New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-11-15

brought the Argentine kepubIc ana Chll
70 the verge of war. both countries agreed TO re-
spee thei- naval ornaments. Acting upon this
.r-eement. the Argentine government sold to
Japan her two newly constructed battleships,
and for several days following there a lengthy
eo-respondeoce in one of the leading newspapers
~ The capital. under the caption of How Shal!
We Spend Our Extra Millions? ." Each correspond
ont suggested a different method Of spending the
money realized by the sale Of the ships, but no
o,e appeared to indicate the more prudent course
~ busbandinc the national resources and of con
serving those millions until period of depres
sion or some urgent reproductive objects should
render their employment OF greater advantage to
the country
r., srulvinC a similar process of reasoning to
tho many different suggestions made during the
widespread movement initiated on the outbreak of
war 10 increase the trade of the United States
with South Americs and by showing what should
not be done as well as what should be done 70
accomplish that purpose useful contribution
nav be made 20 the energetic but largely inef-
feetual agitation still proceeding and very con-
siderable saving Of unnecessary expenditure ef-
fected
As preliminary 20 dealing with the many sug-
restions and policies submitted by publicists and
commercial experts as elementary conditions prec-
edert 10 the acquisition by American manufact-
r-srs of a larger share of South American trade,
II NAV be well 20 state two general propositions
which. a, az present demonstrated, are calculated
10 impede rather than 20 advance an extension
Of business relations. The first of these is the
constant association and intermixture of CONNER
eia effort i'm Latin America with an-American-
ism.
The two subjects constitute entirely distinct
fields Of action and must be separated If 1t is de-
sired TO avoid harmful results to both. The peo-
Die of the larger countries Of South America can
no, reconcile the noble policies and disinterested
efforts of Henry Clay. Monroe Lincoln Blame
and other great American statesmen Of our own
tine to link the nations of this continent IN
bond Of ,is.erhood with the new-fashioned Pan
lner,ar,sn of industrial corporations and en-
te-prisirc North American shippers. Whilst it is
enly lust 20 declare that the government Of the
United States and the men of light and leading
who arc corscientiously striving 70 bring about
eoser unon of all the countries of America disso-
eate themselves from the form of Pan-American-
ism referred TO. the South Americans regard 1t as
all Americanism and no pan and as implying by
its Transparent objects offence to their com
mon intelligence. They need American products
but they resent the introduction of any political
creed or doctrine 10 aid them in securing the most
suitable merchandise in the cheapest market
The second proposition has reference to the
cue ZION Of combined action in the bid for South
American trade. by the activities o. chambers OF
commerce and kindred commercial bodies. THESE
Institutions are most excellent and useful IN the
Erection Of defending and advancing the general
.erest and Of securing protection and advan-
tagcs for the business community as whole'
but t. should be clearly understood that man
ufacturer who desires to extend his connections
10 South America cannot hope, as some evidently
d. that the contribution of $50 $50 or sou per
arnum for membership in one of these bodies VIII
procure for him benefits of individual charac-
ter
INDIVIDUAL ENTERPRISE AND ENERGY ARE
REQUIRED.
The prevailing conditions in South America
necessarily preclude any considerable immediate
increase m the volume Of trade with the United
States but never in the history Of either division
Of the continent have such splendid opportunities
presented themselves as are now available for an
unreasonable development Of the export trade CT
this country. The attainment, however, of that
desirable end can be realized only by the sppli-
cation Of individual enterprise such as would be
exercised in the exploitation of good markets in
any other part Of the world.
All theories and speculation as TO what the
United states or its manufacturers should do 10
get business in say the Argentine Republic or
Brazil ere confusing and misleading. No special
conditions other than those attaching to com
mcrcc in any other country arc necessary for the
opening Of accounts in Buenos Ayres or MO DE
Jaceiro Al the present moment hberality IN
he natter Of credit is an essential factor IN
establishing commercial relations, but even that
concession can be so safcguarded as to make II OF
future advantage rather than element Of imme-
date risk. The South American countries are pass
ng through a period Of financial stringency' oc-
e-sioned b. abnormal circumstances, which are
cepr!ying them of the revenues usually derived
Hom customs receipts and per contra, from the
sale Of their national products abroad, but the
history Of the progress Of most of them during
trel years. and the vast resources and unde-
'eioped wealth Of the more important republics
reduce to certainty the proposition that their
future credit and stability beyond all doubt.
In the columns Of the press, in the pages Of the
magazines and on the public platform we have
seen II urged that among other things II is neces-
ssry for the United States to grant loans and for
'ne manufactures TO study tie history and con-
u''lons Of the South American republics and TO
undertake goodness only knows how many other
responsibilities in order 10 obtain larger share
Of their trade
As matter Of fact all these theories and ideas
ale based upon a wholly erroneous view Of the
situation as, if it were otherwise, the business