The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1941-09-06

!. the, cared 10 apply al the moment
We get this straight once and for all: there
Is such thing having purely economic relations
with the totalitarian states. Every business deal
carries with 1t political. military. social, propaganda
implications
To imagine the of should get from
Victorious Germany examine the methods the Nazs have
used dealing with Sweden, Switzerland and other weaker
countries.
A Swedish firm which sold goods to Germany in the
period before December 1888 often called upon sub
nit complete list of its employees. These names were
checked against from Mani undereover agents in
desirable had be fired Otherwise the firm could not
tinue TO sell to Germany.
How could maintain freedom II individual
American firms compelled TO discharge
poyees in order TO win trading concessions in Europe!
what the Nazs really hope To do mere is TO play one
section against the other. German foreign office official
opened his heart to me thus
Instead the United States would like 10 deal with
different treating them separate countries. We
would not do much business with the country of New York
and sell finished goods. We would buy fruit and lumber
from the country of San Francisco We would buy packing
house and agricultural products from Chicago
You what the Nazs really would like to unity Europe
and divide America.
1t is n illusion to suppose that. after the war.
could get rid of surplus agricultural cont
modities toa totatarian Europe on any advantageous
basis. Any products of which we had a surplus would
be just the products they would not buy.
For example IN the last few years the Germans put
ton, while at the same time they buying cotton oil
inferior quality from Latin America Africa and Asia at
to 10 cents pound They did this divert trade from
this country and to put US in more difficult trading posi-
ton.
which happened to want We might find that all these
items the Verboten list
In considering economic pressure which Hitler might
apply to United States through third countries let
briefly list the trading of the world as they would
appear after a Naz victory.
In the Old World. there would probably remain
but two such the Axis covering Europe Africa.
and part of Asia; and the Japanese empire in East
Both these economic blocs practice the stricest of
deal with each other the basis Of special blateral
agreements, covering specified exchanges of commod-
ties and services between them They would I'M
doubtedly attempt to continue this system of trade
with the countries of the New World.
Most Of the western republics tied to the Amer
economic system through Secretary Hus network OF
reciprocal trade Our system provides for most
fayorednaton treatmentnamey that when two of these
states complete agreement other countries granted
the benefit of the lowered tariff rates provided they join in
making similar agreements.
1t is impossible for 5 to include in system states
which continue to grant special avors to other states for
obviously they cannot admit equal Those
nations which have made special with Germany
by doing promise to give the Germans special avors
Hence, state in Latin America may a the
time be member of the United States system of trade
agreements and member Of the German blateral
trading system.
Unfortunately for us, there still several Latin
it. because unable to make satisfactory arrangements
for importing their commodities OF which directly
competitive with United States products.
Those countries, of whom the most important is Argen
have choice but Htsrs system batera
ments This will lead to increased trade with Europe.
As this trade has reached the point where
II is absolutely vital TO Argentina and other Latin
American countries. the Germans will use their posi-
ton of preponderance to insist that all trade with
the United States be stopped that American firms in
those countries be closed down, and that American
statesmen and business executives be sent home These
tactics precisely the which Germany has
cessfuly used in Eastern Europe for several years.
The Naz will force certain Latin American nations 10
decide whether they will do all their business with Europe
or none at all In this they be able to create
trade bloc of several South American countries particularly
at the southern end of the continent.
And we may be there will be considerable
likelihood that this totaitaran trade could
pand to the northward. gradually pushing
advance agents from country after another.
Let us remember that Hitler would have the labor
Of the greater part Of the world with. He could
quote prices with which American firms could compete
He could afford to do business nothing if
sary. We know that the Nails offered few ago
equip the forts Of the Dadenelles with artillery OF
charge German equipment used by the Turks.
Over in this hemisphere. German planes have been
carrying the mail free Of charge in SON parts Of
South America. in order TO the service Of
Pan-American airways. Does anyone imagine that
private firms in the United States stand up
cessfuly against this type Of subsidized competition?
Small nations the world have tried protect
themselves against such high-pessure dumping remern-
Der years when National Bank of Afghansan
preached in order 10 obtain trucks, smbulanees,
staff and similar equipment They preferred buy
from the United States nigh rather thar take
Soviet materials which practically gift.
remember how the government Of Abyssina tried 70
interest American firms constructing radio
Adds Ababa They would rather market prices for
stated and serylced By Italian engineers.
Both these little countries suspected that totah-