In the House of Commons on Wednesday Mr. Asquith made
an important statement upon the proceedings of the Allies' Economic Conference at Paris. Our objects were mainly (a) to show that the Allies will wage the war with as much unity in the economic as in the military sphere, and (1) to balk the efforts of Germany to resume her policy of economic penetration as soon as peace comes. Tim war measures, including the prohibition of trade with enemy sub- jects wherever they reside, are being carried out. At the close of the war the Allies will see that devastated Belgium and Serbia, Northern France and Poland, are restored " materially and economi- cally to the position in which they stood before the war." They will refuse Germany and her allies most-favoured-nation treatment for a period of years, and will subject enemy goods " either to prohibitions or to a special regime." After the peace the Allies will take such steps as each may think fit to " render themselves independent of the enemy countries " as regards raw materials and manufactures, finance and shipping.
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