The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-01-16
The Direc, 1raoe Convention.


The direct trade convention at Atlanta
was not quite so large es it was thought it
would be. There were very few present
| from states other than Georgia. There was
manifested, however, a very strong seati-
rnent in favor Of making an earnest effort
to bring about direct trade between the
south and Europe, and If the members of the
convention had all been millionaires it is
probS5le that sufficient money would have
been subscribed at once to establish line
OF steamships between a South Atlantic
port and Liverpool.
The fact was forcibly brought home 70
the convention by Mr.. Gillebrand, Of Lon
don, who represents capitalists Of that city,
that money, and a gooi deal Of it. is neces-
sary to make the direct trade project a
success. He expressed, on behalf Of those
whom he represented, a willingness to
inaugurate direct trade provided he
was given guarantee for seven years Of
a profit of per cent per annum on
the amount invested in the undertaking.
He spoke Of an investment Of 81, 500, 000
which meant, of course, that for seven
years Sl25,000 q year would have to be
given TO a company that would agree to
establish line of steamers between South
Atlantic port and Liverpool, and there
would be only'two steamers a month leaving
the South Atlantic port. In seven years
nearly 100000 would be expended without
any assurance that direct trade would be
success at the end of that period.
Col Livingston, a member of the conven-
ton, suggested that it was a question where
the 5 per cent. guarantee was to be OBJ
tai ed. He thought that the alliances, agri-
cultural societies and different cities would
provide it. Perhaps they would, but be-
fore doing 50 they would want to know to
what extent they would be benefited. This
city, for instance, would in ali probability
subscribe literally if it should be made the
terminal Of the projected steamship line in
this country, but would it subscribe any
thing if some other city were made the ter
minall
The alliances are interested In promoting
direct trade. Indeed, they are the most
active agents in this direct trade move
ment. How would a steamship line that
provided only two steamers month from
a southern port benefit theml 1t would not
carry much, if any, more than one
twentieth of the cotton received at Sayan-
nah, and, therefore, could not be helpful TO
the great majority of the cotton growers.
The MORNING NEWS is not opposed to the
direct trade project. IL favors it, and pro-
poses to do all it can TO advance it and make
it success. There are great obstacles in
the way Of it, however, and the MORNING
NEWS wishes the people to understand the
situation exactly as it is. II an experiment
in direct trade were to be made between a
South Atlantic port and Europe
Savannah would, of course, be
that port, because it has far
gre alter advantages than any other. 1t not
only has the wealth to establish importing
houses, but Its railroad systems extend to
nearly all parts of the outh aud west. Mr.
Vanlandingham, who visited all the south
Atlantic ports recently, as a commissioner
of Kansas City, with the view of finding
out which possessed the greatest advantages
for trade with Europe, unhesitatingly re-
ported in favor Of Savannah. 1t is APP
parent, therefore, that Savannah has every
reason to encourage the direct trade prof.
ect. And she does encourage it, but she
understands it will require great deal of
money and years of earnest work to make
1t a success.