New Britain herald., 1914-08-14
CRITICAL CONDITION
 IN SOUTH AMERICA
John Barrett Appeals to United
 States to Aid Republics.

cal situation in South America that Director General John Barrett of the Pan American union. in his capacity l as an international of1cer-that is, an officer of all the South American countries as we'll as of the United 1 States-makes the following urgent appeal to the commercial and finan- cial interests of the United States. "As the executive officer of the Pan American union, the organiza- tion of the American republics de- voted to the development of com merce. friendship. intercourse and goodwill among them all, I appeal to the banking, shipping. manufac- turing, exporting and importing in- terests of the United States to give at this moment every possible aid and attention to the critical South American situation brought on by the European war. I also ask the newspapers, in both their editorial and news columns, to give all public ity possible to this matter so that their constituents interested in this situation may be informed of their responsibility and opportunity.
 While everybody must profound ly regret that a condition of war and the sufferings of European nations engaged in a great conflict should in any way be exploited for the selfish gain of the United States, its busi- ness interests have a duty and re- sponsibility in this crisis which must be met even if it may bring them vast material benefits. Looking at the situation in thoroughly unself- ish way, it presents demands upon the United States from South Amer ica which cannot be neglected, but which, if responded to in the right spirit, will be enormously beneficial to South America and the United States alike. The problem divides itself into four heads-imports, ex- ports, ships, and loans. -
 South American Imports.
 "All South America is an enor- nous purchaser of the manufactured products of Europe. A large portion of this supply will be shut off during the next six months and possibly during the next year or two If the war continues As many South American countries depend largely upon Europe for absolute neces- sites. and major part of these or
 ders are placed but a short time ahead because of the excellence of the regular shipping facilities. they are now face to face with an imme- diate famine in the articles which they most generally import. Accord ing to the latest available figures collated in the Pan American union, the ten South American countries Argentina Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador. Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela-annually import products valued at $s61,000,- 900. Of this there come from Eu- rope products valued close to $660.- OOo.O0O. While Great Britain sup plies products of this total to the value of approximately s273, ,000,- 900, Germany, which is completely cut off by the war. supplies $780, o0o,ooo; France $s4,oo0,ooo; Italy, $54 900: Belgium. $47,000.000: Austria Hungary. $s,0oo,o00; Meth erlands, ss.ooo, 900; Switzerland, $e,oo0,oo0. and other European countries lesser sums. For compari- son 1t can be stated that the average imports from the United States of these ten countries of South America amount to approximately $155,o00,- 900. Bearing the fact in mind that the commercial relationship of South America will be exhausted and so we'll organized and systematized that seventy-f1ve per cent. of these imports are only ordered about month or two months ahead of their delivery, 1t can be realized how soon the present supplies on hand in South America will be exhausted and that she must depend upon the United States to make up the defi- ciency. If the United States manu- facturers and exporters will exert every effort to supply this emergency demand without increase of prices, or unnecessary delay. they will ac- complish great permanent good for themselves and the South American business interests alike.
 South American Exports.
 "The same compilation of figures shows that South America annually exports to foreign countries products valued at approximately $1,177,- 100000. Of this total nearly $700.- 0O0,O0O go to Europe. Of these products Great Britain takes ap- proximately $270,ooo,0oo; Germany, 57,0OO,O0O; France, $104, 100000; Belgium, $60,oo0,oo0 Netherlands, s44, 1000 900; Italy, $27,o00,00o; Aus a-Hungary, $22.O0o.o00; with the remaining amount divided among different countries. For comparison, it can be stated that these ten countries of South America export to the United States annually products valued at approxi- mately $2b0,000,0O0.
 With, therefore, their principal markets for their raw products tenn porarily closed against them, these ten countries are looking for a place to dispose of their accommodating stores, and if the importing interests of the United States, including the manufacturers of raw material. can relieve the situation by increasing