Are we ruined by the Germans?

"Are We Ruined by the Germans?" by Harold Cox is a critical examination written in the late 19th century. This work originally appeared as a series of articles in the "Daily Graphic," and it responds to the concerns raised in Ernest Williams' publication "Made in Germany," which argues that British trade is in decline due to German competition. The author aims to demonstrate that despite fears of economic ruin, British trade remains healthy and that Germany is not only a competitor but also a vital customer in international trade. The opening portion of the work sets the stage for a systematic rebuttal of Williams' claims. Cox begins by describing the context of the debate, outlining the arguments presented by Williams regarding a decline in British trade and depicting a bleak future for British commerce. However, he counters this narrative by emphasizing the resilience and growth of British trade through a variety of statistics, indicating that claims of impending doom lack substantive evidence. He expresses confidence that the British economy is thriving despite competition and cautions against hasty policy changes based on exaggerated assertions.