The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-09-14
COMMERCIAL DIPLOMATS BUSY
THE ~AMERICAN INVASION" REAL,
nUr SOMEWHAT ovEREsTIMATED.
Alliances Among Other Nations Likely
to Interfere with Our Trade
Colonial Plans.

goods sold just at this time, but in pro-
vision for the future and in making prep
aration for times of stress when money Is
scarce and competition reduces margins OF
profit to the minimum. The invasion OF
the foreign markets Of the world by
American products continues to be a ia
vorite topic for enthusiastic American
writer's and foreign alarmists. In the
meantime commercial alliances and reci-
procity treaties are occupying the time
and energies of those directing the des-
TIMES OF Americas rivals and Americas
best customers.
The American invasion is not to be I'M
derestimated. Ii has become real danger
to foreign producers. The growth of Amer
lean foreign trade is Of the wonders
Of the commercial world 1t is tangible.
powerful factor IN all markets. Two i'm
pO-tant facts must constantly be borne in
mind. however, in estimating its real and
Permanent strength First, the great vol
Of the trade IS due to the sale of food
staples to manufacturing peoples; second,
American goods. other than agricultural,
now sold alb cad are largely surplusages Of
home production, generally sold at lower
p.ices than al home or with a narrower
margin OF profit and in many instances
sc.d even at loss in the face of the fierce
competition encountered everywhere and
the Gnpreparedness of American shippers
10 comply with the peculiarities Of foreign
trade methods.
Cargoes OF American lumber are dumped
upon British markets with hurry-up orders
to sell and at times less is realized than
the cost of production at American mills.
American cattle have been brought to
Europe within the past two months and
sold for less than would have been realized
net on the Chicago market. To listen to
the statements of partly informed enthu-
siasts and to note the multiplicity Of Amer
lean signs and advertisements in London
one could easily believe that all English
men. their wives, their sons and their
daughters were wearing American shoes.
whereas. 1t is a cold fact that American
goods constitute less than 1 per cent. of
the boots and shoes used in the United
Kingdom.
ENGLAND'S TRADE is GOOD.
This l per cent. is a large trade, but 1t
does not mean. some people seem TO be-
leve. that the British manufacturer has
been driven from the field or that British
plants are idle. The fact of the matter is
that with the exception of agriculture and
domestic and foreign trade was never
larger. wages high. work so plentiful,
or. in fact. her entire people more general
ly prosperous than they are to-day.
Let there come slack in the present rush
of worldwide prosperity, few years OF
lad crops in the Western United States, as
has often been recorded in the past and is
probability of any decade of the near flu
ture. and matters would assume a strange
ly different aspect The consuming power of
the world has its ebb and flood tides.
Should an ebb tide follow the present flood
and that IL will is certain, the foreign trade
Of the United States will show a tremen-
dous decrease from present figures. The
small corn crop of 1891 is undoubtedly re-
sponsible for the decline of millions noted
during the past year compared with the
year before. II the crop of the current
year is as large as anticipated. the total
value of exports next year will probably
show a satisfactory gain.
This is merely an illustration of the real
character of the great foreign trade Of the
United States. At least 65 per cent of 1t
depends upon the productiveness of Ameri-
can farms. Considered frankly and fairly,
s the decline in exports from the United
states noted this year means merely a lack
OF surplus agricultural products to ship
away. 1t Is more alarming statistically
than in any other phase, for IL means no
loss of prestige
This Is the situation to-day but Develop
ments are promised for the future which
VIII put different face upon matters and
open I'D real dangers due to competition
and not to natural shortages. Should the
world reach an ebb tide in its consuming
power. which OF course would mean a con-
tracing domestic as well as foreign mar
ket. margins upon manufactured goods
would be narrowed. competition would he
fercer and more determined. and goods
which entered a foreign port under re-
duced tariff charges would have an advan-
tage difficult. II not impossible to over
come.
While the people OF the United States
are congratulating themselves, and with
good reason. upon their success abroad.
and with Characteristic disregard OF the
future are refusing TO make trade conces-
sions to their best customers. the latter are
by no means so Indifferent to what may
be accomplished by give-and-take policy.
Irritated and alarmed by American trade
aggression and inspired by the apparent
prospect OF universal peace and the ten
dency toward trade combinations the re-
ciprocal idea is now in high favor In all
other parts OF the world. The United
States. with her seventeen or more treaties
of trade and commercial friendship pigeon
holed by the Senate. stands aloof and ap-
parently deaf to the eager discussion Of
this topic all about. No further talk is
heard abroad of treaty with the United
States. for 1t seems to be accepted that I'M
til new point of view is reached by Amer
lean lawmakers advances would meet only
with rebuff and tentative agreements would
be abortive.
CANADA IS AMBITIOUS.
Canada the third largest customer OF the
United States. Is making good her word TO
attempt a great and independent place for
herself In the world. regardless OF her rela-
lions with the United States. not only in
the eyes OF England. but those OF all other