The Washington herald., 1914-10-13
Hard to Enter South America.


Frankness compels me to say that doubt if the
American manufacturer ever will secure more of a
relative foohold in the trade of South America than
he now possesses.
Whyl
Because he neglected his opportunity through the
years gone by and has not now either the patience
the phlosophic temperament to diagnose the stua-
ton from a business and commercial standpoint and
measure up to it.
Let not deceive ourselves, but look at this stu
alton in South America IT actually is: Germany,
England, France, Belgium, and Italy have European
lied South America when it comes to domestic and
foreign trade and commerce These countries not
only supply South America with the products of their
factories, but they have supplied that continent with
the money that has developed its own resources The
United States has had no part in it.
The Monroe doctrine may have been potential as
against European flag, but it has not hindered the
European dollar from securing permanent foothold
in the southern half of this hemisphere.
European capital so completely dominates South
America to make Europe all but supreme in her
business and commercial activities save in the midst
of such turmoil and confusion as now prevails across
the One has only to visit the countries of South
America to be impressed with the fact that European
capital improved their harbOrs and controls their
docks and wharfs; that European capital developed
their mines, built their railroads. constructed their
public utilities, financed their national debts supplied
ocean ships gives stability to their banks pro-
vdes officers to give instruction in their armies and
naVles and in every way imaginable has so completely
NOIkcQ IScll INTO Ine warp ana WOOL OF business,
social and governmental life to all but justify the
claim to vested right.
In short, the European dollar speaks the language
of every country in South America.
How will get in there permanently now? Ger
tainly not by proceeding the assumption that while
these European countries at war, sneak in
snatch up, run away with and permanently possess
that which related to untold millions in the way
OF investment and represents generations of the most
patient social and business cultivation. Foreign trade
and commerce are not secured and made permanent
in this way.
While South America will take what we hurry to
her in this emergency in government-owned
ships purchased under the spell OF commercial hys
terra, must not let the people down there get the
impression that we are attempting to take advantage
of wounded and crippled European neighbors
in their hours of awful anguish, and thus secretly
form contempt for
South America will certainly not forget that until
this horrible cataclysm in Europe, there not
single ship flying the American flag plying between
the United States and that country beyond the Carb-
bean Sea.
Advising Just how to permanently secure a foot
hold in those markets, | would urge the study and
emulation OF the methods pursued by European ma
tions through many, many years.
l consider it more timely and important. how
ever, to suggest how, in my opinion we cannot per-
manently secure such foOthold.
We cannot do it by offending the South Ameri- |
cans sense of what is manly fair, and right. He is
proud and chivalrous. He scorns to take advantage
Of fallen foe either in war or trade, and | warn
American business to watch well their ways or
they will learn that whatever temporary advantage
they may appear to gain in this emergency. will be
later thrown back upon them with and derison.
Europe and South America united not only
by commercial but by social and family ties, Their
people visit back and forth Tens of thousands OF
them have homes in both continents. They speak
zach others language their families are intermarred.
,an throw business and commercial Establishments
round South America that will those people to
weaken in their loyalty and affection for their Euro
,ean relatives and friends while they are engaged
life-and-death struggle is absurd
have spent considerable time in South America
and know how those people prize intimate acquaint-
lnce, how they value warm friendships, how they
everence those social and business traditions associ-
lted with the years that go back to 'ong ago, and
inow that when this cruel war is over they will fly
o the arms of their old friends in a way that will
;ause Uncle Sam" with his emergency-bought ships,
o gasp in amazement
So would say that the way to permanently secure
foothold in the trade and of South
America would be to hold ourselves in absolute
rol through this trying ordeal abroad, curbing our
enthusiasm and ambition for foreign trade nor at
empting to rife the knapsacks of fallen COM
nercial competitors. Let supply South America
With whatever she needs in this crisis doing it in
dgnifed whole-hearted, generous way, sending her
othing that is not sterling. Then when Great
Britain Germany. France, and other European ma
ions who have developed South America with their
rains and money are themselves again, we can ap-
roach that he Id in a commercially sport smanllke
GaY and the theory that the Panama Canal has
wakened interest in business opportunities, trade
dvantages and undeveloped resources, down there,
n the virtue and merits of our goods and the in
egrity of methods and intentions solicit fair
hare of their patronage and equal opportunity
n their undertakings.
And in the meantime, let us urge the American !
congress give such assistance to those having the
ourage and ambition to embark in the over-the-seas
hpping, as will put vessels on the high flying q
he American flag, assist in taking of what !
yer business may be developed-E c. Buclner. Vice
resident F. l. du Pont de Nemours Powder Co, in t
he Scientific American