The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-08-09
WAR TAX PROPOSED IN THE FACE Of FADING REVENUE
HUGE TRADE is TO BE WON
BY u. S. IN SOUTH AMERICA
War Brings Unexampled Oppor-
tunity for Business, Says
John Barrett.

The critical responsibility facing the
commercial interests OF the United States
for the development OF trade with South
American countries which find themselves
almost completely blockaded as a resu.:
OF the general European war was empha-
sized yesterday by John Barrett, direc-
tor general OF the Pan-American Union.
Mr. Barrett sailed on the United Frui,
steamer Tenadores for Colon, Panama, to
make the passage OF the Panama Canal
on the first regular commercial boat
which goes through from ocean to ocean
on August Is. but he will return early in
September to reIforce the Efforts of the
North American business and banking
concerns to relieve the trying situation.
Mr. Barrett was largely responsible
for setting In rsotiou the Government ma
chlnery to impress on me financial and
commercial interests OF the United stat b
the need Of immediate help for South
Amerc from this country. and the ult''
mate advantage to both continents in the
development of trade and friendly rela-
lions The South American countries, he
believes. are s-.untries OF enormous re-
SOURCES ana anu nv OiA'F -
1t to the interest Of American commerce
to aid them In the critical situation
brought on by the war but also II is a
duty which American business men can
not overlook
The business interests NJ tho United
/ States at this moment" he said, are
face to face with the greatest combined
responsibility and possibility In the de-
ve,opment Of their trade with South
America which they have ever expert
/ enced While these business interests
. mus, profoundly regret to gain any advan-
/ tsge in the worlds commerce through
such an agency as war. yet confronting
the exact situation, they should
perform their duty and give aid and atten'
ton to South America even II they may
reap great permanent advantage.
can Enormous Purchaser"
IAN South America Ii an enormous pur'
chaser of the manufactured products OF
Europe. buying nearly s7oo.oooOOo WORT
every year. very large portion OF thii
supply, particularly that from Germany
will be shut of at once. and possibly To-
wear or two II the war continues
the American manufacturers. exporter
and bankers will make an sxtraordinar!
unselhsh effort under these condition.
to help out South America and treat /
right In the matter OF prices and credits
they will gain a legitimate advantage for
ever.
South America also sells to Europ
nearly $500. o00, 900 worth of her prod
ucts. She must therefore have an oppor
tunlty to sell these. and the importer
of the United States should help to re
leve her Of the congestion OF hcr cN
ports resulting from the war.
The lack of ships In all the principa
, ports like Rio de Janeiro, Montevide'
Buenos Ayres, Valparaiso. Calao an
, numerous other ports adds TO the ain
Guilty OF the situation, which can only II
relieved by American chipping men an
companies chartsrtng special vessels {
purchasing, under the new act OF Cor
. sress, vessels OF foreign registry to b
placed under the American flag The res
I significance of this point Is appreciate
when II is realized that practically
per cent. OF the carrying trade OF. Sout
America IL cared for in German an
British bottoms"
The European war, said Mr. Barrett
has practically bottled ny IN" produc
OF the South American countries. AZ
therein lies the opportunity FOR /.