Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-01-18
CHANCE FOR TRADE
Minister de Rivero Says Cuba
Is Worth Cuttivating.
TALK AT ANNUAL BANQUET
Speakers Urge the Necessity Of a
Commercial Policy.
OTHER NATIONS ARE AWAKE
Secretary Nagel Tells of Vast Sum
Spent by One Country ON It's
New York Consulate.
OTHER NATIONS ARE AWAK]

bearing testimony to the gratitude OF
the Cuban people to the United States
for its assistance in Cuba's fight for in
dependence, and declaring that the
Cubans were not 'bellicose people,
Senior di Rivero, Cuban minister to the
United States, last night addressed the
National Board of Trade at its annual
banquet in the. New Willard Hotel. Al
though the Cuban minister did not re-
fer in any manner to the message which
has passed from this country to his
own. demanding that order be kept there
his remarks were considered significant
in view of the present situation.
Senior di RiverO called attention TO the
fact that Cuba was an excellent market
for American goods, but added that
American merchants did not take ad-
vantage of their opportunities there.
Says Cubans Are Workers.
You frequently hear report to the
effect that the Cubans a bellicose
people, said the Cuban minister. "but
this is not borne out by the facts. The
amount of manufactures and of exports
from Cuba indicate that the people are
Industrious There is large number
Of cubans who have studied in the
I utted states ana nave absorbed the
ideas of this nation.
yet there are many merchants in the
United States who are accustomed to say:
What's the use of sending machinery 20
Cuba? If the Cubans do not blow it up.
the American navy will have to-?
How the business of the United States is
to be developed at home and abroad was.
in general. the topic of the speakers at
the banquet including Secretary Nagel
of the Department of Commerce and La
Dor. Huntington Wilson, assistant secre-
tary of state: Senator Burton of Ohio.
Representative Padgett of Tennessee and
DR.. Frederick A. Cleveland, chairman of
the Presidents committee on economy
and efficiency.
Would Ratify Treaties.
Senator Burton, a member Of the Sem
ate committee on foreign affairs. spoke
earnestly in favor of the adoption of the
proposed arbitration treaties between this
country and Great Britain, and this coun-
try and France, without amendment. He
advocated also the adoption of similar
treaties between this country and all the
nations of the world. and between the
other nations, saying that he believed
that a new era of development had been
entered upon.
The necessity Of the adoption of reforms
in the currency and banking systems of
the United States was urged by Repre-
sentative Padgett, a member of the none
tary commission, which has been at work
on this proposition for the last two years.
He said there was plenty of money in the
country to meet all needs, but that what
was needed was a reorganization Of cred
it's. which would permit at all times the
distribution of plenty Of money to meet
all conditions, at a reasonable charge.
Huntington Wilson expressed the inter-
est Of. the State Department In aiding
American trade to reach all parts of the
world.
Commercial Policy Needed.
Secretary Nagel urged that the Depart
ment of Commerce and Labor should be
charged with the commercial develop
ment OF the United States.
IF it is necessary to have a CONNER
cial policy, and the states have failed to
develop such policy, what was the fed
eral government created fOr?" asked Sec
rotary Nagel. There must be some au-
development of foreign commerce be ham
died by the states? At home we are con-
cerned about maintaining competition in
commerce, but abroad we do not have to
look after that, for foreign nations are
looking after that, and doing 1t well. 1t
more money on it's consulate in New York
city. to aid the trade of it's country In the
United States, than this government
spends on developing it's entire foreign
commerce throughout the world"
Secretary Nagel urged also the organ
ization of commercial organization to De
recognized by the government, and whose
aim should be to develop American trade
throughout the world.
DIR. Cleveland discussed the chief causes
of waste and inefficiency in the federal
government