Evening star., 1935-11-03
Trade With Italy.

American business has been put on its
honor by President Roosevelt respecting
trade with Italy. His plea to eschew
Temporary abnormally increased profits"
from war orders applies theoretically to
both belligerents, but affects practically
only Italy. Ethiopias opportunities Tor
securing supplies here are limited to the
point of non-existence.
Although the President exerted moral
influence" against trade with the warning
states on October S, when he admon-
ished American citizens that such trans
actions would be conducted at their own
risk, certain exports to Italy last month,
notably of cotton and oil, showed con-
siderable increases. Scrap iron and
motor trucks were also shipped in sub
stantial lots.
There is no intimation as yet that
the administration is disposed TO 60
beyond suasion to induce business to
withhold supplies from Italy. Appar-
emily the President feels he has pro-
ceeded as far in that direction as his
authority under the neutrality and arms
embargo resolution of Congress permits.
He seems content, for the time being,
to rely upon the readiness of business
to place patriotism above profit, to refrain
from operations that might lead to inter-
national complications over our shipping
rights under the doctrine of the freedom
Of the seas.
In notifying business that the Gov
ernment is keeping informed as to all
shipments consigned to either belligerent,
directly or indirectly, there is a strong
fntimation that something more drastic
than moral influence may be invoked to
restrain trade that involves the peril OF
embodiment in war. 1t is suggested that
the President may feel impelled eventu-
ally to brand the traders in question as
war profiteers.
The country will devoutly hope it may
not be found necessary to resort to any
such recourse. It prefers to believe that
Mr.. Roosevelts appeal will not fall on
ears of men concerned only with pursuit
Of the almighty dollar. Our industrial
and agricultural exporters can no doubt
make out good case for accepting war
orders. Our productive resources in
nearly all lines outrun market oppor-
tunities at home and abroad. Unem-
ployment is still widespread. Other nom
League countries may grab the Italian
business. But over and above any OF
these considerations is the country's
higher national interest-non -ertangle-
ment in a new world conflict.
There is another factor worthy OF the
attention of exporters susceptible to the
lure of war trade. Some fifty different
countries are united in the collective
effort of the League to subject Italy to
economic and financial sanctions as
means of enforcing peace. Is it the part
of wisdom-is 1t enlightened self-interest
for American business to put its future
relations with the bulk of civilized man.
kind in Jeopardy for the sake of rich pick
ings from Italy now? Should Genevas
worldwide boycott of Mussolini be rem
dered abortive by American willingness to
supply him with sinews Of war. the ma
tions thus frustrated will not forget. For
wears to come our name will be anathema
among them. Our export trade could
be dealt a blow from which it might
never recover.
If mere dictates of national interest
make no appeal to it, let business ask
itself whether, taking the lorg haul view,
the game is worth the candle.