The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1914-05-29

provision In the immigration bill "a IL
was passed by the house of represen-
tatfyes were convinced not long ago
that Mr.. Wilson would see to IL that
because OF the reading test, the meas-
ure would not be allowed to become 8
law. Opinion In Washington, how
ever. seems TO have changed recently
and now the understanding Is that
Mr.. Wilson win put his name to the
bill II Il gets 10 him.
The southern Democratic represer-
tatiyes have little or nothing 70 fear
from tine votes which they cast to
help make the immigration bill into
law with the reading test incorpor-
ated. II is i different story and an
essentially different one with those
who come from the large cities. Demo
Gratis Of New York, Chicago, ST. Louis
and other big cities do not like the
bill and while most Of them voted
against y In the house II ia said that
they fear the recoil effects OF the leg
islation because II was proposed, was
put through the house and may be put
through the senate by Democratic ma
Jorities. The signature necessary to
make the bill into law would be that
OF a Democratic president.
Trade With Latfn-America.
The first vessel on commerce bent
has passed through the Panama canal.
John Barrett, director general OF the
Pan-American union, wants the United
states TO understand the great OPP
portunitiec which are before 1t for
increased trade when the canal be-
comes, as 1t will shortly, an active
highway OF commerce between the
two great oceans. Mr. Barrett per-
haps 10 the last American authority
on all matters pertaining to the trade
and development Of the countries on
this continent which lie to the south
or the United States.
Mr.. Barrett has had something to
say TO your correspondent about the
increased trade opportunities which
will come TO all western America az
the result Of the opening OF the water
way.
Reaching directly south from line
drawn from San Diego, CAL, to Key
West, Fla" said he, ARE 20 countries
covering an area of 100000 square
miles This is three times the con-
nected area of the United States.
Their population Is. approximately,
100000. This Is seyen-tenths OF the
population OF the United States, and
il 10 destined to increase even more
rapidly In the future through immigra-
ton and general development than Is
the population OF this country. These
20 countries last year conducted for
eiEn trade--that is, bought and sold
with the rest OF the world--yalued at
the extraordinary figure OF $4,000, 000,-
600, This total is all the more impress
sive when we bear In mind that 1t rep
resents the remarkable increase OF ST..
O00.000.oo0 in the last ten years.
Should Grow Even More Rapidly.
''Inasmuch as commerce is the life
OF nations these 20 sister republics OF
Central and South America can Ger.
tainly be called lusty and full-blooded.'
IL they can carry on trade OF 81, $780,
100000 per annum before the Panama
canal Is completed. and before the
world generally has awakened to their
enormous potentialities and possibli-
ties, is Ii not reasonable to estimate
that It win grow to $4,000, 900. 900 with.
In ten. or ct the outside. fifteen years
after the canal is completed and the
great EASTERN and western routes OF
commerce are swung around to north
and south lines, as now seems newt
able? Surely prizes OF commerce es
timated at such figures as these are
worthy of the most earnest and per
sistent efforts OF the business interests
OF America.
There Is great deal of nonsense
and buncombe about Latin-Americans
not caring to trade with the business
men OF the United States. do not
know of single American exporter or
importer who is not just as ready to
buy from, or sell to, an American
manufacturer or merchant as he is to
buy from or sell TO b manufactures or
merchant OF Europe, provided the
American can offer him the same
advantages as the man from Eu.
rope. There is, occasionally. anti.
United States talk In some Latin
American newspapers. and there are
now and then anti.American out,
bursts of political agitators. but the
rank and file OF the business men OF
I4atin-Ameriea are not affected by
these incidents.
Not MonopoIlxed by Europe.
Before this / have spoken of the
great world trade OF Latin.America.
Naturally. the next question TO be an
swered is: What is the share of the
United States In Pan-American com.
merce? In answering this question |
desire to dispose Of several bogies and
fallacIes which are too often pro
claimed by uninformed writer's and
speakers. 1t is not true that the United
States has small trade with Latin
America. II is not true that the United
Sstotas f,at,.sx ~ .,