Los Angeles herald., 1910-04-11
Rise and Fall of Commercial
CnnfnrC-I BY Lionel A. Sheldon
BY Lionel A. Sheldon

controlled the overland transportation
from Asia and imposed on the peoplH
grinding monopoly. There can be
monopoly of land routes, but not of
water routes. The seas are thoroughk
fares common to the people Of all the
world.
In 14O7 Vasco de Cana sailed around
the Cape of Good Hope and opened
the way for western Europe to trade
directly with India and other parts
of eastern Asia. Though the route|
was longer and in following 1t more
time was consumed 1t was yet the line
of less resistance in the labor required
and In expense, which overoame the
disadvantage of time. In a brief period
the commercial centers that had arisen
in the interior of Europe were rele-|
gated to positions of unimportance by
Antwerp Brussels, London and Otherl
cities on the eastern Atlantic coast.
The land routes of transportation from
Asia had to be abandoned. not being
able to withstand the competition Of
the water route discovered by De-
Cana. 1t also relieved the people of
the interior of Europe from the mo-l
nopoly of the Hanseatic league.
Water transportation being cheaper.
and new means and methods havingl
rendered II more expeditions than in.
early times. commercial centers have
latterly been established at points
where such transportation Is most
available for reaching countries that
contribute to commerce from theirs
productivity and also that possess
large or considerable populations TO be
supplied with what they need and do
not produce. The question of location|
today is decided upon conditions. or
proximity to regions of both produce
tion and consumption. The city whose
location is most favorable to both
should in the nature of the situatlonI
be able to outstrp rivals.
Resultant from natural causes, that.
portion of North America lying in the
temperate zone is fast becoming-in-
deed IL has becorne-the greatest
arena of world trade. Climate and
soil productivity in variety and abun-
dance are the factors In bringing this
about Another is the immensity or
mechanical industries built up by an
unusually intelligent, energetic and in-l
domitable population. The mineral re-
sources OF many kinds are nowherel
equal except possibly in China, and.
they are undeveloped and as yet but
little known. Geographical position]
gives this temperate zone advantages
that Europe cannot overcome by any
display of genius and energy. North
America lying between Europe and
Asia can therefore extend her COM
mercial arms both ways for trade with
the densest populations of the earth.
Europe for centuries has thrived on
oriental trade. That trade ct the pres
ent time Is what all commercial ma
tions are striving after. From geo.
graphical position. strength of popu-'
iation and vast volume of export
able commodities she produces. the.
United States should be able to hold
the whip hand In connection with that
trade, and II she does not speedily
become the largest factor in 1t the
fault will lie with the American peo-
pie. Transportation lines of least re-
sistance, both as to time and cost, are
within the grasp of this country. AS
control of the oriental and western|
oceanic trade passes from the hands
of Europeans their commercial deca-
dence will speed on. They VIII noE
be able to hold their own in a contest'
with the youthful and more energetic
people Of this part of America. Nature
has given this country a position that
the old world will find II difficult 70
successfully assail, n position that has.
been strengthened by large and forcex
ful population reared and increased
while making a conquest OF tho COM
tinent. a phenomenal development OF
resources from the Atlantic to the Pa
cific oceans. A large and growing pop
ulation Is already established on the
western coast and is ow wellH
equipped to advance the commercial
standard westward.