The Washington herald., 1914-08-10
SEEK TRADE OF
SOUTH america
State Department and Pan
American Union Co
operating.
HELP LATNS, IS THE CRY
With War Stopping Supply, Says Bar
ret. They Need This coun-
z try's Exports.


ofnciais Of the Pan-American Union
have begun the compilation OF exhaustive
data which will show graphically and In
great detail the extent Of the CONNER
cial and financial dependence Of South
American countries upon Europe, from
intercourse with which they are now cut
or
This data will be Distributed as fast
Is II Is compiled to manufacturers, ex-
portsrs. importers. trade associations and
commercial bodies OF all descriptions, fo-
the purpose of reinforcing the appeal
which Director Barrett has already made
to American business to realize on the
remarkable opportunity which the Euro
pean situation offers. The Information
to be disseminated will be prepared with
4 view to showing Americans Just what
the opportunities are and also indicating
how they may be realized upon In this
country.
Seek 20 Aid Latins.
At the State Department. likewise.
measures are under consideration look
ing to the relief Of South America in
Its threatened distress owing to the stop
page OF shipping TO Europe by the wars.
The government oficials are keenly
aware Of the opportunities in the pres
ent Atuation. At the State Department.
however. every step taken must be on
the basis Of assisting the South American
countries, rendering them all possible
service. rather than on the principle OF
taking from Europe what she has been
enjoying until the moment Of her going
to war.
New York. Aug. s-The critical re-
sponsibility facing the commercial in
terests of the United States for the de-
velopment OF trade with South American
countries which md themselves almost
completely bIockaded as a result OF the
general European war was emphasized
yesterday by John Barrett, director gen.
eral OF the Pan-American Union. Mr..
Barrett sailed on the United Fruit steam
er 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 re-enforce the efforts Of the North
American business and banking concerns
to relieve the trying situation.
Barrett Prime Mover.
Mr.. Barrett was largely responsible for
setting in motion the government ma
chinery to impress on the financial and
commercial interests Of the United States
the need of immediate help for South
America from this country. and the ulti-
mate advantage to both continents in the
development OF trade and friendly rela-
tions. The South American countries, he
believes, are countries OF enormous re-
sources and potentialities. and not only
Is II TO the interest OF American COM
merce to aid them in the critical situa-
ton brought on by the war but also II Is
duty which American business men
cannot overlook.
The business interest. of the United
States at this moment" he said, ARE
face to face with the greatest combined
responsibility and possibility in the de-
velopment Of their trade with South
America which they have ever expert
enced. While these business interests
must profoundly regret to gain any ad-
vantage In the worlds commerce through
such an agency as war. yet, confronting
the exact situation. they should perform
their duty and give aid and attention TO
South America even II they may reap
great permanent Advantage.
"An Enormous Purchaser"
"An South America Is an enormous
purchaser of the manufactured products
of Europe, buying nearly 500 200 worth
every year. A very large portion Of this
supply, particularly that from Germany,
will be shut OF at once, and possibly for
a year or two. II the American manu-
facturers, exporters and bankers will
make an extraordinary unselhsh enors
Under these conditions to help out South
America and treat II right In the matter
OF prices and credits, they will gain
legitimate advantage forever.
South America also sells to Europe
nearly Ss00 900 900 worth Of her prod
ucts She must therefore have an oppor-
tunIty to sell these. and the importers
Of the United States should help to re-
Iieve her OF the congestion of her ex-
ports resulting from the war.
The lack OF ships IN al the principal
ports like Rio de JaneirO, Montevideo,
BuenOs Ayres, Valparaiso. Callao and
numerous other ports adds to the DIM
Guilty Of the situation, which can only be
by American shipping men and
companies chartering special vessels or
purchasing. under the new at OF Con-
gress, vessels of foreign registry to be
placed under the American nag. The real
significance Of this point Is appreciated
when IL Is realized that practically 50
per cent Of the carrying trade OF South
America is cared for In German and
British bottoms"