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Show iInimsfw Entente Powers in Complete Unity on Economic Policy War to Knife Their Determination. EYES ARE OPENED Asquith Reviews Situation Complete Reparation for Devastated Areas Must Be Obtained. London, Aug. 2, 4:50 p. m. Premier Pre-mier Asquith, on opening the discussion discus-sion in the bouse of commons on the resolutions of the Paris economic con-1 ferencp, said the British government had entered the conference with two objects in view. The first was to convince the Central Powers that the entente powers, whatever their influence influ-ence was on the economic policy, were resolved to wage war in complete com-plete unity nnd determination in economic as in military spheres, Thp object was to make preparations foi-livins foi-livins the period of the declaration of peace in view of the known will and attitude of the Germans. "Our eyes have been opened," said the premier, "as to the meaning of the manifold ramifications of tho German Ger-man system of economic penetration and commercial and financial control of vital interests and the use to vbich with advantage this system couli1. be put in time of war." "Germany," Mr. Asquith said, "would be animated with tho same spirit when the wnr was over. The Germans already were organizing thoir industries for an attack on- the j markets of the entente allies," hej r r said, "and for a vigorous, if possible,; attack on neutral markets." ' Germans Have Advantage. J The Germans would start with obvious ob-vious advantages, the premier continued, con-tinued, through their action in destroying de-stroying was works and factories in the invaded countries, and because of the fact that they had a largo maritime mari-time fleet safely interned in German and neutral ports, it would be necessary neces-sary to make preparations for the coming of peace and the resolutions of the conference reached the general lines upon which these preparations would proceed. Asquith Reviews Situation. Reviewing "the situation in general Premier Asquith emphasized two points, first, the determination of the allies to obtain reparation for the devastated areas, and second that "these resolutions are not aimed at neutrals." "The attention of the government," continued the premier, " has been called to the fact that some apprehension appre-hension has arisen In neutral countries coun-tries more especially in the United Str.tes with regard to these resolutionsthat resolu-tionsthat the resolutions might be directed against neutrals. This is not tho case. The resolutions contemplated contem-plated only necessary measures of self delense against economic aggres: sion threatening the allies' most vital interests and, in carrying them Into effect, every endeavor will be made to insure neutrals against suffering. ' There was no more hardened free trader than he, said the premier, but no one could bo blind to the fact that this war, with Its upheaval of social, political and commercial conditions brought new problems and modifications modifica-tions into the solution of all problems. prob-lems. Premier Asquith repeated that it was an essential condition to peace that Belgium and Serbia be restored, not only politically, nationally and diplomatically, di-plomatically, but materially and economically eco-nomically to the positions in which thev stood before the war. The devastated dev-astated districts of France and Poland Po-land would be similarly treated. Dealing briefly with the measures proposed for the course of the war and during the period of reconstruction, reconstruc-tion, Premier Asquith said It was the bounden duty of the allies to take every step to secure for their own use "the supplies produced by their own countries. As for permanent measures for mutual assistance and collaboration among the allies these would be left to each countryjcpnsist-ent countryjcpnsist-ent with the purpose of promoting economic independence- of hostile countries among the allies. He emphasized empha-sized the point that the resolutions were not aimed at neutrals. Omens for Future. As far as Great Britain was concerned, con-cerned, continued the premier, the omenr. for the future were very en-ocuraging. en-ocuraging. British industries had shown extraordinary enterprise and resourcefulness and there was a greater great-er disposition among manufacturers to co-operate and call in the available scientific and mechanical resources of, the country, to increase the output and improve the organization. Certain commercial changes, said Mr. Asquith, amounted "to a revolu tion. The board of trade was engaged engag-ed In a scheme to render the country independent of supplies from hostile belligerents in respect to dyes, spelter, spel-ter, etc. The plans for research already al-ready had been perfected. The question of industrial and commercial com-mercial policy generally has been referred re-ferred to a committee and the government govern-ment was in communicatNen with India In-dia and with the dominions and the whole matter oi me uuum--o policy would be considered. The government, added the premier, pre-mier, was in consultation with labor representatives with a view to the formulation of an after-the-war policy in social and industrial matters intended in-tended to secure a fairer distribution among all classes of the results of modem industry. nn |