New Britain herald., 1915-11-27

that are fast pressing upon us. With the growth of population the United States is rapidly changing from an agricultural nation to a nation of manufacturers. The past generation has seen big changes in this direc- ton, and the next will see further changes of vastly more cons(t1uence.
 We urgently require foreign markets for our surplus manufactured pro- ducts, and if we intend to sell to others, We must be prepared to buy from them in exchange; for the sim pie reason that all foreign trade in the mass is nothing less nor more than barter, even though in detail the operations may be highly com- plex and delicate. From this it fol- lows that if we wish to export we must be more ready to import; and an enlightened public opinion will in due course of time cease placing ob- stacles in the way of imports, the On- ly method by which our customers can pay for what they buy. Among our leading manufacturers and mer- chants there has been a steadily wid-
 ening recognition of these facts for some years past; ;and vt in spite of their efforts it required the great European war to really awaken pub-
 lie opinion here to the opportunities that lie outside of our own borders.
 That calamity imposed demands up- on American resources beyond all pre- vious imagination. It created gap, which, temporarily at least, only America can fill. These demands fell first upon American financiers, and were met with skill and re- .sourcefulness which astonished the world and ourselves also. The giant of the Western hemisphere has at last awakened to the new door of op- portunity opened by the declaration of war in August, 1914; and already occupies a considerable place in the sun, which is fortunately big enough for all. As just said, American manu- facturers, merchants and bankers are fully conscious of the new opening and are already demonstrating their faith in the future. Our chambers Of commerce, our leading business organ izations, our big exporters and big bankers are taking te initiative; and as an illustration this week $50, ,OOO,- 000 corporation, backed, officered and directed by a number of the ablest and strongest business men in the country completed plans for the development of a great foreign trade. This is substan- tial and practical evidence of whither we are going. There are but two things more necessary for securing a bigger market for American manufacturers, and that is the cooperation of the American investor and American la Dor: both of which can be had if in- telligently reasoned with and led. That trade follows the loan is automatic; which means that in order to sell our merchandise we must be prepared. not only to give credit, but to actually invest abroad. This is a new but ab- solutely recessary departure for the American investor, and he may require both education and experience before venturing. Although the large and quicker profits obtained at home will always command a large degree of preference, the rewards of many home enterprises are settling down to more moderate and stable limits, anl foreign fields begin to offer larger Op portunlties and larger profits than il. the past. especially in view of the inn paired ability of Europe to supply