611.626/⅓
The Ambassador in Germany ( Gerard ) to the Secretary of State
Dear Mr. Secretary: I think that the dye stuff and chemical manufacturers here are getting worried over possible action by Congress in protecting new American factories in these lines either by raising the tariff or enacting anti-dumping legislation.
[Page 668]Follows a copy of a letter from C. von Weinberg, who, with his brother, controls the Cassella Company, one of the great dye stuff companies of Germany, which, together with five other companies, form the “Trust”.
Waldfried bei Frankfurt a. M.
November 18th,
1915.
“My dear Ambassador,
In my last letter I told you that my people in the United States were trying to form a corporation to which our colors might be sent for distribution. Now today I have got a cable saying they have finally succeeded and that all American agents of the German color works have agreed to have their shipments addressed to the ‘Republic Trading Corporation.’
Now this difficulty being removed I hope that there will be soon found a way to release the suffering American textile-industry.
I remain, dear Excellency,
very sincerely yours,
(signed) C. v. Weinberg.”
Note Congressman Metz represents one of these companies, the “Hoechst”, in America.
This letter would seem to imply that the German dye stuff manufacturers find that the embargo on the export of their goods will not compel the United States either to send in cotton or go to war with Great Britain and that the creation of a protected industry in America is a possibility to be faced.
Personally I hope to see the industry created and protected in America so that we can be independent of Germany in future, but if you desire German dye stuffs and can pass them through the English blockade, a mere intimation of coming protective legislation will, I think, induce the Germans to lift the present embargo.
Weinberg, the writer of the letter, is a personal acquaintance of mine.
The Germans claim that they defeated the English near Bagdad and drove them back forty kilometers.
Many intelligent rich persons here are expressing the fear that after this war the Socialist high price system, governmental seizure of food, control of raw materials, etc., will be continued and also that the owners of large landed estates will be compelled to subdivide them.
There are rumors which I don’t believe that a new party is in process of formation which will really be a new incarnation of the Social-Democratic party, but which operating under a different name will be free from the disadvantages the Socialists now labor under, such as the mere burden of the name of Socialist.
[Page 669]Von Wiegand8 just back from the Italian-Austrian front reports Italians will probably soon take Goerz and if then they take the mountain San Michele will force the whole Austrian line back. He calculates Austrian losses 80000 Italian 300000.
About twelve million Germans have to date been called to colors or work in factories for munitions.
Yours ever
Reichstag meets Nov. 30th will probably pass law authorizing Government to call to colors men 18 to 50, both inclusive.
Would like to take advantage of your offer of vacation to U. S. but can’t leave the English. They are not too well treated and naturally want three rooms and a bath and meals from Delmonicos— it’s in the blood.
A prominent German-American banker has just now come in to tell me he was today fired from the board of directors of the big General Electric Co. because he was an American citizen. He is going to move to America—he says the hate against Americans is intense. Defense!!
- Karl von Wiegand, Berlin correspondent of the New York World.↩