The War After the War by Isaac Frederick Marcosson
page 31 of 174 (17%)
page 31 of 174 (17%)
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permanent, if less drastic, exclusion when peace comes.
Habit is strong with Englishmen, and the shrewd insular manufacturer has been quick to see the opportunities for advancement that lie in this closed-door campaign. "Get the consumer out of the habit of using a certain American product during the war," he argues, "and when the war is over--even before--he will be a good 'prospect' for the English substitute." Here is a concrete story that will illustrate how the exclusion works and what lies behind: Last summer a certain well-known American machine, whose gross annual business in Great Britain alone amounts to more than half a million dollars a year, was suddenly denied entrance into the kingdom. When the managing director protested that it was a necessity in hundreds of British ships he was told that it made no difference. "But what are the reasons for exclusion?" he asked. "We don't want English money to go out of England," was the reply. "Then we shall not only bank all our receipts here but will bring over one hundred thousand pounds more," came from the director. It had no effect. "Is it tonnage?" was the next query. |
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