The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-10-17
TELLS OF ROOTS
GREAT WORK IN
SOUTH AMERICA

Boston. Oct. 17.-An earnest plea for
closer commercial relations with South
America was made by John Barrett, min.
lister TO Colombia. before the Merchants
Mr.. Barrett said: South America
stands out today in a new light. The re-
cent extraordinary mission of Secretary
Root should awaken the United States TO
a new appreciation OF her sister republics.
Mr.. Roots admirable. tactful. forceful
and sincere speeches everywhere won the
hearty applause OF his Latin audiences.
Had he been King OF England, or even
President Roosevelt himself, they could
not have done more for him. In the
United States we have never given any
foreigner a reception to compare with
that which all South America prepared
for Mr.. Root.
without exaggeration II can be said
that secretary Roots mission 10 south
influences combined TO develop a proper
understanding OF each other by North
and South America In short, his work.
has undoubtedly inaugurated new era in
our Latin-American friendship and COM
merce. II should cause our manufactur-
ers and merchants to study anew the
field and in turn cause the business nter-
ests Of Latin-America 10 seek clos-r re-
lations with our markets.
South America Is on the verge Of
mighty, industrial mining and agricul-
perience I'm the near future a material
progress that will rival that Of the United
States Already parts OF South America
are going ahead with astonishing rapid
ity. We, however. in the United States
are so absorbed within ourselves that we
have not kept track Of the onward steps
of our Southern neighbors. Not so. on
the other hand. with Europe.
While we have been sleeping, as II
were the capitalists and merchants OF
Europe have been carefully exploiting and
studying South America. II Is now esti-
mated that more foreign money will be
invested in South America during the
next ten years than during the past so
years.
''Latin-Amerlcan today. from Mexico TO
Argentina, can boast OF an annual for
eign commerce. exports and imports, OF
approximately $500 100000. while exports
exceed imports almost In the proportion
or 10 g. A careful study OF the imports
of South America from Europe proves
that the United States could supply the
largest part of them at successfully COM
petitive prices"
In answer to the question What Is the
matter?" Mr.. Barrett said:
Language ignorance is barrier The
patronizng spirit OF North Americans
Ia too often shown In dealing with Latin
Americans. The lack OF hrst-class pas
senger and mail steamship service must
also be emphasized in marked contrast
with the ease OF communication with
Europe and Latin America"
Mr.. Barrett advocated the sending OF
Spanish and French-speaking representa-
tives or travelling statesmen by the manu-
facturers I'm tho United States; the adap-
tation OF articles 10 suit tho local Latin
American demand: the giving OF credit TO
reliable purchasers. as Is done by Euro
pean shippers, instead OF always demand
ing payment In advance or on shipping the
the conSgnments; the opening OF North
American banks or branches thereof, in
the prfnxipal cities OF South Arnerfca
the early building OF Pan-American rail-
way connections with North, Central and
South Amerca, and the investment OF
South America, and the investment OF
sources. mines and industries, In the
more progressive countries OF South
America. as means for developing more
friendly relations.