Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-07-31
South American Trade.
TALK WITH COMMISSIONER THATCHER

WASH SGToS, July 28.-Judge Solon
Thatcher of Kansas, member Of the COM
mission appointed to visit Mexico and South
America in the interest of trade between those
countries and the United States. arrived in
Washington to-day. direct from London.
Speaking of the object of their visit to the
southern countries, Judge Thatcher said:
"In every country that we visited except,
perhaps, Chilli, we found the authorities and
the people DESTROYS of strengthening the rela-
tions between their country and the United
States. In nearly ever case they said we
look upon the United States as our mother
country. but have received no attention from
her. Foreign Powers have sent commissions
to visit US and have endeavored to strengthen
the feeling betw cen themselves and our coun-
try. This visit of yours is the fret intiulatIon
that we have had that the United States takes
an interest in us The reception at Chill
was indeed officially chilly. though person.
ally we were treated cordially. The authori-
ties did not express any eagerness to promote
commerce between the two countries. In
other countries the people said the United
States was big and rich country, and they
looked upon it as a guide Our practice was
to interview everybody from whom we could
gain information that we thought would be
valuable. We had audiences with the high
est officials and with business men-Ameri-
cans, Germans and English. All pointed
out the advantages to be gained by intercourse
with our own country. In some Of these
countries we found American products-ag-
ricultural machinery, etc despite the draw
backs that are encountered in getting them
into the South American markets"
"What was the sentiment concerning the
establishment of steamship lines between the
United States and the countries you visited "
That is the solution of the commercial
problem between this country and South
America. We must have ships. OF forty or
fifty vessels leaving Buenos Avres every
month. not one carries the American flag.
Now all the South American countries favor
direct communication with the Uaited States
In the majority of cases they will render Pc
cuniary assistance. Peru and the Argentine
Republic. Uruguay and even Chill, said they
would give financial aid Ecuador wants COM
munication, but can give no money, owing tn
her heavy debt. She will open her coast
wise trade, however, to the United States.
These countries are in favor of subsidies, and
express the opinion that until they are given
the commercial interests cannot be i'm
proved"
did the countries YOU visited generally
FAVOR the Gazing OF convention at winch
commercial interests might be discussed?"
Every country favored such convention.
They wanted the United States to take the
initiative, however. and call the convention,
naming the topics that would be considered,
with the understanding that if any one Of the
countries participating desired to introduce
an additional subject, the privilege would be
granted. The idea was not to conf1ne the
discussion to commercial interests, but to
take up and discuss International topics.
'The silver question was discussed, too,
and the calling of a convention was favored
Each country advocated the adoption of a
common silver coin. This was especially SO
in the countries where silver is mined. Other
countries, like Ecuador, where there is nc
native silver, while favoring the proposition,
were not so enthusiastic"
OF the visit to Mexico Judge Thatcher said
the commission found strong sentiment
among prominent men in favor OF strengthen
ing the commercial interests between Mexico
and the United States The Germans now
control the trade in that country. The
British Minister at the City of Mexico in.
formed the commission that there was now
but one English firm in the place, the Others
having been driven out by the Germans -
Tribune