Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-05-18

to the World War. For the rest we
must seek new outlets, not few of
which will be found in the restored Eu-
rope itself
Further difficulties will present them
selves in the form of political obstacles.
Despite the fact that economists with
an international viewpoint have tried
to remove some of the trade barriers
that have hampered the flow of goods
between countries, the world is being
swept by tide Of protectionism, of
which the United States is designed to
be the principal victim. We must not
be too intolerant in our attitude toward
such measures, irritating and trouble
some though they may be. In some
respects the present position Of Europe
Is similar to our own position in the
early days of our industrial development
and the same means are being used
to meet the situation. Tariff barriers
are being erected in an effort to foster
the growth of an enfeebled industrial
system. Our rapidly growing export
trade in motor cars, for example, is
threatened by import duties in several
countries, while some nations rigidly
limit the number of foreign automobiles
that may be imported into their coun-
try. Australia has endeavored to cor
rect her unfavorable exchange position
by enacting an emergency tariff law
which, in combination with the depres-
sion now existing in that country, is
expected to result in the decline of SO
per cent in her imports from the United
states this year.
Typical Of European Attitude.
These measures are typical Of the
attitude that is developing in Europe
and elsewhere toward American COM
Al "a oAt on
the removal of the trade barriers that
were erected after the war, a move
ment in which our own industrialists
and f1nanciers took q part, is react
ing against us by taking the form Of a
pan-European spirit In economic affairs.
This Is typified by Brands proposal Tor
q United States Of Europe. The imme-
date political possibilities OF such
scheme do not appear to be very great,
but its potentialities as an economic
weapon directed against the United
States are considerably more impressive.
The current depression in our foreign
commerce, then, is not to be considered
as marking the end of expansion in our
foreign commerce. but rather as tenn
porary halt, providing us with an OPP
portunity to consolidate our position
and to prepare for the future. In one
sense it may be regarded as the end
of one era and the beginning of an
other, since in the future we probably
will have to depend for our foreign mar
kets more largely on natural economic
and geographical factors and less on the
unnatural postwar situation In Europe.
How can we best prepare ourselves for
the difficult period that lies ahead OF
us? Many possible ways suggest them
selves. For the time being we can help
both others and ourselves by reason
able degree of leniency in dealing with
foreign customers who, by reason OF
conditions over which they have little
or no control, find themselves unable to
live up to the letter of their contracts.
We can apply the same principle in a
more general attitude Of tolerance and
observation-disclosures in dealing with busi-
ness men in countries where customs.
laws and trade practices are different
from our own. We can strive for bet
ter transportation and communication
facilities We can support and enCour-
age the efforts that are being made by
our Government to place better diplo-
matte and promotion facilities at
our disposal.
Most important of all, we can en-
deavor to dispel the fallacious and
hort-sighted views of those who look
askance upon our import trade as an
invasion of the natural and rightful
markets Of our producers.