St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-06-24
WAKE UP. MIR. BLAINE.

1t was supposed that when Secretary
BLAINE came to the head of the state
department he would make it special
study and endeavor to improve our
trade relations with the South Amerl-
can states; but up to this time we are
without evidence that Mr.. BLAINE has
ever given the subject consideration.
Possibly his time has been so entirely
engrossed in giving a hearing to office
seekers that he has not yet found an
opportunity to give attention to state
matters of real Importance beyond the
settlement of the Samoan difficulty. In
connection, however, with this Samoan
matter, it ought to have suggested itself
to Secretary BLAINE that, in her effort
to reach out for foreign possessions,
Germany is getting foothold in South
America that is an actual menace to the
interests of this country. 1t is fact
for which there is no rational eXplana-
ton that both Germany and Great Brit
ain have been encroaching upon our
South American trade within the last
few years to such an extent as to leave
us in an almost dependent condition.
To illustrate we will take the figures
in regard to trade with Brazil,
the largest and most important OF the
South American states. which make
bad showing for this country. The only
complete statistics in detail relating to
the trade of the United States with
the countries south of us are those OF
the bureau of statistics for 1887, which
show that during that year we bought
of Brazil So, 1855. 591, and sold to her
IS. 1877, 704, making the balance of trade
against us for that year nearly $40, 000.-
900. 1t is known that for the year 1888
the figures were still less compliment
airy to us, and that the prospect is for a
continued falling Off. The principal
products that we buy of Brazil are
coffee, rubber, sugar and hides articles
that we must have, and, so far as coffee
and rubber are concerned, we cannot
get elsewhere, because the worlds sup
ply outside of Brazil is not sufficient to
go around. The principal products of
this country sold to Brazil are bread
stuffS, and for these we are now i'll a
fair way Of losing Brazil for market.
The Argentine Republic is rap
idly becoming competitor of
the United States in the produc-
ton of breadstuffs, for wheat and
corn can be grown there cheaper than
here i'll the Northwest. And then,
owing to the difference in freight
charges, their cereals can be laid down
cheaper in the Liverpool market than
our Western products. There is diff
ference of from 50 to 81 per ton OH rates
from the mouth OF the Plata river to
same market, and in favor of the
former. Extensive milling plants are
now being established at Rio de Janeiro,
and as it is only four days steaming
from Montevideo to Rio, the supply of
wheat ior these mills will naturally
come from the River Plata.
1t is apparent from these facts anv
figures that if the United States wishes
to improve it's trade relations with
South America it is important that we
should devise some means by which
we can introduce our manufactured
products. That is what Germany and
Great Britain have been doing. and the
statistics tell the tale of success. While
Brazil only bought a fraction over
sS,0O0,O00 worth of our products during
the year 1887, she bought during the
same year nearly $44,000,000 worth of
stuff from Germany and Great Britain,
and exported to those countries less
than $4,000, 900, thus showing balance
of trade in their favor of S6,000,000.
1t does seem that it is about time that
our government were giving some atten-
ton to this matter. We are content to
sit down and boast of our purpose to
maintain the MONROE doctrine, and yet
at the same time our most formidable
European rivals ale taking the trade
and commerce which naturally belongs
to us right from under our very nose.
The little interests we have at Samoa and
in Hayti are utterly Insignificant, COM
pared with the value of our trade relations
with South America. Yet we are kick
ing up great hubbub about the former,
while the latter receive no attention
whatever. The advantages that God has
given us as nation are being wasted,
and we are permitting the nations of
the old world to enjoy what was de-
signed for our use.