Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-03-26
FOREIGN INTEREST IN CANAL.

South America seems to realize bet
ter than North America the Increased
trading facilities that will be made
possible by the opening of the Panama
canal A report sent to Washington
by Consul Alfred A. Winslow at Val
paraiso, Chile, says that the com.
mercial and industrial interests OF
the west coast Of South America
are expecting great things follow.
ing the completion of the canal
and are actively getting ready tor
the event. One company, he Reports
is about to build six large steamers 10
NV between Chilean and United states
norts via the canal. Commercial
houses, he says, are increasing their
capacity and making new connections
with American exporters SO as 10 pe
In line for the rush and the consul De-
lieves. It will be well for American
firms to grasp fully the situation ana
then avail themselves of the full bene-
At az this opening for American busl-
ness In this connection Consul Win
slow quotes an article published in the
Daily News of London, which he says
covers the situation very fully, as un-
dergtood in Chile as we'll as IN Eng
land The article follows:
Panama is going to alter the worlds
trade routes to the great advantage OF
the world in general, but for the spec
ial advantage of the American nations.
The matter is of profound Importance
to Britain, because Britain has so
many of the worlds ships, and there
fore so much of the worlds carrying
trade. It was a geographical discov-
cry that ruined Venice. am
not suggesting that any such ruin
could be wrought to Britain and her
shipping by the Panama canal. but
It is very important for us to bear In
mind that we possess an absurdly dis
proportionate share of the WORLDS
carrying trade, and that it is largely
American folly which has given us that
disproportionate share. We must not
suppose that the United States Will
forever be so foolish as to pursue
policy which makes 1t Impossible Tor
her to develop a great mercantile ma
rine. and the Panama cut, because 1t
will accentuate the existing American
folly, Is very likely to bring ABOUT
alterations in American commercial
policy which will restore to the United
states the use of the great national
advantages for shipping which she
Possesses. America possesses magnl-
ficert geographical position, facing the
two great oceans, and when her At
lantic and Pacific seaboards are for
practical purposes made one, that posi-
tion. whether for purposes of peace or
war. will become hundred fold more
valuable.
.sThe annual imports now entering
through the Pacific ports OF South
America" says the consul in comment
ing on this article, amount to $780,
OOO,O 900 United States gold, and that
this will be doubled before 1920 is the
opinion of many. OF this total the
United States is furnishing less than
10 per cent, whereas it should supply
at least 40 per cent. The people of
this part of the world are ready to buy
American products if brought to their
doors, as has been demonstrated by
several American manufacturers who
have kept a supply in this field to
meet the demands of the trade, instead
Of requiring the buyers to 60 to the
United States for the goods.
American interests in general have
greatly improved their methods during
the past four years, with the result
that American imports into Chile have
very nearly doubled in that time, but
there are still chances for improve
ment on the part of many.