Evening star., 1935-03-31
Period of Currency Chaos
Expected to Force Move
for Conference.
FURTHER DOLLAR CUT
IN INTERIM TALKED
Paris Centers Attention on Hitler
Plans-Germany Pleased by
Firm Stand.
Special Dispatch to The Star.


NEW YORK, March 30:-Cables
and wireless dispatches to Business
Week give the following survey of
business abroad for the week ending
today.
LONDON.-''Trouble in Europe
foremost of which are the weakness
Of the Belgian currency and the un-
settlement which has followed the
Hitler move-have slowed British
business. though London is probably
less disturbed by the German move
than most continental capitals. Lon
don Is committed to no definite policy
in Central Europe and Is likely to
consider Hitler's demands q little
more impartially than Paris or Rome
or Moscow. The British public is
definitely anti-war, and British Of
f1cials are likely to go long way to
bring about some peaceful adjust
ment of differences.
London is of the opinion that with
Belgium off the gold standard. Hol-
land and Switzerland will follow
soon. with France unable to hold out
for long alone. British exporters are
already worried over the new COM
petition which Belgium will offer in
world markets with the advantage
of a cheaper currency. The British
tariff on iron and steel products will
be increased from 33ls per cent to
SO per cent to protect the home
market from flood of Belgian
Specialties which would come into the
country as soon as the currency was
officially devalued.
Chaotic Period Expected.
''If the British expectations for the
gold bloc prove true, there will al
most inevitably be a few weeks of
quickly to a calling of a world
economic conference to consider re-
stablization Of currencies. probably at
parties somewhere near present levels.
In the interim, Europe will not be
surprised If Roosevelt devalues fur
ther.
Industrial company reports con-
tinue to show excellent increases in
both profits and dividends, and the
new-issue market is still active.
London is genuinely excited over
the ideal home exhibition which has
just opened with a flourish. The
King has paid an official visit to the
kings house. prize model planned
as the ideal home for an English
man. There is an extensive display.
of modern bath room and kitchen
facilities"
France Is Worried.
PARIS.-"France is worried over
the weeks developments in relation to
Germany. Sir John Simon's inabil-
ity to win a single concession from
Hitler; the bold demands issued in
Berlin, particularly affecting Frances
satellite, Czechoslovakia, and swift
moves by the foreign Office to cement
pacts with Moscow have all been
watched by business with some mis-
givings.
THE threat is not immediate, but
there will be no recovery of business
SO long as war seems inevitable ulti-
mately. Next big decision is likely to
come from the Stresa Conference Of
French, British and Italian officials
April II.
France almost certainly will de-
nounce the Hitler move at the League
of Nations meeting April Is. Moth
ing so well indicates the seriousness
Of the situation Gas far as the French
are concerned as the move by the
government this week to ban exports
OF certain raw materials considered
necessary for national defense.
In the midst of this diplomatic
furry, French industrialiStS and poll
ticians are attempting to negotiate
new trade bargains with Italy, Ger
many and Russia, but little has been
accomplished. All interest for the
moment is transferred to the big ma
tional issues. 1t is rumored, but not
yet confirmed, that several big
French industries are planning a
1000, 600, ,000-tranc loan to Russia for
rail equipment purchases.
Internally, the government has
moved TO make money more plentiful
by ruling that loans in France cannot
carry more than per cent interest,
for Algerian, 6 per cent. This pro-
posal is in dill which is now being
considered by Parliament"
Reich Business Nervous.
BERLIN.-"While Germany as a
whole is pleased with the firm stand
which Hitler has taken, business Is
nervous over the nightmare of Franco
Russian and other military alliances
which are being made with all speed.
Germany's stand is not likely to be
altered by any move which the former
allies may take at their meeting in
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