New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-08-19
SELECTIONS FROM THE MAIL.
TRADE WITH SOUTH AMERICA.
EX.MAYoR GRACE DIsAGREEs WITH THE DEMO

EX.MAYoR GRACE DIsAGREEs WITH THE DEMO
CRATIC THEORISTS.
TO the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: II IS surprising that Republican papers shouln
not have been quicker in thanking ex-Mayor Grace
for the unexpected support he has Just given 30 the
cause Of intelligent Protcction-a support which is
of mean Importance, coming from man who
knows what he IS talking about and whose mercantile
firm deals almost exclusively with South Anne cah
countries. Mr. Grace is pillar OF Democracy Du'
he is also matterof-fact and candid man. anu ITO
could not support the unfounded charge that II our
South American business is not prosperous ms j.
due to protection system. Mr.. Grace hh'"s
better, He remembers that, Notwithstanding the IL
legged drawbacks of this system he has driven mag
nifccnt business with the nelghbors south OF u.s. ai
built up at the time his large wealth ana great
reputation. How Is thal Because protection OF
free trade had, indeed little to do in the matter an"
because mercantile depended the personal
qualities OF the merchants and their understanding
Of the situation.
Mr.. Grace explains the latter as follows, IN an IN
terview published on Monday by The Herald"
Speaking OF the decided influence which the Exposition
Of 1892 will exercise South American trade
and while mentioning that It would be desirable II
the South American tariffs could be reduced D. re-
ciprocity trcaties,7 the ex-MayOr says:
One Of the things that it would be necessary ior
US to do is 70 teach the South American coun'reSi
nothing could more greatly facilitate tralc thal a
deliberate effort the part OF American mere lai's
10 accustom South American money markets 10 tne
Of drafts NewY )rk bankers. Our merchants
themselves very much to blame, In view OF inc
fact that they do not sufficiently understand I'M
wants and reQu remcns OF foreign countries, tnclr
habits, customs trade prejudices, etc. nearly so wen
the Germans and the English do. and therefore
do not make their goods sufficiently in conformity
with the demands Of the South American markets.
One OF the why the American merchants
do not do so large a volume OF trade with S"uth
America as English and Germans Is beca $50 we ar
more conservative in the extension Of credits
When the South Americans themselves learn mat
all their markets would DO healthier and CONTINUE
Ously in stronger position il they We're not thnW-
selves applicants for long credits on the smalcs
possible margins. the greater the inducement VIII
be for Americans. who always find fairly cool
for their money at home to put II out In these
foreign countries. &c mans aud English who have
we, of course rake longer risks.
II protc 'tion the deadly enemy Of any enter
prise, people could not, says Mr. Grace, " a.
ways find fairly good for their money at homc.'
They would put ID in foreign countries Surely
the United States will increase ITS commercial In
tercourse especially with the countries south OF u.s.
SIN II will not he account OF the prevalence OF
frce-trade doctrines. but when merchants will
know the commercial requirements of this special
question, pointed out to them by eXAlayor Grace.
who has boldly and practically Invested It from the
Ore'ical politics. IL. L. G..
New York, Aug. -, 1889.