New-York tribune., 1916-07-23

luC lhVt OA cSANhb PANitNiNN - ~'' ~
cellent illustration Of the Importance to
the United States of its representatives
abroad.
Exercise Of Police Power.
II goes without saying that there are
countries where governments are mere
shells, and the exercising of police
power on the part of the United States
sometimes becomes necessary in the
maintenance of civilization and protec-
tion of life and property. There is lit
tie doubt, however, that in years gone
by there were times when we were al
together too free in following the
monarchial fashion of using power in
Discriminatory, on the theory that
might was right" Influences brought
to bear through the press for many
years kept alive resentment of these
peoples against US for some of the
hasty things our government did far
from home, without any understanding
on the part of our own citizens of
what was really behind the action
taken. 1t is very common in South and
Central American countries for news
papers TO be owned by European in
terests. In some cases it is an open
secret that European governments
finance these journalistic enterprises,
maintaining them for the express pur-
pose of aiding the development Of their
own commerce and promoting their own
political schemes. These journals lose
no opportunity to misrepresent the peo-
pie of the United States. For years the
news printed in some of these papers
concerning American events was of the
most misleading character. - This is
still true, but to much less extent
" hn
hand, in every one of the important
countries there are great newspapers
controlled by their own citizens, which
are not only entirely fair in their at
titude toward the United States, but ex-
tremely cordial and anxious to promote
cooperation in every way. These news
papers represent the very highest kind
of journalism. There are none in the
United States or anywhere else su-
perior to them in equipment for deal
ing with news events and in the char
acter of their editorial stats. They
WELD a tremendous influence, and they
are doing more to-day in advancing the
common ideals of democracy and CO.
North and South America than any
other single force. This, with the fact
that the leading South American coun-
tries were invited TO cooperate with us
in a frank and friendly way in trying
TO secure q settlement of the Mexican
question, has almost completely elimi-
mated the feeling of suspicion toward
US in South America.
Danger in Situation
Right now, however, there is danger
of a revival of the unfriendly sentiment
of former years because of the per-
formances Of inexperienced business
houses seeking to extend their trade.
There has been a rush, on the part OF
representatives of comparatively few
houses as if TO a new FL Dorado. With
the impetuosity of amateurs, lot OF
statesmen from the United States
swooped down on some of the leading
countries year ago, bent on capturing
their trade by storm. Many of them
were unable to speak the language, but
did business through interpreters.
Some of them were working on commits
sion wholly. They made all kinds OF
and prices which were unwarranted. In
all too many cases their attitude did
not stimulate admiration, but the South
American merchants needed the goods
and were willing to try a few expert
ments. The salesman passed on after
sending his orders home; then came
demands on the customer by cable for
a deposit of cash in New York before
the consignment would be shipped, or
an announcement that the price of the
goods had changed and they could not
be delivered at the figure made by the
representative. In other instances, de-
livery was promised on certain dates,
and purchasers were even advised that
the goods had been delivered on ship
board, but the merchandise did not
come as per advice, or it did not appear
for weeks after II had been promised.
It must be remembered that all these
incidents represented but small part
Of our commerce: They were unusual,
but there have been enough OF them
1reaten the further development OF
lTapidly increasing good will The
blame for much Of this sort of thing
rests largely with irresponsible houses,
but there are others of good standing,
whose management of their export do
partments is indicative Of the densest
ignorance.
Need Of Combination.
II II Congress passes the recommends
ton of our Federal Trade Commission.
permitting the combination of small
, manufacturers in developing their busi-
ness abroad, it is likely to have an
effect on this situation which has not
been anticipated. Well organized COM
binations of this sort are able. because
Of their financial resources. to employ
first class men, and intelligent organi-
zations will prevent depredationo by ir-
responsible adventures, for they must
plan for q permanent place in the field
and protect business standing and rep
utation at all hazards.
Aside from this much needed reform.
the time has come when the people of
the United States must consider more
critically the kind of ministers and
other public servants it sends out into
the world. II is dangerous, not only
10 our foreign commerce, but to our
peace 20 place in such positions incom-
petents with large capacity for STIR
ring up unnecessary trouble. Here
again, am not drawing a general in
dictment against our representatives
abroad. The great majority of them
are gentlemen Of capacity and skill.
despite the feelings that are often made
at the "shirt-sleeve" diplomacy OF the
United States. In the main, the very
openness and frankness of our meth.
DDS in dealing with questions abroad
bring far better results than the indi-
rection and duplicity. which character