The Minneapolis journal., 1906-11-21
Root on South American Trade,


means of reviving and enlarging our
merchant marine received great i'm
petus from Secretary Roots speech in
Kansas City last evening. Having be-
fore him in that commercial congress
representatives of the business inter
ests from all parts Of the country as
we'll as many men prominent in public
life, and coming from his own recent ex-
tensive South American trip thoroly in
formed as to the situation, MIR. Root g
plea for government aid in the estab-
hshment of direct steamship lines be-
tween United States and South Amer
lean ports is the strongest and doubtless
the most effective argument in that be-
half yet made.
His speech substantially in full is
published in our columns today, and
while it occupies considerable space, we
feel sure that it will interest every
business man and hold his attention
from the beginning to the end if he
| will give it consideration. It is one of
the most important addresses uttered
| in this country for long time, judged
from the standpoint Of it's probable in
| fiuence both commercially and polit-
ically.
It begins to be apparent that Mr..
| Roosevelt intends that one Of the nota-
BILE things accomplished, or at least
| White House shall be new policy Of
closer commercial and political rela-
tions with South America. The first
important step in that direction was
the dispatching Of his secretary of state
on the South American tour which he
has recently completed. A man Of such
eminent ability and consummate tact
could not address himself to the bust
ness of laying foundations for closer
relations with the Independent republics
of South America without making an
impression upon those people.
There is ample evidence that such
has been the result, but equally i'm
portant is it to arouse our own people
to full appreciation Of the opportuni-
ties for the expansion Of American
trade which the growing markets Of
South America afford. And this is the
matter to which Secretary Root ad-
dresses the larger part of his remarks.
What he has to say will appeal to the
citizens Of the United States both from
the standpoint Of civic pride and COM
mercial interest. The thought of clos
er political and social relations with
| the peoples Of the South American re-
publics, who are arriving now at the
period Of political stability and devel-
opment which invites both capital and
immigration, is attractive. There is
satisfaction in contemplating the per-
manent establishment Of our own in
stitutions thruout the entire American
continent and in the adoption by our
sister republics Of an attitude Of friend
ment. This, Mr.. Root assures us, is
coming to pass. ~ ...rp..-,.e- ,.s.s
Along with 1t is developing a field of
commercial opportunity such as the
world Of commerce and trade has rarely
enjoyed and which, Mr.. Root tells us,
is not inferior in Importance or extent
to that of the orient while much nearer
to our hand and therefore quite natur-
ally proper field for our exploitation.
The secretary has wise counsel for
business men who may seek to secure
South American tradeAand settles upon
the policy of ship subsidy as absolutely
essential if we are to make any head
way in that direction.
His argument in favor Of ship sub
sidy is by eliminating every other plan
Of promoting our merchant marine as
inexpedient and impracticable. A
marked development In congress of
sentiment favorable to the pending
ship subsidy bill may be anticipated as
a result Of the secretary's very inter
esting and able address.
r n