The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1908-12-24

articles which these countries i'm
port in large quantities, and which
can advantag geously be produced IN
the Southern States may be enumer-
ated agricultural implements, all
kinds OF vehicles, locomotives, cars,
machinery, tools, steel rails, build
rse' hardware, stoves, cotton, textiles,
vegetable oils, and furniture.
While it is a fact that the I'M
ports into the Latin-American coun-
tries consist almost entirely OF man
ufactured articles, it does not fol-
low that Southern manufacturers
would be the only ones benefited by
an increase in exports from our Sec
ton to those countries. On the con-
trary, the benefits would be shared
by all our people. For instance, II
an ablishment in one of our
southern towns engaged in the man
u1acture of stoves or furniture can
Duild up an export trade to Mexico
or one of the Central or South Am
erican countries, it means that it
will give employment to more men
who will buy more goods from the
local retail merchants and who will
give to the farmer larger home
market for his products.
1t is to the interest, not only of
the South Atlantic and Gulf ports,
but of our inland communities as
we'll, that our Latin-American trade
both import and export should
flow through Southern ports. A
large proportion of the commodi-
ties which the United States imports
from Latin-America are consumed
in the South. Southern manufactur-
ers can supply large proportion Of
the commodities which the Latin
American countries buy abroad. 1t
would, therefore, be to the advan-
tage of all concerned if coffee, nj
trates, tropical fruits, mahogany
timber, rubber, and other products
of Central and South America and
the West Indies, could be brought
into Southern ports in ships which
would return laden with the pro-
ducts of Southern manufacturing es-
tablishments. For this reason l be-
lieve that, in seeking to develop this
Latin-American trade, the mer-
chants and manufacturers, not only
of our seaboard cities but of the in
terror as we'll, and Southern trans
portation lines should all cooperate,
as far as practicable, in systematic
efforts to guide both imports and ex-
ports through Southern ports.
In, view of the present Importance
of the Latin-American trade and its
future possibilities, l believe that
the people of our section of the
United States may well give it in
creased attention. The Federal gov
ernment, through the publications of
the Bureau of Manufacturers, is con-
stantly giving valuable information
about trade opportunities in the Lat
in-American countries, the special
needs of their markets, and the best
methods of conducting business with
them. The International Bureau of
American Republic, to the support
of which the United States is the
largest contributor, is devoted ex-
clusively to the work of drawing the
republics of North and South Ameri-
ca into closer social and commercial
relations. AS a result of suggestions
made to him by citizens of the
South, Hon. John Barrett, director
of this bureau, is now contemplating
trip through the Southern tSates
for the purpose Of delivering a series
of addresses on the general subject
of trade with the countries south Of
the Rio Grande, with special refer
ence to the interest of the South in
that trade. These addresses will
doubtless be of great practical value
to our section.
If, however, we are to obtain the
full benefit of the work that is be-
ing done by the Federal govern
ment and by the Bureau Of American
Republics, we must make practical
use of the information which they
gather and disseminate. This is a
matter in which, l believe, we should
all take an active interest, and am
writing to you on this subject be-
cause I know of no agency that can
contribute more to the bringing
about of broad and intelligent pub
lie interest in the development of
this trade than can the press of the
South.
Yours very truly,
W. w. FINLEY,
President,