Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-11-11
NEW WORLDS RESOURCES
Commercial Directory Of the American
Republics.
Presentation Of the First Volume tS
the President, With Appropriate
Remarks by Secretary Sherman.

cry of the American Republics, which has
just been issued by Director Smith of the
bureau Of American republics, was today
placed in President McKnnleys hands by a
committee from the bureau, consisting of
Secretary Sherman, president ex-officio
Senior Romero, the Mexican minister, and
Senior Garcia Meron, the Argentine minis
ter.
Secretary Sherman, in presenting the
directory, said:
Secretary shcrman's Remarks.
'Mr. President: Representing the execu-
tive committee of the bureau of American
republics, I hand you the first volume of
the Commercial Directory Of the American
Republics, a work of such vast pra, teal
Importance to the commerce of our coun-
try as to be well worthy that we should
come in a body to present 1t to you.
Upon looking through its pages, you will
quickly discern its far-reaching value as
factor In disseminating generally informa-
ton respecting the natural resources, the
peculiar commercial activities the varying
occupations of their Industries and the
latent capabilities of the countries of the
western hemisphere. Such a work, it is be-
lieved. has never before been collated and
published.
with the fullest confidence that this
handsome volume, with its wealth of data
so often sought for unavailingly by bust
| ness men, will meet with your hearty ap
prevail have the honor OF rendering this
specially bound copy for your examination,
with Director Smiths letter of transmit
| tall"
The President made suitable response.
complimenting the officers of the bureau on
| the creditable character of their work.
Mr.. JOS. p. Smith, director of the bureau,
has written letter to the President, ex-
planatory of the condition and purposes OF
the bureau, in the course of which he says:
Director Smiths Letter.
at is not for me to discuss the great
questions and policies of your administra-
ton, but finding myself at the head of an
international bureau, and the only one ever
created by a congress of the American re-
publics, confess to great interest in them.
Four great achievements, it has seemed to
me, your administration can properly I'M
dertake and successfully accomplish i'll its
relations with the republics of Central and
South America, viz:
Il. The great extension of our trade with
them by reciprocal agreements, by the ap-
pointment of special trade commissioners
to visit them and present the advantages
this country above all others offers to them,
and by the study by our merchants ana
manufacturers of the data contained in the
Commercial Directory as to their industries
and commerce. the transportation facilities,
tariff and customs regulations. trade
usages. patents and copyrights commercial
licenses, laws relating to foreigners and
their naturalization, passport regula tons,
| currency and banking. and weights and
measures.
so. The building of the Nicaraguan canal,
on terms that will secure American con-
troll, with the safeguard of neutrality IN
time of war. insuring its unobstructed
to the commerce of the world.
SO. The completion Of the American In
| tercontiiental railway. SO that at the dawn
of another century it will be easy. COM
paratively, to take a through car from
Washington to Buenos Ayres or Rio de
Janeiro it is today to ride without
change from Washington to the City of
Mexico. But few years ago. even in the
time of President Grant, the latter trip
Was considered next to an impossibility.
Today the capitals of South America are
all within reach by the cons -uction of
! links of few hundred miles railroad
over routes tfat have been gu. Seyed and
pronounced feasible In point of construction
and not excessive in cost.
Il. The assembling at Washington in
1890 of another great American interna-
t,onal conference. or Pan-American con-
gress, Of delegates from all of the Ameri-
can republics. The work of the last
ference has proven of incalculable benefit,
few events of the present century having
reflected more credit upon the governments
participating in it. What an suspicious
opening of the twentieth century would
another such great representative gather
ing be!
I'm all these grand Objects the bureau
of the American republics can play a
most useful and important part. 1t is the
organ of not merely one government, bur
of all; and my brief official service has
already convinced me- in the words of the
distinguished Senator Allison of Iowa, that
the possibilities of good in your Chis)
bureau illimitable.'
Such book is the proper complement
of the present work, and would prove CT
untold value in extending our foreign
trade. A work of sucn magnitude can
only be undertaken, with the certain as
surance CT success, through the good sense
and patriotism of the United States Con-
gress, but it would be warmly welcomed
by all the nineteen republics of the Amer
lean International Union, and could not
fail to result in an increase Of our foreign
trade far beyond any consideration of the
expense or trouble of the undertaking.