The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-04-08

that the establishment of our inde- structable integrity will insure our business advancement and prosperity. Such integrity will mean that whatev- CT benefits any part or section or our whole will prove of reflective benefit or advantage to the whole of us.
 At the afternoon session, Hon. Ben jamin Micou addressed the convention ca ''The South's Opportunity"
 MT. Micou said in part:
 If I can offer anything practical that can be taken advantage of to increase the trade of this city and it's vast tributary country with the Latin Americas, I will feel that I have con- tributed to this occasion. There Is la prevalent opinion among persons un- acquainted with the real conditions, that the South is slow. As to them it only need be said that they have looked from one point of view. The other side, they have not seen the dis advantages labored under. the difficult ties overcome, the fact that one sec tion's opportunity (and I have no criti- cism of any section for taking advan- tage of its opportunities) has not all ways been anothers.
 He showed that South American re- ceived nearly $32s.00o.000. of imports that did not come from United States. and exported to countries other than the CHiltQ SldttS SOOuS UT lHe Ndiuc of almost $462.000. .000,-that a most inconsiderable amount of the trade of South America was with this country and especially was this so, as to the trade in cotton goods and iron. He said a regular line of steamers Is be- ing established between Japan and South American ports. Japan, which has just given so signal an example of the practical side of warfare can be relied upon to be equally as practical in the affairs of peace. Where you find the Jap look out.-there is some thing doing. We cannot afford to neg lect a trade lying at our door, that is attracting the attention of this far off Nation.
 This is a transition period in our Commercial life. Since our war With Spain, the worlds map has changed. Recently there has been another war, short, terrific and decisive, terminat- ing in the peace at Portsmouth, that has probably done more than any war ever did to suddenly change existing conditions. With the changes that have taken place throughout the world we are inseparably connected whether we want to be or not, whether we ap- prove or disapprove. We can move along with our age, adapt ourselves to it, be part and parcel of 1t, or fall out and be trodden under. Our own ex- pansion and the expansion of the civi- lized world are accomplished facts, to be counted on with absolute certainty in any consideration of trade questions today. Not only in the United States but everywhere business has already extended it's limit, Different ventures gravitate to different centers. The money interests of London are better informed concerning, and have stakcd more in mining undertakings of our western country. than have the money interests in New York; while American capital, as to many undertakings, has become most potent abroad in unlock ed for quarters. Illustrating the far reaching influence of American enter prises, he cited that the Westinghouse Company had the contract to change the street car lines in St. Petersburg rom horse to electric power. That ferkes. who has just died had had the contract for the London subway and that the British Admiralty had opened the door to the use of American mater ials and appliances in British ships.
 He said. old barriers have given away commerce is more unrestrained. and is cutting for itself new 'channels, The movement is world wide Manufac turers are seeking foreign markets, and the reciprocity that opens them is the key to commercial success. Commer- cial supremacy abroad would seem to be the natural and inevitable destiny of America. Markets abroad are be.