The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-05-02

is American population. while EuroUNn
Immigration has been heavy.
Those whose enthusiasm led them
to believe that, with Germany out or
the race. the United states could inn
mediately gain the export trade for
merry enjoyed by that country failed
to consider that Latin American pro-
ducing power had shrunk by reason Of
the curtailment OF British investment
and the loss OF the German, Austrian
and other customary European markets
for their products.
Reexportations ~ New York.
"A notable effect Of the war in our
commercial relations with Latin Amer
lea has been the increasing reexporta-
ton Of characteristic Central and South
American products. New York and
other ports Of the United States are now
| important distributing points for inter-
| national commerce. as shown BY the TACT
that exports Of foreign merchandise for
| the eight months ended February. 1915,
were valued at s3s,1ss,6i2. as against
| $2O,541.13s for the same period In the
| previous year. This gain was espe-
cially notable in the case OF cacao. the
| reexports OF which increased more than
fvefold. reaching for the eight months
ended with February total value OF
$2.s35,5s1.
The reexports Of coffee leaped from
| Ss6s.530 to $4.4s2.36s. This was largely
due to tho closure Of Hamburg and con-
ditions prevailing In other European
ports. formerly the centre Of the world
Distributing trade. In comparison with
these Old World centres New York be-
came the greatest open port. ~ reason
] OF restrictions placed upon the export OF
| rubber by the United Kingdom to pre-
vent Its being used By the enemy the
importance q American ports for the
distribution OF india rubber greatly In
creased. the value Of reexports growing
about so per cent.
During the eight months ended Feb
ruary IS, 1915, our exports to all Latin
America and the West Indies were
valued at $l5s,7+2.S63. as compared
with $212.227,55s for the corresponding
period ended February 20. 1914. a de-
crease Of IS per cent. while our world
creased So per cent. Our imports from
tho same countries during the same
period OF the present fiscal year
amounted to $3t6,37%r6S. against 32ss.-
31S,ss1, an increase OF per cent, al
though our world imports decreased 10
per cent.
THE increase in value OF imports
from Latin America 10 largely due to
higher prices Of various products, COM
|
have been changed and New York has
become more active as q distributing
point.
THE demand Of the European bel
ligerents for foodstuffs and supplies has
saved tho situation both In Latin Amer
lea and the United States.
British investors are retaining their
Latin American properties, which will
prove more valuable than ever after the
war. in view Of their freedom from the
heavy taxes which war imposes upon in
vestments in the Unified Kingdom.
"Of greater importance than the inter
est rate is the creation OF a greater ex-
port market for American manufactures
through railway and Industrial loans.
While tho establishment OF dollar
exchange will not, perhaps. entirely re-
place confidence In sterling bills at the
conclusion OF war. a beginning has been
made for American banking. Argu-
ments In favor OF granting six, nine and
twelve months credit do not recognize
the fact that extension OF unusual cred
its was an important factor In the in
dustrial depression preceding the war,
Germany's eagerness for British trade
having led many German Arms to en-
tend credits which deferred merchants
obligations several months beyond the
time when they realized on the pur-
chased goods.
British exporters frequently volun-
tarily suffered the loss OF old and valued
business in preference to extending ex-
cessive credits. and Americans with ex-
perience in Latin American trade are Of
the opinion that the limit Of credit
should he sufficient only to cover the
time required by purchaser to realize on
the goods bought, taking into consd-
Grafton the harvesting and marketing
of crops"
Oscar .. Straas on World Peace.
Oscar s. Straus, speaking on "Amer-
: cas- Possible Contribution to the World s
Peace" said after some preliminary re-
marks:
The question naturally arises: Ha,
America the. right to demand particlpa-
. ton in the conferences OF the belligeren,
, nations following the present war for
the purpose OF arranging for the future
peace of the world? Another question
presents itself: Even II We should no,
, have the right, and in the event that VI
should be Invited by the belligerent ma
: tons as the leading neutral Power &c
: participate in such a conference. can vi
/, do so without implicitly II not expressly
: relinqushing our traditional attitude ot
exclusive control over purely American
: questions?
This contingency will bring to tho
foreground the consideration II not a re-
: versing OF the American traditional pol
. icy as outlined by Washington when h,
/ said: The great rule OF conduct for u.
. in regard to foreign nations IL in ex.
\ tending our commercial relations TO have
with them as little political connection
as possible. AS far as we have aread,
Z formed engaeements, let them be full
: filled with perfect good faith. Here lie
= us stop
|. The question that would present itsel
is: Have not the world relations anC
the interdcpendent interests Of nations
since Washington's admonition wa.
given become so closely and init I FL,
, related that our duty to other nations
as we'll AS to our own enlightened self
, interests make 1t imperative upon VI
/, not to stop hut to unite with the ma
= tons OF the world in such policy. be
-, II by international agreement, by en-
: tering into league with the leadin,
, nations OF the world or by becoming
:, member OF a world federation or b,
uniting in such Joint arrangement al
In the wisdom OF nations may be de
termined upon as the most practica
I and effective for the establishment an,
. maintenance OF the peace Of the world
The federation or league OF all III,
y states in the American Union eirbodie
the ideal II not the plan for a universe
league or federation Of the nations Al
y the surest and safest guarantee for Sc
l curing the permanent peace of IT,
y world"
I Talcott Williams, director Of tn
u School OF journalism Pulitzer Founda
ton, Columbia University. New York
!, / aid I'm