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Show THREE QUESTIONS Has Unrestricted Submarine Warfare Been Bought Too Dearly? WHAT WILL FOLLOW? Is It Possible to Make Germany Economically Independent of America? AMSTERDAM, via London, April 9, 6:40 a. m. Three questions in regard to America's entrance into the war have been put to leading German manufacturers man-ufacturers by the Rheinish Westfael-ischo Westfael-ischo Gazette of Essen, an Important industrial organ. The paper asks: First, whether unrestricted submarine warfare has been bought too clearly at the price of war with America; second, sec-ond, what will be the economic consequences; conse-quences; third, is it possible to make Germany economically independent of America? Counselor Dr. Beukenbcrg of Dortmund answere the first question ques-tion in the negative. Dr. Beukenberg says: "Our early reluctance to use our submarines was due to the most far-reaohing far-reaohing deference to America, with whom we were on friendly terms and, above all, enjoyed important commercial commer-cial relations. America never attempted attempt-ed to help us in our distress, caused by England's starvation blockade. Our yielding to America's demands was not caused by fear of her military resources, re-sources, but with a view to avoid difficulties dif-ficulties in rebuilding our foreign trade after the war. Wilson's Biased Judgment "President Wilson's biased judgment judg-ment of tho German proposals showed that America does not want German victory and prefers to aid British aims in the dismeberment of Germany and Austria-Hungary. Wo were thus compelled com-pelled to resume unrestricted submarine subma-rine warfare in order to force a victorious vic-torious conclusion to the war. Considerations Con-siderations of the future developments of our trade must wait while danger exists of our losing the fruits of victory." vic-tory." In regard to the second question, Dr. Beukenberg, after pointing out in detail de-tail that American exports to Germany were two and a half times bigger than German exports to America, says: Will Need American toan. "After the war America will not want to cut off her German customer. It would harm us grievously if America Ameri-ca were to refuse to us later a large loan to help us over our difficulties. Wo would then have to make our stocks last much longer, although eventually able to return to a sound basis." After calling attention to the huge increase in America's financial strength, Dr. Beukenberg says in answer an-swer to tho third question: Cannot Be Wholly Independent. "Germany cannot become wholly independent in-dependent In the caso of cotton, for instance, under tho most favorable circumstances. cir-cumstances. It would take decades to meet our needs from our colonies or Asia Minor. To a certain extent we can be independent, if we live sparingly sparing-ly and use all our available substitutes, but a large part of German imports are raw materials, which are exported as manufactured goods. Thug Increases in the difficulties of importing would hit us badly. This, however, applies equally to tho United States. Americans Ameri-cans do not grow cotton for nothing and they will welcome their old customer custo-mer back again. After all, the submarine subma-rine war spells victory, and, if we are to dictate peace, adequate guarantees may be negotiated. Now that America Ameri-ca Is an open enemy we no longer have our hands tied and there is no longer tho fear that we might have to make an undignified peace through exhaustion. ex-haustion. The slogan is now victory or death with honor." . rr . |