Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-03-31
BARRETT Tells OF TRADE
OPPORTUNITIES OF SOUTH

John Barrett, director general OF the
Pan-American Union of Washington, d.
c., passing through Atlanta Tuesday en-
route to Montgomery and New Orleans
to deliver addresses on trace opportuni-
ties in the Latin republics, discussed in
terestingly and forcefully with a repre-
sentative of The Journal the special ad-
vantages possessed by the south and by
Atlanta for opening up the great field
of commerce along the Gulf of Mexico
and Caribbean sea and along the west
coast of South America.
Along the gulf and Caribbean" said
Mr.. Barrett, "are twelve countries hav-
ing a combined population of 10000, 900
people and having a combined foreign
trade in 1913, Of S7OO,On0,0OO. Practi-
cally every one of them lies within 1000
miles of Atlanta.
These countries are Mexico, Hon
duras, Haiti, Guatemala, Dominican Re-
public, Cuba, Costa Rica, Colombia, Ven
ezuela, Salvador, Panama and Mica
ragua.
1.-THE annual foreign trade of these
countries increased from $3.50, 000, 900 to
500, O0O, 900 in the ten years from 1908
to 1913. Their trade will increase from
500, coo, 900 to S1.4OO. 100000 within ten
years after the close of the European
war.
1.-THE southern states are in a better
position to take this trade than any
other section of the United States, and
the United States is in a better posi-
ton to take it than any other country.
ct would like to emphasize especial
Is the opportunity in these countries for
Atlanta and other industrial cities of
the southern states.
1.-The countries on the gulf and Carib-
bean are within 1000 miles of Atlanta.
The countries along the west coast of
South America are closer to the SOUTH
ern states, or will be when the Panama
canal is opened, than they are to any
other market in the world.
81 do not mean to give the impression
that these countries present an Ell Do
RADIO. Their trade is not a ripe plum
ready to be picked off the tree. But
It is a great trade and rich trade,
and IL can be developed 100 per cent in
ten years. To get this trade it will
only be necessary for southern manu-
tacturers and exporters to put forth the
same competitive effort that they put
forth to capture trade at home.
I'm the consideration of the whole
subject of South American trade oppor-
tunities, three factors are predominant
I'm Importance. They are a merchant
marine, banking facilities and the en-
actment of legislation by congress to
permit manufacturers to combine for
the development for foreign trade.
European manufacturers are permit
ted by their governments, and in fact
encouraged by their governments, to
combine for the development of foreign
trade. The Sherman act at present pro-
hibits combines where internal trade is
concerned, and while Il does not spe-
4. .t-gA r,v-
eign trade, at the same time it might
be so construed, and, therefore, manu-
facturers need specific permission by
congress to form combines that will
enable them to compete in South Ameri-
ca with the manufacturers of Europe.
"Of course everyone appreciates the
necessity for banking facilities. The
National City Bank Of New York has
established branches in a number of
South American countries that will give
the territory around New York a great
advantage over other sections Of the
country in the development of their
trace.
The bankers of the south should join
together In the establishment of branch
es In the gulf and Caribbean countries
and along the west coast of South
America
"The importance of a merchant marine
is equally plain. What would Allan
tians say of an Atlanta department store
that depended on its competitors to de-
liver it's goods? Tha is precisely the
position the United States finds herself
in with regard to a merchant marine.
We have relied on our competitors, Eng
land, Germany and France, to deliver
our products to the South American
market Not only was our trade Sc
verely handicapped before the European
war, but since the war those countries
have needed all their ships to transport
war supplies and accordingly have with
drawn them and left us stranded with
no ships to transport our products to
| South America.
But we will have a merchant marine.
The country is thoroughly aroused to
| the necessity for It."
Mr.. Barrett was asked whether, in
| his opinion. the present difficulties in
/ Mexico will hinder the promotion of
comercial friendly and peaceful rela-