Evening star., 1928-12-04
BRITISH BUSINESS
DECLARED SOUND
American Interests Do Not
Fear Financial Effects
if King Dies.
BY ]. C. ROYLE.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
NEW YORK, December 4-What is
British business going to do If King
George dies?
Garry on!"
This was the answer cabled to this
country today by leaders of the bus1-
ness, financial, industrial and CONNER
cial life of the British Empire. AS a
result the far-sighted producers and ex-
porters of the United States are giving
thanks for the stability of the House OF
Windsor, of the business structure
builded by England and for the esteem
and affection in which the royal family
are held.
Britain Pays Debts.
For the British Empire is America S
best foreign customer, not only because
of the volume of trade and of the ties
of mutual advantage, but because
Britain always pays Her credit and
that of her colonies are good.
There is no reason even in the pres
ent situation, when King George Is bat
Ting for life, for disruption OF busl-
ness, but there are few countries which
could face the probability OF losing
their titular head and avoid such a
period. It has been customary to say
that the King of England is f1gurehead
with little real power. This is decided
mistake, as those who have come into
contact with British commerce can tes-
tify. He is the tie which binds the
units of the empire, with their varied
and often contradictory interests, into
a homogeneous whole.
King George, like King Edward VII,
has always had the ability to peculiar
degree of holding the esteem and real
affection of all his subjects, from Cape
town to the Arctic circle. He has been
a wise counsellor in commerce and
trade and has fostered the business OF
his realm in way which indicate a
real business ability. This has been
further shown in the increase in his
private fortune, all based on British
trade, which has made him rich man
outside his position, and despite the
tremendous calls his throne has made
on his income.
Faith In Prince.
American businesses insure men like
King George for millions Of dollars in
favor of their corporations, to check
any development such as might reason
ably be expected to follow his death.
He has not needed that insurance in
behalf of British trade, for his son and
successor is fully able to take his place.
English businessmen say Edward
Windsor, Prince of Wales, heir apparent
to the throne, is the best businessman
in England. He also has the family
trait of winning the love Of his sub
jects, of holding them together in peace
as we'll as in war. There has been
much talk of the possibility that he
might abdicate his rights to the throne
in favor Of his less popular brother, the
Duke of York. British business does
not credit these rumors for moment.
A message to the writer today from a
London financier declared in effect
that the Prince respected his job
whether he liked it or not and that he
could be counted on to do his utmost
for the trade of the empire and for the
prosperity of It's citizens with the same
ardor that he begged for a chance to
lead English troops over the top during
the war.
The bearing of the situation on
American trade can be better estimated
when it is realized that England
Canada, and Australia are the best
foreign markets for American automo-
biles, agricultural implements, grain,
cotton, copper, certain packing house
products, fruits, canned goods and a
score Of other raw and manufactured
commodities. The textile mills Of cer-
tain parts of the United States COM
plain about the competition of the Eng
lish cotton mills, but if these mills did
not run much Of the American cotton
crop could not be sold. On the empire
America depends for rubber, tin and
a certain amount of wool.
England has hundreds Of millions of
dollars invested in American securities.
America has at least $500,000,000 in
vested in Canada and Is rapidly ad
venturing its dollars in other British
colonies.