The Struggle For Peace

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see, why her industrial position should be worsened. Exchanges
of goods over the frontier between Germany and Czecho-
slovakia are likely to be mutually beneficial. I do not imagine
that there will be difficulty put in the way of importing raw
materials."
MR. E. J. WILLIAMS : " Will it not affect the coal trade in
this country ? "
THE PRIME MINISTER : " I am talking of the industrial
position of Czechoslovakia. So far as this country is con-
cerned, we have no wish to block Germany out from those
countries or to encircle her economically. It is true that we
have certain trade interests there ourselves, and of course, we
mean to maintain those trade interests; and indeed, in that
respect, we shall have the good will of the countries them-
selves. Although, as I have said, their natural market is to be
found chiefly in Germany, nevertheless, they can, as a rule,
only obtain payment from Germany either in the form of
goods—a barter arrangement—or in the form of blocked
marks. That does not suit them. They want free currency
so that they may import other materials and things which
they cannot get in Germany. Therefore, they do desire at
least a certain proportion of their trade to be done with
other countries, and for that reason we shall have their assis-
tance and good will in our efforts to maintain our trade.
Do not let us suppose that there necessarily must be eco-
nomic warfare between Germany and ourselves. There must
be some competition. Competition is a thing that we thrived
on in the past It is not in our interest to see any part of the
world remain poor. If by means of international trade between
Germany and these countries the economic position of these
countries is improved, you may be quite certain that we shall
get our share of the trade. They may not buy exactly the
same things from us as they buy from Germany, but they will
buy from us those articles which we are most fitted to supply.
I finish what I have to say on this subject by the general
observation that, in my view, there is room both for Germany
and for us in trade with those countries and that neither of
us ought to try to obtain exclusive possession of their markets.
With regard to the other minorities, the right hon* Gentle-
man (Mr. Attlee) appeared to indicate that it was very wrong