Evening star., 1909-04-23
LATIN PRAISES ROOT
Leopold Grahame AppIauds
South American Policy.
GOOD WORD FOR BARRETT
Correspondent Of La Prensa Here on
Commercial Mission.
CONDITIONS IN ARGENTINA
Would Improve Transportation Fa-
cilities in Interest Of Closer
Trade Relations.

There seem to be few people in the
United States who are aware of and ap-
preciate the immense good accomplished
by former Secretary of State Root during
his visit to South America and the Latin
American countries" said Leopold Gra-
hame of RuenOs Aires to a reporter for
The Star at the New Willard yesterday.
How completely he changed the feeling
of the people Of a large section of the
River Plata by his declarations and elo-
quent addresses! Why, he completely
converted their old doubts and fears into
absolute confidence and friendship.
1T would be pity to have those splen-
did efforts and their effects stultifed by a
policy Of Indifference In the future
Mr.. Grahame is distinguished journal
list of the Argentine Republic, special
correspondent Of the La Prensa, one of
who is visiting this country with special
mission from the Argentine minister Of
finance in connection with financial and
commercial matters.
Interested in Commerce.
He has been devoting hfs efforts for
years to seconding the work of the inter-
national bureau of American repub-
lies and its director, John Barrett. in
North and South America and furthering
commercial intercourse between the coun-
tries of the two continents. He comes to
the United States at this time with the
authoritative Endorsement OF knowing
whereof he speaks.
Mr.. Grahame stated that since his ar
rival in Washington he has been received
by President Taft at the White House,
by Secretary Knox, Senator and former
Secretary Root and the higher officials
of the State Department. with whom he
| has had lengthy and interesting CONVEX
satiOns touching the purposes of his mis-
| sion. He expressed himself as especially
gratified at the warm interest displayed
! by the President and the other prominent
men he has met in this country, who,
like himself, appreciate the growing de-
sire for closer relations between the Ar
gentine Republic and other Latin Ameri-
can countries and the United States.
Both the President and Secretary
knox," said Mr.. Grahame, have virtu-
ally authorized me to convey to the pa
pers l represent their interest in my mis-
sion, as well as their intention and desire
| to further In every legitimate way it's OBJ
jects. especially in extending their inf1u-
| ence to bring about the establishment OF
rapid and regular communication be-
| tween the two Americas by the creation
of financial institutions through which
| direct monetary transactions may be ef-
| fected without the expense delay and
cause Of the present necessity Of conduct
| ing all banking transactions between
North and South America through Eu-
| rope"
Estimate Of Possibilities.
Mr.. Grahame declared that the Ameri-
can exports to the Argentine Republic.
which today amount annually to between
$35 100000 and $4O.OOO,OOO. could be null
!, tiplied tenfold If such institutions as he
! proposes were in operation. In the mat
| ter of communication, he said. the pre-
vailing conditions are such as to impede
| rather than encourage growth in the in
| terchange of commerce.
| The existing direct service Of steam
ships between the United States and the
| River Plata ports, he said. is wholly in
| adequate to the requirements Of ex-
| porters here and importers there. The
deficiencies. he declared. are due. how
| ever, to the fact that the enterprise
| of running direct line is entirely in
| private hands.
The ships sail once month. and their
| capacity, he asserts, is not sufficient to
equalize distance and time in compari-
| son with the European service to South
America. Manufacturers here. he said
| cannot afford to submit to the risk OF
having their consignments and capital
tied up through the uncertainty of Sc
curing freight space at brief and fixed
| intervals. while their consignees. who
might ma advantages In purchasing In
| this country. cannot afford to risk the
| uncertainty of the delivery Of their con-
signments.
Passengers who travel to and from this
country and the Argentine, he aff1rms,
find far superior accommodations on the
established lines Of mail steamers to
and from his country by way of Eu-
rope. They cost practically the same as
by the direct and not SO good lines be-
tween there and America.
Advocates Tariff Relief.
The tariff. too. Mr.. Grahame feels. is
an important factor.
1ifflo recinrocfty ho &u