New-York tribune., 1898-01-25
TIME FOR UNCLE SAM TO ACT
TRADE WITH SOUTH AMERICAN CoUN-
TRIES SHOULD BE STIMULATED.
STEAMSHIP SUBSIDIES AND RECIPROCITY TKrA-
TIES THE MEANS TO ACCOMPLISH THE

DESIRED RESULTS
To the Editor Of The Tribune.
SIR: As YOU have already given mo space in
regard 10 Cuban matters IL has occurred 10 me
that perhaps you would permit me 10 extend my
s.ope and endeavor 70 present - your readers
some considerations of 4 purely commercial
character. respecting the vast regions comprs-
ing Central and South America which. COM
raerciaily belong to us. hut which our capital
lists and business men have as yet invaded TO a
very limited extent.
The question Of trade with these countries is
being al present forced upon our notice by the
fact that we have reached q point IN the devel-
opment OF our Industries when some further
cutlet for our enormous production has become
On imperative necessity. Shops are working on
.hor; hours that should, on the contrary be ex-
tending their operations. because their facili-
,jes .or production have already outgrown the
receiving capacity OF their markets II is clear
that We must either cease expanding our out
MT or find rev markets for our goods Which
shall il be
As regards South and Central America the
practical question is How can we get into
,hess Countries what can they do for US. ard
what can we do for them? Maps. history and
,tstistics show us that they embrace enormous
ritory possessing abundant resources IN endless
variety. particularly In those things which we
cannot produce. or al least not to equal ad-
VANTAGE. The population IS not only scanty, but
has little wealth in the way Of cash capital.
They have TO manufactures. They are vividly
alive 10 the convenience and comfort Of the
many things pertaining 10 modern life which
they Go not possess. They are ready 10 accept
Innovations. and strange to say, Go not always
consider their own way the best. Surely, these
are ideal conditions 10 attract the trade Of a
great manufacturing nation. We can supply
them with everything they want.
But the question is, How are they going 10
pay for it? They have the qu!d pro quo in the
shape OF things which we want. and have not
eot' but these things are 50 locked up in the
bowels Of the earth or az distant points in the
interior mat they cannot be readily got at.
Clearly. something is wanted 10 put these two
conditions in touch, 10 set going that vast piece
OF commercial machinery which, once started,
will forever thereafter continue in motion by its
own impetus. What is It that is wanting?
Lines of communication must be established.
mines opened, and plantations must be cult-
waited. The barriers OF nature must be unlocked
10 let the food Of trade flow in. All this calls
for capital But who are the capitalists who
will come 10 the front? We have none, arpar-
emily who see their way TO rsking money in
enterprises IN untrodden fields. But there is one
great capitalist n this country Of ours who has
. SYSTEMATICALLY kept out OF business, CON
tent 10 live on his income and let his children
(who support HIM scratch for themselves. He
has lots Of money and no end Of credit, but
prefers 10 keep his resources wrapped UP In
napkin. His name is Uncle sam.
We are too .rone 10 consider the Government"
as some impersonal monster, with Interests sep
arate from and even antascnistic 10 the citi-
zens OF the United States. The Government Is
simply ourselves and Il il should make an ex-
pend!ture or enter into an obligation looking 10
an increase Of the BUSINESS Of the Nation 1t
~~v1. ha hN NJ
making an advantageous investment OF our
own money. Such ar investment l am bold
70 say. would be the suhsdzing of lines Of ocean
transportation 10 South American ports. Don't
lei rs think that by so dong We would be- tax
ing the many for the benefit Of a few ship
1uwrers. II would render possible mercantile
Transactions which would bring wealth 70 all.
Next, Uncle sam should not only advance
a little money In this way (to be copiously re-
couped by an Increase OF taxable property but
ne must bring little influence 10 bear for the !
oereft OF his family-a little JustlAaole nepo- |
tism, in fact. He must initiate and ratfy ju-
dclous treaties OF reciprocity with many Of
fis neghbOrs as possible, giving and receiving
preferential rates OF duty Away off In the
dim future w may keep in view the vague
shadow OF vast commercial confederation or
BInd, embracing the whole Western Hem-
sphere; but Just now we want TO pursue eub
stance. and not SHADOW. in a word, Uncle Sam
must be 10 the citizens Of the United States
what John Bull always has been. always Is and
always will be 70 the natives Of the British
Isles. The secret Of Englands phenomenal
commercial progress has been not merely her
enormous cash capital and the fierce energy OF
her sons, but Il lies also. and perhaps princ-
pauy IN the fact that behind the British mer-
chant there has always been the British Gov
ern!acnt. Why cannot our Government back
Up or citizens in the same way, regarding
everything that advances the commercial inter-
ests = The individual as g. National enterprise? |
Has not the hour sounded when the United !
States Government should enter upon The grand |
tactics Of commercial policy in the common in !
'erests of the whole Nation and with the /
hearty approval of all?
An apparently minor mater Is now pending IN !
the COMMITTEE III Foreign Relations. hut which |
Is IN realty Of th" deepest import % the !0s- er-
!rc 90 cur t'-e'sn trade. I refer 10 the llll 70 |
incorporate The International American Bank |
Probably few realize ,he Importance Of banking |
facilities in carr, Ing on CUR south American |
trade hut thc present want ~ them viii scr!-
ously impede business even II every other ele-
men, q success were assured. The bill should |
be tavorably reported al once. L. ;. &.
Ian