The New York Times/1916/11/22/Preparing to Combat World Trade War
PREPARING TO COMBAT WORLD TRADE WAR
Washington Officials Believe Such a Struggle Is Brewing and Hope to Forestall It.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 21.—The prospective European commercial war after the war is being watched carefully by Consular officers abroad, and reports are being received regularly from many sources. All available facts are being sent to Washington. It is believed here that the country faces a serious economic danger unless it adopts means to forestall a war on its foreign trade. Legislation will be sought in Congress.
Reports to the departments vary widely in their interpretation of probabilities abroad. Some say that personal hatred among the masses may result in practical boycotts against goods from countries now hostile. Doubt is expressed, however, as to whether an actual trade war, as proposed by the London Chamber of Commerce, with different tariffs for colonies, allies, friendly neutrals, and enemies, will be decreed by official act.
Reports from investigators who have recently returned from Europe show that in England the “England first” campaign has been directed very largely against American goods. In Germany some of the largest companies are putting out advertisements decrying the purchase of American goods.