See Germany in Drive for Barter Pacts

Although he did not directly refer to it, Secretary of State Cordell Hull made what was obviously intended as an assault on the anti-German boycott at a press conference here yesterday when he declared himself of the opinion that boycotts are exceedingly unwise and generally don’t pay, as they represent one more element that is obstructive.

The State Department is in the midst of a campaign to increase trade with all nations and Secretary Hull is industriously working out reciprocal tariff treaties.

Although all negotiations so far have been informal, it is apparent that Germany’s proposals have led the State Department to believe that the Reich is starving for American raw materials.

BARTER PROPOSED

The proposals are understood to fall within the definitions of a barter arrangement, under which Germany could buy large quantities of cotton, tobacco and other unfinished products, and send us in return a limited line of machinery and dyes, of the sort not manufactured in this country.

Together with George N. Peek, special adviser on foreign trade, Secretary Hull has mapped out a four-point program to invigorate trade:

1. Voluntary action by one nation to remove high tariff or other trade restrictions.

2. Agreements between two nations to increase trade. These constitute bi-lateral agreements and would take in a variety of methods, such as a trade agreement, a barter understanding and a trade accord involving government credits.

3. Agreements between a number of nations.

4. World-wide accords, or multi-lateral agreements, under which a universal attempt is made to