WHEAT PRICE GTJABANTEED BY CONGRESS. 21

Mr. Gates. Another argument that may be urged is the matter of
finance. Foreim nations are further along in their readjustment
than are we. Neutral coimtries and members of the allied group
have already, through their individuals, not through their Govern-
ments, sent inquiries to this country for offers — to mdividuals here.
The individuals here have not been able to reply to them; individual
initiative has been stifled ; we are not able to go ahead and run a busi-
ness wiiich we have known for years and years; I speak of the grain
dealer and exporter. That is the situation in the neutral countries.
Inquiries have come from Spain, Holland, Norway, and they have
been coming, too, from England, Fi-ance, and little Belgium (God
bless her).. That is where they have been coming from. Those peo-
ple are getting ready to do business and their Governments are wUl-
mg that they should.
Now, they are going to buy during this coming year where they can
get the things the cheapest, naturally. Is it possible any of the enemy
countries had made, even before they requested an armistice, finan-
cial arrangements or provision for the necessities of life ? I have
every reason to beheve that such arrangements were made by interna-
tional financiers before the signing of the armistice and before the
request for an armistice, and possibly that may be one reason for the
armistice — that I do not know. I can not quote my authority on
that, but I have reason to believe it is' true.
