National Republican., 1886-10-23
Foreign Trade of South America.

From Statistical Report for october
The extent Of the South American cont.
nent, its vast areas OF productive lands,
and its proximity 20 the United States, are
considerations that affect, not only our
future trade, but our agriculture. Its con-
dition hitherto Is like that of North America
at the time OF our revolutionary war; its
practically illimitable areas unoccuFied,
except very sparsely, II not by an aboriginal
population, by Spanish-Indian element
almost equally intractable and inefficient
as subduers of nature to the uses of man.
A small spriukllDg OF European immigra.
tion has given whatever Of progress has
been made. But n new era is dawning.
Immigrants are of late pouring into the
temperate zone, especially into the Argen-
tine Republic, from Italy, Spain, and other
countries OF Southern Europe, literally by
millions, bringing money, agricultural i'm.
plements (the more enterprsing ordering
them from the manufacturers of the United
States), knowledge OF modern agricultural
methods, and good degree OF enterprise
and ambition. The rapid extension OF rail
roads opens up new, lands, on which agrl-
cultural colonies are located, and wheat,
flax, and other products are already largely
grown, and seeking export.
From this immigration, railroads connect
ing the fat pampas with salt water naviga-
tion and the enticing cheapness OF these pro-
ductiye lands, competition with our meat
and wheat and wool may come more serious
than any heretofore suffered. India is
populous and unenterprisng, with old and
worn soils, sending only to 10 per cent. OF
her wheat, and liable In any year to need 1t
all to save her people from famine. The
Argentine Republic has virgin soil, few
people to feed, and can soon send 80 to 20
per cent. OF wheat produced to foreign
countries. India plows with stick and
thrashes with the hoofs OF oxen the Ar.
gentine Republic and Chill are moving for
the best steel plows anu the finest American
reapers and thrashers. Our competition I'm
wheat is to be serious with South America,
when apprehensions of Indian competition
yield to pity for her famine stricken people.
The external commerce of South America
Is increasing rapidly. Chill has nearly
doubled her volume of trade In ten years.
In round numbers the advance from 1874 to
1883. inclusive has been from S32, 900, 900 TO
Si3,CO0O 600 In exports, and from S35, 900, 900
to $J0,OOO,0OO In imports. The increase In
exports has been all In the last half of this
period, making the favorable balance Of
trade source of national prosperity. In
the Argentine Republic the advance In eX.
ports for the same period has been from
Sal 100000 to $G6, 100000, and OF imports
from $34, 100000 TO $9l, 10000 The agrl-
cultural implements and other merchandise
brought INTO the country recently by immi'
grants rs a part of their working capi-
tai, and paid for from money brought
with them from other countries, does
not represent Indebtedness. This increase Is
all since 1881, ms the imports Of 1854 were
not exceeded In @ single year until 1882,
when an increase Of 20 per cent resulted in
three years, Uruguay shows an increase
also from $l5,O00,O00 to $2i 900, 600 in ex.
ports and from $l7, 900 900 to SEQ, 900, 900 in
imports. Other countries have made va
Iiablc rates OF advance, the exact data for
which are not at present available.
The United States has as yet only q small
share In this commerce. Great Britain has
encouraged and ordered the establishment
and support OF steamship lines and fostered
railroad communication, and furnished
capital for industrial development OF these
countries, especially the Argentine Repub.
lie and Chill, ana, therefore, controls their
trade. The London Stdtia claims for this
development a prominent place in the con-
sideration Of British commercial circles,
as the bulk Of the public debt OF those
states Is held In this country, and as British
capital has built and supplied the material
Of all the railways finished and in course OF
construction, as well as for nearly all other
Industrial undertakings in the Argentine
Republic aud Uruguay
Our trade with all South American coun-
tries In the year ended June 80, 1885, in
cludcd a value OF $05, $50, ,956 In imports, aud
less than bali as much In exports, or S27,-
T34,s57. OF the imports, the larger part,