The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-05-08
OUR SOUTH AMERICAN TRADE.

A treasury statement, issued a few days
ago, shows that 1898 was our banner year
for exports; that for every dollars worth
of goods which we bought in foreign coun-
tries. we sold to foreign countries two dol
lars worth OF our goods. The balance in
favor of the United States for the twelve
months in question was more than $500, OOO-
OO0-a figure of most noble and gratifying
proportions.
The most of our trade is done with Eu-
rope. During the past few years. and espe-
cially within the last two years, we have
made remarkable strides in pushing our
manufactures into European markets We
are now manufacturing locomotives, rails,
bridges, telephones, biyclces. motor car
riages, machinery, tools and even textile
fabrics, in competition with European man.
ufactories, and are selling them in mar
kets heretofore regarded as practically be-
longing 10 Europe. We have invaded the
Orient also to some extent with exports
of cotton goods to China and Japan, and
to enlarge our business transactions in that
quarter of the world
Meantime we have neglected TO a consid-
cradle extent a great and rich trade, which
it seems should belong to the United
States. We refer, of course, to the trade
of South America. Some years ago. when
Mr.. Blaine was Secretary of State, there
was a great show of booming trade with
South American countries through recip-
rocty. The furry was only temporary and
the matter is now practically forgotten.
The treasury's statistics show that, as a
matter of fact. there has been decline
in our trade with South America during
the past ten years. In 1890 we sold $Ss 1872
GAS worth of our products to our Southern
neighbors, while last year our total sales
We're 5000 600 less During this same pc
riod, while we have been losing, Germany
and England have been increasing their
trade to the South of us. Germany's in
crease approximates 80 per cent, while
that of England IS almost as much. Is il
possible that we can compete with Ger
many and England in Europe and Asia
but cannot compete with them on our own
continent2 That as hardly reasonable TO
suppose.
In all probability the reason we have not
heretofore done a great deal of business i'm
South America. and do not seem to be
making any especial efforts to cater to the
South American trade. is to be found in
the fact that we have been able to find
more profitable employment for our mon
ey. Sales in Europe. like those in this
country, are usually upon short time, if
not for spot cash. The seller. therefore. is
able TO turn his money over quickly. In
South America, the purchasers demand
long time ana low rates of interest. Ger
many and England have been in the habit
Of making such easy terms. and those who
enjoy them insist that others who would
share the trade shall do likewise The mer-
chants OF the United States have moi nm
to this time been willing TO do this. 1t
may be, however, that the time is an
preaching when our merchants will be sat
isfed with smaller annual returns from
their investments. When that time comes
we shall probably find them In the South
American field meeting German and Eng
lsh competition and gathering in the trade
--s-c-s
Senator Plat of New York saws he bas
no choice for speaker of the new House
just so he is a New York man" The