Evening star., 1944-11-13
World Trade Battle
Called Threat 10 Plan
For Postwar Unity
~ the Associated Press,

- viz AsDVVihIeC FIeSSs
The possibility that intense ma.
tonal trade rivalry among the Allies
may impinge on Anglo-Americar-
Russian plans for postwar peace and
security measures is foreseen by
some ofhcials here as the result OF
certain recent incidents.
Unfortunately the prospect of q
struggle for markets arises at the
very time when the big Three" need
to cooperate to insure political sta
bility. observers point out.
The rise OF economic nationalism
has been most clearly marked by
the Observation-Disclosures strug-
gle for Iranian oil and increasing
indications that unless Washington
and London reach some co-opera-
tive understanding they may ccm-
pete flercely for postwar trade.
Reversion Is Expected.
The commercial conflicts setting
in as the European war moves
toward its close generally are con-
sidered by oficials here to be in
evitable. The fear is that they may
coincide with a wave of nationalism,
resulting in tariff barriers, import
and export quota controls and final
ly economic war between govern
ment-controlled economies.
The problem is among the tough
est awaiting discussion by President
Roosevelt, Prime Minister Churchill
and Premier Stain.
I'm afraid" one official said,
"that a lot of people have been just
waiting for the big final interna-
tional conference to produce a
ready-made Utopia. 1t isn't going
to happen that way. The end of
the war Is certain to bring rever-
sion to nationalism.
That could express itself most
violently in trade rivalries and in
attempts to develop self-sufficient
national economies in many coun-
tries. To prevent that in the inter-
est of international cooperation
will be an enormous job"
Conflicts Outlined.
The Allied countries have made
start toward prevention in setting
up an international oil agreement,
proposing various other agreements
at such meetings as the current avi-
alton conference at Chicago and
providing for an economic and social
council in the proposed world peace
Meanwhile, here are some of the
conflicting economic conditions and
developments:
The United States Government
has laid down basic policy of free
trade. 1t is opposed to special pref
erential agreements among~a few
countries and to preferences sys-
TENS such as that of the British
Empire
The British are undecided. Their
empire finances virtually are bank
rupt, as they soon may tell the world
officially in white paper" 1t is
understood that within the British
government is controversy over
economic collaboration versus
lollc mana pOlCy.
Russia remains an enigma. Some
officials here regard the USSR as
foreign trade nation. Others pre-
dict the Russians will export only
enough goods and raw materials to
import machines and skill they need
for rebuilding their domestic
economy.
The Russian policy question mark
Is written most clearly in Iran. A
British company has an oil conces-
sion there and an American group
was negotiating for one when the
Russians stepped in with their usual
nard-handed diplomacy. The Iran
government wouldn't submit to the
Russian demands and called off the
negotiations. Finally it
had to resign. In 1919 the Russians
gave up a similar concession, re-
economic imperialism.
There is some belief here they may
be getting back in the game again
now
The British denounced, until
officials denied it, re-
port that United States business
men were operating. in Army off,
GERS uniforms in Paris Immediately
after its liberation.
American businessmen long have
alleged British use of American
lease-lend supplies for their own
commercial benefit and the British
have denied it.
To Push Export Trade.
British production officials and
American lease-lend experts have
been estimating their 1945 require
ments for months. All have denied
any British intention to re-export
lease-lend goods in commercial
channels.
Yet the British have told the
Government quite frankly
that they intend to build up their
export trade to the limit when the
European war ends. They point out
that American interests will be
doing the same thing.
British officials say their basic
pOSlOlOll 10 UlldO Vic olllGCO oUdUCS
must 60 along with Britain on
economic measures to build up the
nation-else Britain will 60 under
and this country will lose its Oldest
ally in the European area.
The British would like to have
some kind of lease-lend for the
special purpose of helping rebuild
their country.
They insist that unless the United
States helps them rebuild and de-
velop a free trade in a free world
economy they will be compelled to
switch over to some form of
tate-controlled economy in the
course of ruthless fight for
markets.