The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-07-24
Charles F. speare in the North American

Philippine Islands .............' 1oV"'""
 When the American decides to invest his capital abroad he makes compromise with his natural prejudice and tries to keep his capital as near home as possible. This accounts for the predominance oi American money in Mexico. There IS not n mining camp in the republic 10 the south of us but has drawn on American capital The City of Mexico Is rapidly becoming Americanized The money in- vested in Mexican mines is double that located in all other enterprises. In the past ten years American money has been flowing into Mexico at the rate or from s5o,ooo,0Oo to s75,ooo.ooo per annum. In 1908 Minister of Finance Liman- tour estimated that of the total invest ment of s2oooo,Ooo of foreign capital in Mexico that year American money figured of s18,00.0oo. He agrees that our as- gregate investments in the republic are close to three-quarters of billion dol lars. It is expected that, in tho future, Mexico will draw on the United States fin greater ratio for capital for banks, railroads. irrigation projects and strictly mercantile enterprises, as there has been a feeling that too large part or Ameri- can investment in Mexico is in one class of industry. viz. mining.
 Of the Szs,o000o of American capital invested in Cuba the greater part is in sugar and tobacco plantations, Tn the bonds of the republic and in the pahhs and railroads. The largest banking insu- tutions in Havana are supported by Amer ican capital. The $3b,0oO.0oo Cuban loan of few years ago was largely placed in the United States, and what wen. abroad is steadily coming back here. American capital controls the telegraph and telephone systems of Cuba. frac- ticallv all of the electric transportatioh on the island has resulted from American enterprise and American dollars. Ihe two main railroad systems in Cuba em- hrace a s9o O00. 900 investment from capital- ,sts in this country Sugar, tobacco and cattle absorb many millions more In Porto Rico from $1o.00OooO to $ls'ooo'Vo has been invested since the war in fruit and sugar plantations. The investments in the Philippines of 100000 are mainly in steam roads. electric lines and light ond mower concerns, and in government obligations.
 The strongest appeal for American ca nital comes from the Latin countries south of the Gulf of Mexico. It has not h.en ienored. Although Europe holds N- nm ooo GOO of the debts of South American republics. the United States is taking ber nlace well up toward the top of the nations who are financing that country. ultimately she ought to have first rank, as she ts in the best position to secure trade and to watch over her investments. The visit of Secretary Root to Soutn America marked an epoch in the financial relations between the peoples Of the northern and southern hemispheres. It was followed by heavy American invest nents in Brazil In Rio de Janeiro and Sac Paulo telephone, tramway, electric ,,ght and mower concessions valued at $25,- 100000 were secured. American invest , ments in Brazil are now so large tnat there is a demand there for an Amerl- can hank to compete with those which English, German and Italian enterprise has established Two of the most ini- portant banking houses of New York are behind the s25, 100000 railroad project in which the government of Bolivia is con cerned Two large banking firms in New York have supplied capital Tar , si2'oo'- GOO nitrate development scheme h Chile and still another has $l5,0c1Oo3 in bragliian coffee valorization. American capital to the extent of GOO is represented in the construction of Peruvian railroad. Argentina has 100000 of Amsracan money Ecuador s1o.0oo,ooo. Columbia SA-