The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1891-12-04
SURELY COMING.
4 Vast Trade With South
American Republics.
A Remarkable Showing Made
the First Year.

Beneficial Results OF the international
American Conference in Washington
Two Years Ago-Twenty-Eight Bulle-
tins Issued by the Bureau of American
Republics.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 1.-Two years ago
the international American conference
was in session in this city. There were
delegates present from the republics of
South and Central America and from
the then empire of Brazil. People un-
familiar with the South American re-
publics and IMMERSED in diplomacy were
unable to understand how it could be
possible that anything tangible in the
way of increasing American trade could
be expected from gathering of this
kind in the absence of legislative func-
tons on the part of the delegates as
sembled. But the results of that con-
ference and the scheme which followe
it are already apparent in the increased
trade between the United States and
our southern neighbors.
In March, 1890, the members of the
conference adopted resolution looking
to the establishment of an agency here
w
information which should be useful to
the different countries represented. 1t
was decided that the expense of this
agency, which should not exceed $36,
600 annually, should be borne by the
eighteen countries represented in such
proportions "a their commercial import
ance would make equitable and just.
In accordance with this resolution the
bureau of American republics was pro-
vided for by the last congress, and a
year ago this bureau was organized by
Secretary Blaine with Mr.. William E.
Curtis, formerly correspondent of the
Chicago News, as chief.
A Good Man at the Head.
Secretary Blaine was fortunate indeed
in the selection Of chief officer for this
important new bureau. Mr.. CJ&tis was
one of the special commissioners sent to
South Ame4 lea by President Arthur,
and as such drew up the report which
was submitted to congress during the
first year of President Cleveland's term.
He is the author Of an interesting vol
ume, which has been greatly commend
Spanish America" He has written nu-
merous magazine articles upon kindred
topics, and above all has the training OF
lifetime in gathering. information to
aid him in his present important work.
Twemty-Eight BulIetins-
During the first year of its existence
the bureau of American republics has
published twenty-eight bulletins de-
signed for the use of business men who
desire to extend their trade into Spanish
America. These bulletins embrace
handbooks Of several of the southern
republics, which have been found IN
valuable, not only to business men, but
to teachers and scholars in the public
schools. But perhaps the most useful
publications of the bureau up to the
present time are the pamphlet Com
mercial Directories" Of Brazil, Vene-
zuela, Colombia, Peru, Chill, Mexico,
Bolivia, EcuaIor, Paraguay and Uru-
quay which have been published within
the past three months.
Tables of coinage, weights and meas
ures and tables Of import duties of each
of the countries have also been published,
or are in press, and it is the intention of
the bureau to publish from time to time
other data of value to business houses
engaged in commerce with Spanish
America.
One effect of the publications of the
bureau has been the awakening Of
widespread interest In all South Ameri-
can matters throughout the entire coun-
try. .
Inquiries from manufacturers and
dealers in all conceivable classes of goods
are constantly pouring into the office,
and already Mr.. Curtis points out that
the export trade between this country
and the Latin-American nations has
been materially enhanced and that the
passenger list of outgoing steamers show
that American merchants are sending
agents to drum" up the South Ameri-
can trade, which has generally been let
to German and English houses in the
past.
Mails.