-3- compensating concessions. The European countries which consider their trade balances with us to be unfavorable are likely to believe that much more can be gained this way than by merely entering into ordinary reciprocal treaties with us. (5) It would be difficult to promise an expansion of the American market for any substantial quantity of German goods -- (a) because so many of Germany's goods are competitive with American products, and (b) because of the widespread boycott on German goods in this country. (6) Failing the ability to quickly increase the market for German goods, we would be likely to be called upon to extend credit to the German Government. As bearing on that. it may be remembered (a) there would be a great number of prior claims on the resources of the German Government, so that all German Government paper would have a very dubious credit standing; (b) Germany has defaulted on the payment of most of the long term government securities held in this country. (7) |