Evening star., 1926-10-17
ANCLO.CERMAN MEETING
SEEKS INDUSTRIAL UNITY
Europe at Last Looking Forward, Not
Backward Toward Ancient Hates,
Says Sir Philip Gibbs.

mitting most Of her rivals wares
without high tariffs. but her old free
| trade pride and prosperity have been
roughly shaken during postwar years
by deva stating unemployment and the
loss Of world markets by under
cutting. During the period Of worth
| less paper money German industrial
lists. working with cheap labor. i'm.
mense industry and organizing
genius. enormously extended their
plants. cheapened their costs of pro-
duction, and offered goods at prices
which did not pay them in real
money. They captured the British
and American markets. but made no
profit. Even now they are accepting
contracts which give only the barest
margin above production costs.
In order to. meet reparation pay
ments under the Dawes scheme. Ger
many needs to export surplus goods.
and finds herself balked by the neces-
sity of selling so cheaply that ma
tional prosperity Is not advancing in
relation TO power and industry. Her
astute business minds realize that this
cut-throat competition could he
avoided by friendly arrangements and
cooperation with her leading rivals.
so they may control prices and pool
profits.
Basis Of Conference.
That is the idea which brought FIVE
leading industrialists of Germany to
the English country house. remote
from journalists and publicity. there
TO discuss trade conditions with
British officials while they smoked
their cigars under the Autumntinted
trees and carefully avoided all refer
ence to past history
Europe is actually looking forward
at last and not backward to ancient
hates. During recent months. as at
Geneva. there has been a distinct
forward movement in European
minds leading toward that ideal
United States of Europe for self-pro-
lection and cooperation. 1t has not
gone far, but the first steps have
been made in a cautious, hesitating
way.
The truth is France. Germany and
England are anxious about their i'm
mediate future. In each Of those
countries there are industrial and
financial dangers which are very
threatening. In each of those
countries there are minds which
realize somberly that if revolution,
hostility and hatred govern their
relations. nothing but disaster and
civil strife awaits the next generation
or our own.
Bold Adventure Ahead.
Little, niggling national schemes of
economy and reform will not avail.
To save Europe from inevitable de-
cadence there must he bold adventure
and international cooperation. Eng
land feels that in her old bones. Every
industrialist in England after this
paralyZing coal strike. is getting des-
perate for some new national vision
and adventure.
Those Anglo-German conversations
have been born out of that spirit and
hope. They have ranged as far az
Russia. which awaits reconstruction
until that time when it's dictators
come into line with European ethics.
That conversation in Col. Ashley's
country house may change social his
tory in Europe by creating a new
economic system of far-reaching
effect. hut whether for good or i'll I
am not prophet enough to say.
| see many dangers in these inter
national combines. as we'll as great
advantages. They may make for
peace among nations. but strife be
tween classes.
,rt,t