The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-02-02
TRADE WITH THE ARGENTINE RE-
PUBLIC

Those who are clamoring for an eX-
banded American export trade and those
who are in favor Of a ship subsidy to ac-
complish that end can both find food for
thought IN the condition of our trade
with the Argentine Republic and the his
tory of the attempt made to establish
line of steamships between the United
States and that enterprising republic
Since the days of James G. Blaine
there has been no consistent effort made
to secure or maintain trade with the
South American republics. The average
business man does not seem to realize
world OF trade. The Argentine Republic
is fast taking rank with the secondary
powers, but through a lack of communl-
cation We know but little of this grow
ing young giant. Few realize that Buenos
Ayres Is modern city-a world metrop-
oils with a population exceeding 100000.
This population consists Of Spanish. Ger
mar, English, French and a large and
growing number of Italians.
The exports of the republic for nine
months ending Sept 30. lSgO. amounted to
$122, 51S,0oo and the imports reached dur
ing the same time $S7, 46I 600 The flourish
ing condition of the trade OF the repub-
lie Is shown in the fact that. while the
imports decreased, the exports Increased
RI
This trade which naturally belongs TOT
the United States. is distributed as fol-
lows; United Kingdom. So 600 OOO Ger
man, sl25OO.OoO; Italy. Sll.GO0OO0; United
States. $saa0.oOO; France. $S.7Oo.OOO: Bel
GUM, S6,9OO0OO. and the balance scatter
ed
The imports from this country decreas-
ed 81. 4O0. 600 and those of England S2,G03.-
900. while Gcrmany's imports Increased
S2,5OOOOO and ItaIy's Sl,n0u.nO during the
same period This Indicated that there
is a screw loose somewhere. The falling
off is no doubt owing to the refusal OF
the senate 10 rahfy the pending reel
procity treaty.
The cause for our small trade with
the Argentine Republic lies without
doubt. in the lack of transportation 1t
is Impossible to control market unless
there is ample and certain means of
freight transporta ton. AS long rs the
shippers Of tho United STATES must reach
the markets of South America by way
Of Liverpool or other European ports.
it viii be Impossible to csta bltsh a pay
ing market for our goods
During the first administration of Pres
ident Cleveland the Argentine RepuhIic,
desiring closer trade relations with the
United States. and knowing this to be
impossible unless a regular line of steam
ers be established between the two coun-
tries, offered to contribute SiOO.gOO a year.
If the Quilted States government would
contribute a like amount, as d subsidy
to weekly steamship line between
Buenos Ayres and New York This Of
fer was declined by our government and
the opportunity to secure the trade Of
the greatest republic of South America
was lost. at least for time
This offer on the part of The South
American republic suggests tho true
theory Of ship subsidies The amounts
should be definite and he offered for
definite lines to definite ports The theo-
~ should be 10 invade new fields only,
the subsidy being given to enable the new
line to overcome the expense of an initial
service which Is always greater than the
income until a trade is established.
This system of subsidy makes the ship
owner and the traders partners in a nlu-
tual cnterDrise-the building up Of for
eign markets. 1t seems strange that
our senatorial wise men fail to recognize
the only principle on which a subsidy
can be Of benefit to the American peo-
pie.