New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-08-09
THE INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS.

The New-York Board Of Trade has adopted
timely measures for interesting its members in
the work of the approaching International
American Congress. 1t was invited by Secre-
taIy Blaine to offer suggestions regarding the
commercial and industrial questions which are
to be discussed by thai body. A special com
mittee has presented an instructive report eX-
pressing hearty approval Of the international
conference, and clearly indicating the advan-
tages to be derived by the United States from
active participation in the trade of South and
Central America. The views of prominent mem
berS Of the Board are to be aScenained on the
special questions included in the invitations to
various States on this continent, and specific
information is to be sent to the State Depart
ment by the committee in a formal report.
Among the topics to be considered by tho
International Congress in October one is of
superior Importance in its bearings upon the
material interests Of the United States. This
is the establishment Of regular and frequent
communication between the ports Of this con-
tinent. The United States receives from Brazil
and other South American countries an enor-
nous quantity of merchandise, and exports in
return only comparatively small amount. As
the committee of the Board Of Trade exhibits
the t! ade statistics, France, England and Ger
many aIe selling to those counties 500, 000,
600 annually, whereas the United States, while
a large purchaser of coffee, hides, sugar and
raw materials, only sells $4,000, 900.
The explanation Of this disparity of imports
received in those countries from the United
States in comparison with the European mar
.. Il L
tons rapid development of our export
trade would inevitably follow the establish
ment Of a series Of steamship lines from New
York, Baltimore, New-Orleans and other ports
to Brazil, the Argentine Republic and other
South American countries. When the Board
of Trade declares that the most direct, rapid
and prompt means Of transit must be given to
our merchants to Central and South America,
it outlines a comprehensive policy which the
National Administration and Congress ought
to act upon after the adjournment of the APP
preaching conference. The delegates to that
conference may pass resolutions in favor of d
system of communications that will render the
Governments of this continent less dependent
upon Europe, and bring them into closer Ie-
lations with one another; but steamship lines
cannot be established in that way. The United
States Government must offer substantial aid
TO such projects if there is to be any marked
development of American commerce with con-
tnental nations.
With the adoption of a system of steamship
and mail subsidies similar to that employed by
England, Germany, France and Italy, com
munications with South and Central America
will be reOpened, and great extension Of
American commerce will be the immediate and
permanent result. With this fundamental con
dition of progress supplied, the relations of
continental nations will become more intimate
and their influence upon one another more
beneficial and helpful. The formation of an
American customs union, the establishment OF
uniform customs relations, weights and meas
ures, the adoption Of a common silver coin, and
the formulation Of an arbitration scheme for
the peaceable settlement of international dis
putes are most commendable features of the
programme of the approaching conference. Let
active measures be taken for the restoration of
the American commercial marine, and the
United States will be put in a position where ID
can exert its influence with signal success in all
these directions. Leadership in the councils
of Governments on this continent can only be
maintained by nation which completes direct
ly with European rivals for the commerce OF