J. Kenneth Galbraith Applauds United States' Economic Censure of Germany

"On the whole, I endorse the economic snub to Germany very strongly," stated J. Kenneth Galbraith, Instructor in Economics and Tutor. "The snub will injure Germany's trade set-up, for her exports to this country are far in advance of her imports, which she has reduced as far as possible."

Duty Shows Disapproval

"The 25 per cent penalty duty placed on all German imports by the government," continued Galbraith, "shows disapproval of current policies of governing the country much more strongly than would a frantic exchange of 'empty' notes. It injures Germany economically, whereas notes would serve only to make the German Government laugh up its sleeve at the foolishness of the United States.

"At the present moment the United States is in a very secure position for retaliation. No matter what action had been taken I believe that relations between the United States and Germany would have and will continue as badly as possible, short of war."

Galbraith said that he did not believe the move would seriously affect the European situation. It will bring into review German trade relations with England and France although any direct action is unlikely.

Justifies U. S. Actions

Justifying the actions of the United States Government, the Economics instructor said, "I regard the penalty tax as a legitimate expression of the feeling of the United States to German international policy, including her International Economic Policy. There is a great deal of evidence that Germany has already reduced her imports from the United States to the indispensable minimum. As a consequence, any action of this kind is bound to be felt rather more severely by Germany in the retaliation which unquestionably follow.

No Question of Legality

"There is no question of the legality of the matter. Under German trading methods all exports are subsidized to an indeterminate degree.

"With the stricture placed on exports to this country Germany will suffer even more than the economists in this country realized when the bill was passed through Congress."