The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-08-05

Friendship and Commerce..

In terms which have commanded
worldwide attention Secretary Roof a
act forth the political attitude OF the
United States toward its sister republics
in the Western Hemisphere. Just how
far this declaration may affect CONNER
cial intercourse with those countries 1t
Ia impossible to say. Friendship and
are not inevitably or neces-
sarily companions, but acquaintance and
Q mutual esteem which inspires con-
fdenoe are certainly valuable factors in
international commercial relations.
Should Mr.. RooT's announcement give
TO those factors the hoped for stimulus,
the commercial results will be important.
American purchases from those coun-
tries are very little affected by political
relations. Central and South America
produce merchandise and supplies needed
here and either not to be had elsewhere
Or to be had only in limited supply and
under less favorable circumstances The
United States must have their sugar,
coffee, hides, wool, rubber, fruits, dye
woods, gums, copper, cocoa, chemicals,
drugs, fbres, tobacco and spices. 1t
bought nearly $500, 900 900 worth Of such
goods from them last year. An increase
Of such purchases depends upon increase
in consuming power,
American sales to those countries are
clearly susceptible of enlargement as a
result Of better acquaintance and closer
political ties. In view Of the notable
expansion of American exports to Latin
America in recent years, fruitful effects
should spring from the new conditions
tablish. Ten years ago the sales of the
United States to Latin America amounted
TO about ST, 900, 900. In the next five
years they rose to $l10, OOO, 900. For the
fiscal year just closed they we're $780,
400, 900. This is about see, 600, 900 nor
than this country sold to a ten times
larger population In Asia and Oceania.
1t shows a business nearly trebled within
a decade. The merchandise repre-
scented by the account is in large part
the product Of factories and workshops.
Very little of it is raw material, and not
much Of it is foodstuffs But the twenty
republics bought from Europe nearly
three times as much Of the same kind Of
goods. They went to Europe for scores
of millions OF dollars worth Of cotton
goods. machinery, hardware and the
myriad devices and appliances needed
in the daily life of non-mannfacturing
communities.
Mr.. RooT's journey and his admirable
speech at Rio de Janeiro would be well
worth while even though no commercial
effect should follow. Mutual respect
and esteem count for much. Mr.. Roof
has given a splendid emphasis to the
sentimental and patriotic side. 1t re-
mains for our business men to cement
~the<political bonds by getting into closer
and more active commercial me
tions. 1t is useless to say that Ameri-
rams cannot meet the competition OF
Europe. They have mel it; and to-day
they hold a considerably larger share of
the trade of Latin America than they
held ten years ago,
Political and commercial relations with
the countries of Latin America will be
whatever our people see fit to make them.
The United States can win and hold
their friendship and their esteem; and
can also win and hold their trade. now
worth 500. OOO, 900 a year, and destined
soon to pass the billion dollar mark.