The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1914-08-14
Our Opportunity For
South American Trade.


an editorial calling upon. congress to
act Immediately in securing for the
United States the great South Amer1-
can commerce. which has hitherto
been carried on between South Amer
lea and Europe, but which now, be-
cause of the European war, is abso-
lutely suspended. Among other things,
the American says:
The Republic has neither aided nor
abetted, but has deeply deplored the
awful conditions of the European
strife
But out of these conditions there
has arisen a commercial opportunity
for the people of the United States
which does not come to nation once
in a hundred years-or in a thousand
year an opportunity so rich, SO
definite. and so great, that not to meet
it because of timidity or stupidity.
or parsimony or Congressional david
ling ought to condemn to obscurtty
every representative connected with
such mcnstrous and unpatriotic neg
lect.
Here is South America that is do
ing every year about $4,000. 100000
worth of trade with Europe. For
twenty years our expanding Republic
has looked eagerly, hungrily, longingly
at that vast volume of trade. We have
schemed for it, talked for it, written
about it, sent commissions to see about
ii, hoped for it. dreamed of it-while
Germany and England and Europe
sailed away with it before our eyes.
And now here-within a fortnight
suddenly, Unexpectedly, without a
word or an effort OF ours-this vast
enriching commerce rises up before
US. stretches out it's hand and says
to the United States, COME AND GET
ALL THAT WE HAVE!
Was there Snch miracle OF
opportunity for the predestined peo-
pie of the earth?
The whole of Europe absorbed in
the madness of war and killing has
trade at our doors. Ten South Ameri-
can countries alone import from Eu-
rope 100000. 900 worth of goods.
These imports are ordered on short
time because of the excellence of Eu-
ropecn shipping, and these ten coun-
tries are now face to face with an ac-
tual famine in the articles which they
import. Our Republic, lying next door
and the elder brother of these re-
puhliCs and able to supply their every
need. has heretofore furnished only
81 dn. 600, 900 of the products which Eu-
rope can no longer send.
These ten South American States
exports are every year S100.000.000
worth to Europe. to whose ports they
have no longer access, and therefore
one half the distance and equally eligi-
BILE IN quality and terms.
OF the ships that have carried this
opulent trade 90 per cent are Ger
man and British and European, now
tied up and helpless in war of in
definite duration, and the tesming
ports of Rio de Janeiro, Montevideo
Buenos Ayres. Valparaiso, Callao and
La Guayra are therefore in a state
equal TO Il formal blockade.
If We reach out and take the South
American trade now, We can hold II
To our profit and theirs. What a mag
niticent double opportunity when, in
helping ourselves to this boundless
largeSs of Providence, we also bring
memorable and essential and never
10 be forgotten help to the exports and
the imports of our South American
brethren,
If ever nation was impelled by
every grain of common sense in Its
national brain to GIT A MERCHANT
MARINE. QUICKLY, that nation is the
United States Of America.
And Congress is the representative
of its brains and energies.
GET THE SHIPS!
This is good. Congress is already
acting in the matter by providing for
American registry of ships owned by
-Ameri can money but now sailing un-
der foreign flags. 1t has also been
proposed that congress provide for
the building of ships by the govern
ment to engage in this important COM
merce.
But that is not enough. Congress
might, with perfect propriety, bring
ships already built and put them into
this South American trade. After the
trade is established. the ships could
be sold. if desirable, to private own
ers. though there is no good reason
why the government should not OPP
crate a line of steamers to South
America as Well as a railroad in Alas
ka-
The whole question is clearly up to
congress and the opportunity should
not be ignored.
The great Qanara1