New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-07-16
South American Trade
Offers u. S. Big Future
Commercial Preparedness, Courage Presidency and Fair
Dealing Will Rapidly Gain for This Countrys
Business Our Neighbors' Respect

England's business continued to grow
Regularly, and she remained in first
place. Germany simply took a part of
the growth. Tie United States did the
sAr.e wherever il entered into intelli-
gent competition.
British Commercial War.
Great Britain is now leaving nothing
undone TO destroy the German organ
ization in South America The pro-
gramme being followed in the Argen-
tine is typical. As a part of il, every
merchant has been obliged to turn into
the British local authorities a sworn
statement of all the concerns he is
doing business with. These are inves-
tigated 10 see il there are any German
connections. If such are found the
merchant is warned that he must stop
business with the suspected firm at
once or he cannot enjoy British credit.
The Argentine business men, for eX
ample. connot do business with any
house in the United States having Ger
man connections of any character. In
repeated instances merchants dealing
with American houses having a few
German employees have been called in by
British banks and informed that their
credit would be stopped if they con-
tinued their relations. With German
business dead and German banks doing
little business. Great Britain now DOM
mates the banking situation. and banks
are being used in many ways TO con-
duct commercial warfare.
Incidentally. the English are losing
no opportunity to put obstacles in the
90 IaVa1onv,on+
American believes British commerce is
not now eXerting itself to the utmost
and, incidentally, keeping a sharp eye
on the United States, he is deceiving
himself. The anti-German campaign is
being carried in some directions TO the
point where il does not inspire admira-
ton, TO say the least. The British tao
tics are melting much resentment
among South American business men,
who are strongly pro-Ally, and reac-
ton which will seriously injure British
interests is likely.
No Price-Cutting War.
The keenest South American bust
ness men do not believe there will be
a vigorous price-cutting war between
England and Germany at the close of
the European conflict. They say neither
of these countries can afford 10 do
business at loss. England knows
that she cannot drive Germany out of
the South American market by cutting
prices. She appreciates that such an
attempt would simply mean cut-throat
competition and immense losses with
out any substantial result.
England no more than Germany can
afford to face such losses, as past ex-
perience has shown. Therefore, Eng
land is now turning her attention 70
Gripping the German machinery
abroad. She believes il will take Ger
many a long while and much money 10
rebuild her organizations and be ready
for business. This will give England
a big advantage in the first years after
the war.
A good many South Americans be
lieve the only opportunity for real
competition is from the United States:
Practically every business man OF
prominence with whom | talked be-
iieved that American competition IN
the sale of goods and investment OF
capital was absolutely essential 70 the
further development of the South
American countries. They were ready
10 encourage it in every possible way
and believed there could be no ques-
ton about our progress if we really
intended to do business on rlgn'
basis.
Experience thus far demonstrates
that if American manufacturers are
going TO open up new business in South
America they must make some real
study of the problems involved. J. ne
American manufacturer who is think
inc of the South American field, but
who has had no experience in 1t, should ,i.1
begin by making a thorough analysis
Of il as it affects his line. This does
not mean sending to South America
some understudy who welcomes the ne
opportunity for a vacation, or some
man in the sales department who THINKS
he would like to see what the heid is
like. but is poorly fitted for real IN
vestigation There has been an alarm I'm
ing number of travellers representing
inonortant business men in the Uniteu
States who have analysed Argentine as
an export field by riding around
Buenos Aires in taxicab.