The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-08-12
SOUTH A1lERICA.E NEED.

such = critical situation In South
Amsrica that Director General John
Barrett. OF the Pan-American Union.
in his capacity - an international Of
ficer@that 10. an onicer Of all the
South American countries as well as
the United States-makes an urgent
appeal to the commercial and imam
cial interests Of the United States to
give every possible attention and aid
at this moment to the critical South
American situation brought on by the
war. And the need of South America
also presents advantageous opportu-
mites to the business men in this
country. But as Mr.. Barrett says:
while everybody must profoundly
regret that a condition Of war and the
sufferings Of European nations en-
gagged in q great conflict should In
any way be exploited for the selfish
gain of the United States, its business
interests have duty and RESPONSE
bility in this crisis which must be met
even If 1t may bring them vast mate
rial benefits. Looking at the situation
in a thoroughly unselfish way. it pre-
scnts demands upon the United States
from South America which cannot be
neglected. but which. II responded to
in the right :-,irit. will be enormously
beneficial to South America and the
United States alike" And Mr.. Bar
rett explains some of the needs of
South America and tho duty as well
as tho opportunity Of tho United
States to supply them, as follows:
30 AnnPYnn1lQ
purchaser of the manufactured product
Of Europe. A large portion Of this sup
ply will be shut or during the next six
months and possibly during the next
year or two If the war continues. AS
many South American countries de-
pend largely upon Europe for its abso-
lutte necessities. and a major part Of
these orders are placed but q short
time ahead because Of the excellence of
the regular shipping facilities. they are
now face to face with an Immediate
famine in the articles which they most
generally import. According to the
latest available figures collected in the
Pan American Union, the ten South
American countries-Arsentina. Bolivia,
Brazil. Chile. Colombia. Ecuador. Para
annually import products valued at
1861 .000, 900. OF this there come from
Europe products valued close to $780,
000,00O While Great Britain supplies
products Of this total to the value Of
approximately $4,000, 900. Germany.
which IL completely cut OF by the war,
supplies $3.50. 100000: France. $s4. .ooo. 900;
Italy. $4,000. 900; Belgium. $4,000. 900;
Austria Hungary. 100000; Neither
lands. $500, 900; Switzerland. $6.0oo.o 900.
and other European countries lesser
sums. For comparison 1t can be stated
that the average imports from the
United States Of. these ten countries Of
South America amount to approximate
ly <155; 900. 0o0.- Bearing the fact in mind
that the commercial relationship of
South America and Europe has been so
we'll organized and systematised that
seventy-five per cent Of these imports
are only ordered about q month or two
months ahead of their delivery. 1t can
be realised how soon the present sup
plies on hand in South America will be
exhausted and that she must depend
upon the United States to make up the
deficiency. If the United States manu-
facturers and exporters will exert every
effort to supply this emergency demand
without increase Of prices. or unneces-
sary delay they will accomplish great
permanent good for themselves and the
South American business interests
alike.
'As nearly 80 per cent of the ex-
ports and imports of these South
American countries are carried in Ger
man. British and other European bot
the sea. all of their principal ports.
like Rio de Janeiro, Montevideo,
Buenos Aires. Valparaiso. Callao and
La Guaira are in a state equal to that
Of a formal blockade. The majority
Of these vessels will be absolutely un-
able to operate for many months and
possibly for several years unless the
situation Is quickly remedied. There
il no limit to the sufferings that will
como to these countries and ports II
their facilities for sending out theil
exports and bringing in the necessary
| imports are cut off. In this crisis II
il to be sincerely hoped that the bill
now being passed by the United States
| congress may be of great assistance II
relieving the situation. That, how
ever. can only point out the way
There must follow the placing upor
the high seas to operate between the
United States and the principal South
American ports a fleet Of vessels fly
ing the American flag, and this car
only be done by United States com.
panies taking advantage of this act OF
congress and carrying out the provi
sions of this bill.
LUST as war was declared severa
of the principal countries of Soutl
America were negotiating loans IL
the European financial capitals. Thes,
loans are inspired by the pressure O.