Let the Enemy Pay

68 In return for our armaments, potential enemy nations would have to offer us something more valuable than these war goods. Of course, such a plan of free trade does not conform to traditional military strategy. It isn't "practical" from a military point of view-you can't start a war by means of free trade. Military strategy deals with the subject of war; sound economics calls for peaceful trade. Until the people themselves recognize that these ideas are hopelessly opposed to each other, political and military strategists will keep right on lead ing nations into wars. Our fear of being cut off from sources of essential materials during times of war has been more a theory than a fact. The market has a way of being supplied, even though drastic attempts are made to prevent it. Experi ence with so-called black markets has demonstrated this. At times, we have attempted to keep our exports out of the hands of "enemy" countries, only to find out later that, by devious and roundabout exchanges, they reached there anyway. It is common practice for warring nations to trade with each other-by indirect means, through agents in neutral countries.

There seems to be ample evidence that, even for national defense, tariffs have no place in our economy. First. and nl0st important, free trade between individuals of different nations contributes to the friendship and good feelings which are conducive to peace. Trade re strictions, on the other hand, lead to hatred, conniving, jealousy-incidents which in turn may lead to conflict. Secondly, tariffs or trade restrictions weaken a nation's 69 economy and make it less able to withstand attacks, should they come. Much concern is expressed over European unity. For decades, attempts have been made to unite the countries of Europe by political alliances, international cartels, and trade agreetnents of all sorts. Actually, the elimina tion of trade barriers between European nations and the restoration of trade opportunities to individuals and firms would go further toward bringing about a peaceful Europe than would any other scheme that could be devised. And this could be accomplished without the least disturbance of political, religious, or other cultural institutions.