Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-07-29
SOUTH AMERICAN TRADE.
SHIPS UNDER OUR OWN FLAG
AN ABSOLUTE NECESSITY.

ing Strong FoothoIds Elsewhere.
WASHINGTON, July 2s.-Judge Solon
Thatcher, Of Kansas, a member of the
commission 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, aud called upon
the Secretary of State. Mr.. Curtis, secre-
tary of the commission, is expected the
latter part of the week. The vessel on
which Judge Thatcher and MIR. Curtis
sailed from Brazil was wrecked on a
coral reef when comparatively q short
distance from land The wreck occurred
about O'Clock in the morning, and the
vessel and cargo were total loss.
HARD EXPERIENCE.
The passengers took to smaller boats,
and at night time succeeded in reaching a
small Brazilian port. They were refused
aid of any kind and were compelled to put
up with such comforts as they themselves
found. The following morning a small
craft took them aboard, and In six days
landed them at port where vessel was
waiting TO take them to England. Speak
ing of the object of their visit to the
southern countries, Judge Thacher said
to-day to an Associated Press representa-
tive: 'In every country that we visited,
except perhaps Chill, we found the au-
thorities and people desirOus OF strength.
ening the relations between their country
and the United States.
THEIR MOTHER COUNTRY.
''In nearly every case they said: 'We
look upon the United States as our mother
country, but have received no attention
from her. Foreign powers have sent COM
missions to visit us and have endeavored
to strengthen the feeling between them
selves and our country. This visit of
yours is the first intimation that we have
had that the United States takes interest
in u.s. The reception at Chill was in
deed officially chilly, though personally
we were treated very cordially. The
authorities did not express an eagerness
to promote commerce between the two
countries.
LOOKED UPON AS GUIDE.
"In other countries the people said that
the United States was a big and rich
country, and they looked upon 1t as a
guide. Our practice was to interview
everybody from whom we could gain in
formation that we thought would be
valuable. We had audiences with the
highest officials and with business men-
American, German and English. All
pointed out the advantages to be gained
some of these countries we found Ameri-
can products, agricultural machinery,
ETC., despite the drawbacks that are en-
cOuntered in getting them into South
American markets"
What was the sentiment concerning
the establishment of steamship lines be-
tween the United States and the countries
you Visited?' was asked.
SHIPS THE SOLUTION.
"That is the solution of the commercial
problem between this country and South
America. We must have ships. France,
England, and Germany, all have lines.
Spain has recently subsidized a company,
and so has Italy. OF 46 or 30 vessels
leaving BuenOs Ayres every month, not
one carries the American flag. Now, all
South American countries favor direct
communication with the United States.
They, in majority of cases, will
render pecuniary assistance. Peru and
the Argentine Republic, Uruguay and
even Chill said that they would give inan-
cial aid. Ecuador wants communication,
but can give no money, owing to her
heavy debt. She will open her cOaet line
trade, however, TO the United States.
These counties are in favor of subsidies,
and express the opinion that until they
are given commercial interests cannot be
improved.
WE PROPOSED CONVENTION.
"Did the countries you visited gener-
ally favor the calling of a convention at
which commercial interests might be
discussedP
EVERY country favored such a con-
ventlOn. They wanted the United
States to take the initiative, however, and
call convention, naming the topics that
would be considered, with the under
standing that If any one Of the countries
participating desired TO introduce addi-
tional subjects the privilege would be
granted. The idea was not to cOnfne
the discussion to social interests but to
take up and discuss International topics.
By calling such convention IN this cOuu-
try the delegates would be given an Op.
p0rtunity OF visiting our larger cities aud
examining for themselves our manufac.
tories, OF seeing our religious and educa-
tional institutions, and observing how
religion is separated from the state.
INTEREsT IN EDUCATION.
"The educational question is one which
was discussed with great interest in each
country. In the Argentine Republic we
found that the eX-Presdent had visited
the United States and taken with him to
bis own country number OF teachers,
men and women, moro Of the latter than
Of the former. They are now at the mead
Of normal schools, and are prepar-
ing teachers 10 continue the educa-
ti0n OF the younger population. Every
year a great many young men leave
south America for England, France, and
Germany TO acquire an education. II
they could be brought to the United States
they would be able, when they returned
home, 10 increase or strengthen the good
feeling between their cwn people and the
Americans. The proposition for con-
yention was most warmly received. As
| said, every country WAS most heartily
in favor OF II, aud promised 10 be repre-
sented."
THE SILVER QUESTION.
CHOW about the silver questionp
"That was discussed. too, and the call
iug OF "A convention WAS favored. Each
country advocated the adoption Of com.
mon silver coin. This was especially 40
In countries where silver is mined. Other
countries like Ecuador, where there Is no
native silver, while faYoring the PROPOSE.
tiOn, were not 30 enthusiastic"
or the visit 10 Mexico Judge Thacker
said that the commission found a strong
sentiment among prominent men In favor
OF gtrengthsning the commercial interests
between Mexico aud the United. States
Germans now control the trade In that
country. The British Minister at the City
of Mexico informed the commission that
there was now but one English firm IN
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