New-York tribune., 1913-11-09

, other Latln-Amerlcan countries NNeu
the Panama Canal is in operation and the
west coast OF Central and South America
is made accessible to the markets of the
universe, with a keen competition for the
trade by Europe and the United States.
the commercial awakening will be such
as TO surprise the world TO the great ard
permanent good of the entire west coast
to ourselves and to Europe, too. .-
The opening Of the great waterway viii
give this country an open door into
commercial empire, WHICH, IL properly de-
veloped, will surpass, even according 10
the standards of to-day. the fabulous
wealth taken from It by Pizarro. Alma
| gro and their hosts, when they pillaged
the marvellous treasures Of the Incas.
THE EARLY DEsPoILERs.
The early settlement OF those countries
by the Spanish conquistadores was main
ly for the purpose OF loot. No thought
was given for their development, the rul-
| ing passion being to despoil. This condi-
! ton existed until the different countries
won their independence. and after; for,
with the same blood, the same moral
standards and the incxperience of self
government, Il was easier to follow the
customs which had prevailed during the
| Spanish regime than TO adopt any rad.-
| cal changes. II has required time TO
! bring about any very evident improve
ment in conditions, but all of the repub-
! lies have been seriously and earnestly
! working out their own salvation by grad
, ually solving the vexatious problems OF
| Ia
ton and an immensely rich territory.
| they have now reached a point where
they require the infusion OF new blood
| in the way of finances and commercial
energy to develop their inexhaustlble re
sources.
With the anticipation OF the opening OF
the canal they are beginning TO rouse
themselves to realization OF their pos
sibilities. They are now expectantly
awaiting the stimulus which the move
ment of trade through the canal will give
them and they feel that the reputed en-
ergy and activity Of the North American
will do much TO quicken the pulse OF
business, increase commercial circulation
and generally inspire their communities
with the progressive spirit OF the day.
I
an issue of bonds for s3o.000.O00 in this
city, and the agent of the Guatemalan
government is now stopping at one OF
our principal hotels. At the same I.
the President OF the Republic OF Cuba Is
endeavoring TO get authority from Con-
gress to negotiate a s15,0O0,O 900 loan. and
for that purpose has called a special ses-
sion of the Cuban Congress. In both
cases the money is intended for puL..c
improvement
South American Trade.
The trade of these countries logically
belongs to the American manufacturing
and business community by reason OF
engineering conquest, geographical logic
and political expediency. IL they do not
make every effort at their command 20
acquire the bulk of the $500. 600. 900 an
nual trade Of the Latin-A American eoun-
tries then the stupendous investment CT
s400, 100000 by our Government In the
canal will have been merely for strategic
convenience, while the commercial ad-
vantages and great trade possibilities OF
II will be for Europe.
While the acquisition OF this trade
would be OF immense advantage to this
country. the more permanent and essen
tial good would come from the effect
such relations would have upon the
general peace of the American coun-
tries. No substantial commercial life
can be sustained unless peace exists,
for It is the basic principle OF all prog
ress and the foundation Of all develop
ment.
If the European countries take the
lead in South American trade. 1t is sure
that strained relations will exist be-
| tween us and our southern sisters. This
will be but part of the game where
trade supremacy is the goal The more
strongly Europe Is intrenched In the
| South American trade. the greater will
be our diplomatic difficulties, and our
national life may even be imperilled In
the course Of time.
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