Will the Allies be such valued commercial helpmates to each other?
Perhaps not. When this war is over the fighting countries will be
impoverished by years of drain and waste. As a result, they will be
poorer customers for each other, but very sharp competitors.
International trade is merely an exchange of goods for goods. You cannot
sell without buying, and vice versa. No groups of nations can live by
taking in each other's washing. They are bound to get outside linen.
When peace comes we shall have the lending and purchasing power of the
world. Can anybody afford to shut us out?

Again: Can the Allies present a united front or carry on a uniform line
of conduct? Will not their interests overlap and cause an inevitable
conflict, even when intentions are of the very best?

France, for example, competes with England in chemicals, surgical
instruments, high-speed tools, scores of things; Russia's competitors in
wheat are not Germany, but Canada, India and Australia; Italy and France
are rivals for the same wine markets. Russia for years has kept down the
high cost of her living by buying cheap German goods at her front door
and having her projects financed by German capital. Will she face
bankruptcy by going hundreds--even thousands--of miles out of her way
and paying more for products? England for years has made huge profits
out of the re-export of Teutonic articles, thanks to the grace of free
trade and huge carrying power. Is she likely to forego all this?

In the last analysis Propinquity and the Purse are the Mothers of Trade
Alliance.

Finally, will not any organised exclusion of German products, coupled
with a definite and organised campaign to throttle German trade the