Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-05-04

To-day, however, we are more inter-
ested in preparedness for peace and
those political and commercial problems
that come with IT. One of our most
distinguished alumni in a recent address
gave it as his opinion that the war in
Europe is a struggle between democracy
and sovereignty. IF this be true and
democracy should triumph. the political
Influence and example of the United
States, the most successful experiment
In democracy the world has evr seen,
Will be greater than ever before. Our
advice In the peace conference will be
sought; our opinion in world councils
VIII carry weight our ideals. principles
and forms of government may be adopt
ed in Europe as they have been in the
sister republics of South America. This
prospect should stimulate our young
people to the most thoughtful study of
history, political economy, civil govern
ment and international politics in or
der that they may help to shape the
destiny OF our country that 1t may be-
come an example worthy of emulation
throughout the world. Freedom Justice
truth, service must mean more than
ideal conditions under which the people
of this country shall live. These virtues
must characterize our relations with tn"
peoples of other lands
OF our foreign commercial problems I
want to speak more at length. Com
parativcly few people seem to appre d.
ciatc the Importance to any country Of
its export trade. The ordinary Amcri-
can cannot soc how the exchange of
commodities with China. Australia or
Egypt can affect his success or happi-
ness. In fact, the large majority OF
people do not think deeply enough to ap-
preciate The true significance of our
balance of trade"
If we are to compete in the markets
of the world, our prices must be MS row
as our competitors, and low unit cost
can only he obtained by operating our
factories to their full capacity Bust
ness in the United States has had its
ups and downs according to changes in
politics, tariff conditions and other dis
turbing factors. If we had a large for
eign trade. 1t is quite probable that the
operation of our plants would remain
more nearly normal over a considera BILE
period. because it quite often happens
that when business is poor at home, it
is good abroad. and our foreign markets
then would permit the full operation Of
our industries during a period OF do
mcstic depression.
As matter of fact We have had up
to the present time no well-estahlishcd
policy of foreign trade. While the gov
ernments of most European nations
nave gone to great length to foster and
Increase their outside commerce, our
own government has never eXerted it.
self even to protect our transactions
with foreign countries
, If we are to have a foreign trade Of
sufficient size and character to be Of
real benefit to our people, it must be
encouraged by a tariff policy taken out
Of politics and placed in the hands of
an expert commission. The tariff can
then be used rs Canada and other coun-
tries use it, - IA means of bargaining
| for the promotion of trade.
Transportation and finance are the
vehicles of an export trade You know
what an important part they have play
ed in Europe's commerce with South
America. The new republics of that
| continent have been developed almost
entirely by European enterprise. We
have had no share worth mentioning in
| their commerce, primarily because we
were too busy developing our own coun-
| try. but also because we have lacked
! the ships and the money to carry on
! TINS trade. England, Germany, France,
| spain and Italy have not only coonized
! these republics TO the South, but they
have financed and developed them and
/ in return have benefited by a tremend-
Gus trade. They have taken tie raw ma
terials-the beef, the wool. the grain.
/ the nitrates-of South America in ex-
, change for their own manufactured
commodities. To do this European
countries have loaned great quantities
of money for the development of en-
terprise in South America. Its railroads
its industries, even its governments
have been largely financed with pounds
marks and francs. And to facilitate the
trade thus secured Europe has establish
ed steamship lines running from Lisbon
Bremen and Liverpool to Rio de Janeiro
Buenos Aires and Santiago.
With our vast wealth our grea-
hoardines of gold and our increasing
money for investment. our public mus
be educated in foreign securities out
banks must scrutnize foreign loan.
and a system of international financins
dollar the standard of exchange. Here
tofore the pound sterling has been tn
unit by which the finance of the worlc
has been computed, but with the recen
flow Of gold to our country and tn
high rate of exchange which the Ameri
can dollar maintains to-day, there is n
doubt that we shall have grea
opportunity at the end of this war I
maintain this advantage and increase tn
importance of New York as n financia
center
Citizenship means more to-day tina,
ever before. Our life is so complex
our problems so numerous that the re
sponsibiity of the individual to tn
community has thereby become greatl
! magnified and | believe the first ste
In assuming the broader and large
, obligations lies in a thorough realization
, OF the problems of state, of development
, and of commerce. have tried t
picture to you some of those problem
that pertain particularly to our foreig
relations. If you have become thorough
{ ly alive to their reality and Importance
| know you will be eager to have n larg
part in their solution So in conclusio
! want to urge something rather specifi
In the matter Of education for prepare
, ton to cope with problems such as
have enumerated. This does not ind
? cate any lack OF appreciation Of tn
s broadcast education in the classics
, science and literature: on the contrar,
Q believe that these subjects lie at tn
D very foundation of true education. r,
| | tf