Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-13
TRADE WITH SOUTH.
Commerce Between the United States
and Latin America

Arthur W. Calhoun In Cent Per Cent.
It Is manifestly essential to the general
well-being and progress of the American
continents that friendly relations between
the various nations of this hemisphere
should be wisely established and fostered.
Intelligent cooperation so far as may be
found mutually profitable is undoubtedly
desirable, and nowhere is this more true
than in the realm Of commerce The truth
of these propositions has long been recog-
nized and the American republics are now
working together in a careful and thorough
manner, through the bureau of the Ameri-
can republics, at Washington, for the pur-
pose of spreading knowledge Of the re-
sources. laws, history and geography of the
several countries, especially such informa-
ton as may further commerce with one an
other
Any study of Latin-America will impress
the investigator with the fact that the re-
pubcs included under that name are in
very backward stage of development. Our
American neighbors will get outside assist
ance in their development If this is not
given by the people of the United States, 1t
will come from Europe In Latin-America
there lies open broad field for American
progressiVeuess.
The countries of Latin-America are vastly
wealthy. Most of the countries are great
treasure houses of mineral wealth Mexico
the wealthy mining countries of the world.
The variety of minerals produced In Latin
America is great.
The agricultural possibilities are just as
great. The products range from the hard
er cereals of the temperate zones TO the
tropical plants of the equatorial climates.
These great resources also are waiting to
be developed by foreign capital Foreign
agricultural machinery Is in demand. In
the agricultural development of these coun-
tries both American machinery and Amer
lean capital should have first place.
1t has been prophesied that in a few
years agriculture in Mexico will yield
greater profits than her mines of silver
and gold and her smelters combined" The
United States government publishes a long
list of "haciendas, ranches and farms in
Mexico owned by Americans; In this list
are over fifty establishments devoted in
whole or in part to the interests of rubber
culture
The predominant place occupied by the
United States in Mexican commerce and
by American capital in Mexican develop
ment is especially noteworthy. AS we have
already seem Mexican commerce with the
United States Is greater than with all 9TH
er countries combined, and it is admitted
abroad that the United States has strong
grip on Mexican trade. There are hun
dreds OF millions of American capital in
vested in Mexico. Two years ago 1t was
stated that so per cent of the capital of
Mexican railroads was American capital.
There are American signs at every turn,
American names, American goods Ameri-
can customs, American language, and the
Americans" We have been getting more
trade In Mexico by adapting goods to re-
aurements, and sending out Spanish circu-
lars and Spanish-speaking statesmen. but IL
the plans of President Diaz materialize
such a course will. In another generation,
scarcely be necessary. English is COM
pulsory study in the public schools, and II
is Intended that the rising generation shall
have two languages. 1t Is not hard for an
enthusiastic writer to find ground for hints
to the effect that Mexieos will one day be
assimalated, but whether or not this ever
happens, the time should come when po-
ltical barriers will no longer he allowed
to hinder in the slightest the working of
economic forces for the good of both aoun-
ri