The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-10-04
DAYOF OPPORTUNITYFO FOR
SOUTH AMERICAN TRADE
John Barrett Says This is Time For Cooperation
and Mutual Help Together With Careful Inves
tigation of Commercial Conditions.

The wide and unprecedented public
interest in the Latin American com
mercial opportunity as developed bY
the European war lis being Followed
by SO much misconceptions: In many
circles. Of the real trade and economic
obtaining in certain parts OF
Latin America. that Director General
Barrett of the Pan American union
In Washington has found II necessary
to ascertain by cable the exact bust
ness situation In Latin America, and.
as a result, TO sound. in justice to both
the United tates and Latin America,
note of caution and warning.
On August 8. Immediately after the
outbreak OF the European war. Direc-
tor Barrett addressed memorandum
to the commercial and financial inter
ests Of the United States urging them
to prepare to meet the combined re-
sponsihility and opportunity present
ed In Latin America by the war. This
statement attracted general attention
and discussion. but now new phase
Of the situation. as Indicated by these
cable reports. has developed and is
requiring careful consideration.
These advices" he states, ''em-
phasize that what Is needed at this
hour in Latin America Is not so much
n
of the United States, although requir-
ed in considerable quantities. but mon
ey, loans and advances. credits on pur-
chases, and markets at reasonable rates
for raw products which usually go to
Europe II Latin America can sell at
fair figure her accommodating raw
products and buy In turn. through re-
ceiving financial help and cooperation
In the form Of advances and credits
from United States exporters, importers
and bankers. the situation will be
speedily remedied and the commercial
interests of the United States and of
Latin America will truly enter upon a
new era OF Pan-American commerce
and comfy,
1.-THE fact that the twenty Latin
American countries last year bought
Imports and sold exports to the vast
total of $4,000. 900, 900, of which $4,000,
600, 600 were transactions with Europe.
proves beyond uuihble or doubt that
the opportunity is there. but subject to
the conditions herein noted. That the
United States already has a good start
and Is making encouraging progress,
Is shown by the fact that its exchange
of trade with Latin America has grown
In the last seven years. or during the
present administration of the Pan
American union. nearly 100 per cent or
from $3.50. 600 600 to sS56,o0e,6 90.
The European war. while greatly
lessening the sources of Latin -Amerf-
can imports and the market for ex-
ports. and opening a correspondinRly
greater opportunity to United States
exports and imports has SO unavoid-
ably crippled Latin American financial
resources and commercial machinery
that 1t must require several months
or "A year before conditions can read
just themselves and permit results that
many United states business men ex
peCt Immediately.
Despite the efforts, not only of the
Latin-ArtN'tean embassies, Legations
and consul s. but of the Pan -Ameri-
can unior an international organi-
cation. ant the United States depart
ments of state and commerce. to state
the situation exactly as 1t exists. count
less articles have been appearing in
various newspapers and magazines en-
phasizing an alleged golden oppor
tunity.' without pointing out its actual
and present environments of money
hightness and dislocation OF interna-
tional commercial methods. Numerous
business men and commercial agents. In