as the
other countries. Industry in the
Netherlands is largely an exporting
one. he pointed out. but 1t has been
severely hit by the lack of buying
capacity in many countries which
were formerly it's customers and by
competition from countries in which
the exchange is going down.
This difficult situation for the ex-
porting trade is still augmented by
the obstacles which are put in their
way by measures which are taken by
Foreign countries, namely: Formali-
ties on importations. tariff measures
and embargoes and other restric-
tions"
Wages Up in Netherlands.
Wages in his country have gone up
materially, he said. which in turn has
caused tremendous increase in gov
ernmental expenses. Though not a
militaristic country, he pointed out. the
government budget arose from 23S,0O0.-
600 guilders in 1921. This put very
heavy taxes on the people.
speaking from the standpoint of a
Netherlander in regard to the recon-
struction of Europe, he said that the
i0 70
down May it be. he said. that the
cutting down Of government ex-
penseS all over the world would help
great deal toward reconstruction.
with regard to foreign competi-
tion, he told the convention, there
are two currents in our country, one
wishes the government to take meas
ures to restrict Importation and the
other one is opposed to that, being
CONVINCED that. should even restric-
ton of Importation foster the sale of
nome produce on the home market.
export could not be helped by that
and the lack of export and the low
prices which only could be obtained
for exported products should make
impossible amelioration of the gen.
eral conditions of the country"
Return to Normal Indicated.
Indications of return to normal con-
ditions were pointed out by Francis H.
Sisson. vice president of the Guaranty
trust Company of New York After de-
failing them to the delegates, he said
that it may be we'll to reiterate for the
sake of emphasis that this country is
ready to proceed gradually toward gen.
eral prosperity However. he added tnat
this country cannot enjoy prosperity in
its full measure until the situation
abroad is vastly more favorable on the
whole than it is today.
Pointing out that the economic stu
alton in Europe is improving he said
that considering the colossal disruption
OF economic conditions in Europe as a
result of the war, the progress made
there during the last three years is
nothing snort of amazing. However. he
said that the economic rehabilitation of
Europe can be accelerated
Discussing numerous plans set out to
bring this about. he said that they have
been largely checked in their develop
ment by the political and credit obsta.
cleS which lie in the path of any action
on the scale required by the necessities
OF the situation. Until the world sees
that these influences are of a kind to
inspire confidence. the necessary aid in
the form of extensive long-term, credits
will be limited
The structure of finance today" said
Mr. Sisson, lis essentially international
and 1t is futile to consider that an aiti-
tude of isolation from world economic
problems is now possible for this coun-
try. Wise acceptance of the new role of
leadership in this field is indicated as
the poliesk which must be followed in the
years Immediately before u.s.