The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-06-28

merce, Boards of Trade and other
commercial organizations, but the uni
versities. the colleges, the public and
! private schools, and all Kinds of civic
and social societies, should take up
the practical study of Latin-Amer-
lean countries and peoples. their Ian
guages. their geography, their re-
sources. their possibilities. their poll
tics and their progress. The people
of the United States should learn to
know Iatin-America better than
Europe, and as they have begun to
know Asia--in fact, they should
know Iatin-America better than
Europe or Asia because all these
countries south of the United Stat es
won their independence through the
example of the United States, and
all OF them have practically written
their constitutions upon the constitu-
zion of this Government. They
are inspired by the same historical
ambitions for the future
Already Have Advantage.
Already the United States has
great advantage In Lati-America
which must be followed up by
competition of Europe which will
surely follow the end of this great
war. T1fe value OF The total COM
rnerce of the United States with the
twenty countries OF Latin America in
1913 exceeded $s0o,000,000, while
that of Great Britain was $40, OOo, 900
and that of Germany about $4,000
600. But the impression has gone
abroad that the United States is a
lagsard instead Of leader, because
In several of the big countries of
tfs.v< n A al
gil Argentina and Chile--Great Bril-
tain and Germany are ahead of the
United States In the volume and value
of trade@exchanged.
The great object now to be con-
sidered Is that CT making the United
States first in the foreign trade of
each and all of these countries. and
that In the big problem today before
the bankers. financiers and CONNER
cial leaders OF Maryland land the
United States. The future progress
and development of United States
commerce with Latin-America de-
Ponds largely upon two vital con-
ditions: First. Banking facilities; and
second, transportation or shipping IA
cilities II will never be possible for
the trade OF Maryland and of the
United States to reach desired pro-
portions under the best auspices until
there are the closest banking relations
between the principal exporting and
Importing centars of the United States
and the corresponding points OF LATIN
America. Already a great bank OF
New York city has taken a step for
ward along this line, but its EFFORTS
must be followed by corresponding
efforts on the part of other great
baking institutions, either now estab-
tablishei or.to be established In the
future. Considering the vast banking
resources of Maryland. Pennsylvania,
Delaware, New Jersey and Virginia.
1t would seem just as feasible and
practical for the banking interests of
those States to be properly represent
ed throughout Iatin-America as are
corresponding interests OF New York
State.
Practical Preliminary Steps.
Considering the practical steps to
be taken, there seems TO be three
opportunities open worthy of the con-
stderation of the bankers OF MARYLAND /
and the surrounding States: First the /
establishment. by some great bank nowj
In existence of branches In the princi- |
pat cap llaIss centers and ports OF I
Latin America. second the organixa-
ton OF a new bank in one OF the !
principal cities OF this section--suchi
as baltimore or Phiiadelphta--for the |
stock Of which capital viii be SUBJ
scrtbea by prfvate parties or COM
paHies. to do business In IAtin-Amer-
aea; ,ers third. the organization of@af
pank, under the regulations or the /
Federal Reserve Act and for which /
the capital stock win be subscribed
BY Inc various hanks m this section
under th& turisdiction rs khMx 49,