The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-10-28
WATCHING THE
UNITED STATES
America and Europe Looked to
for Inventions.
INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS
Roberts Thinks it Matter of Reproach
That This Country and Argen-
tine Republic Do Not Keep
in Better Touch

Philadelphia, October 27.-roday's session
of the International Commercial congress
was devoted to the discussion of Pan
American subjects. The attendance was
better than that of any day since the open
ing of the congress, and several important
papers were read.
H. Y. Peabody, of the Boston chamber of
commerce, presided The first speaker was
Colonel r. S. Roberts, delegate from Bue-
nos Ayres, who read paper on the condi-
tions existing in the Argentine Republic.
Mr.. Roberts said that the people of the Ar
gentine Republic were constantly watchful
of the United States and Europe for inven-
tons and improvements, which they were
quick to utilize. 1t is a serious thought
among the people of the Republic, he said
as to how the volume of Argentine exports
is to be increased. He considered it a mat
ter of reproach that the United States and
the Argentine Republic knew 50 little of
each ctl1er Referring ITO the tariff, Mr..
Roberts said the protective system in vogue
in the United States was receiving a fair
trial.
Antonio e. Dolfno, consul-general of
Venezuela. spoke briefly of the commercial
conditions of the country. He called spe-
cial attention to the facilities offered by
Venezuela fer TIE great packing industries
of 'Jhe United States.
When the congress reassombled Alfonzo
Rutz, of Brazil, presented data of the
products of Brazil. OF the II, 1900 sacks
of coffee, which he said represented the
eaa.ma,ed crops of the world for 1898,
Brazil produced II ,000, 000
TIE price of coffee, however, has de-
elined year by year to such an extent that
the planters now get very little profit.
This fact is attributed to over-production,
but the speaker placed the blame first on
speculation and second upon the too high
import duties which, in some European
countries, makes it enormously dear and
limits the consumption The United States
imports from Brazil amount to s54 10000
annually and its exports to that country
ito only $4,000 GOO. The difference of $4,000
900 between the exports and imports be-
tween Brazil and the United States, Mr..
Ruitz said should stimulate the efforts in
the United States to Introduce their goods
into the Brazilian markets. To do so sue
cessfully he said there should be an estab-
senting only American interests and an
American bank in Brazil through which
business could be transacted.
u. d. Eddy of New York, followed with
an argumeps in favor of large combinations
commercially known as trusts
study of the exports from the United
States for recent years, he said, would show
taat their great growth is due to the
ability of the larger units doing a like bust
ness in other countries. In conclusion he
said:
'If the export of American goods is to
continue TO increase, 1T will be necessary
to still further perfect our organizations
for production and transportation his
can only be done in other fields as mas been
done in the fields of raflw1y transporta-
ticn by a series of combinations and con-
Solicitations. Those larger units Involve the
organization of combinations which are to-
DAY called trusts. Sucll are condemned as
restraint to trade, yet if lie facts before
stated are correct, instead of restraining
trade they stimulate IT.
W. E. Curtis, commissioner Of the Pan-
American exposition, expressed his belief
in great future trade between the United
States and South America. He had just
returned from South America. He said
there was a remarkable change in trade
conditions and that Ihe had found shat
ltle Germns are monopoli1tng nearly all
of it.
Hon. w. I. Buchanan, United States min
lister to the Argentine Republic, spoke of
the great changes which have occurred in
recent years in the productive character
and capacity of several of the South Amer
lean republics, and ne believed these
changes Will tend to increase the commerce
between South America and dle United
States.