New-York tribune., 1917-06-24
Benefits from Increasing
Wealth Widely Difused

The effect of constructive invest
ments which develop the natural re-
sources of country and create new
demands for its labor are well un-
derstood in all new countries. All
countries eagerly invite them. There
is no city in the United States which
does not give a hospitable reception
to outside capital, and the same is
true of other countries. When the
Pan-American Congresses are held
in this country, the mission Of every
delegate from Latin America is to
invite capital to come down and de-
velop his country.
1t is a superficial view Of inter-
national investments to regard them
as beneficial only to the capitalists
who make them. It has been to the
advantage Of all the people of Eng
land that English capital has been
invested in foreign countries. 1t has
enlarged the industries Of England
and brought cheaper food and sup
plies TO the country. Better economic
results are often obtainable by in
vestments in a new country than in
an old one. The construction of
railways in Western Canada has
done more TO increase the food sup
rlv than could have been done by
any investment of British capital at
home. It is in the interest of the
whole world that new sources Of
food and raw materials shall be
opened up. 1t has been beneficial to
the millions everywhere that foreign
capital has increased the supply Of
food from Argentina and Brazil, and
the supply of copper and nitrate
from Chile, and Of tin from Bolivia,
and of rubber and tea from Asia
and Of copper and silver and oil
from Mexico. This is the natural,
orderly, inevitable process by which
industrial progress spreads from
country to country and the benefits
! Of increasing wealth are diffused
throughout the world.
), 1t is desirable that these invest
ments by the advanced countries
. shall be made; that this spread and
, diffusion Of wealth shall occur; that
) the waste places shall be developed
! and that the production of those
f things which minister to the COM
| fort and well being of mankind shall
r be increased. But there are difficult
- ties attendant upon it, growing out
r OF the mingling of races and civil
$ ization strange to each other and of
- different degrees Of culture; difficult
r. ties, too, growing out of the rival
d ries of nations and their eagerness
p 10 obtain access 10 new supplies Of
- food and raw materials, to be able
, 70 pay for them with their own
, products, and to be assured that
b they will not be excluded from them
B. by the strategy Of a rival country.
Home Government Expected
To Protect Investments
Among the difficulties are those
. arising from the instability Of gov
. ernments, resulting from a lack of
experience or development among
these backward peoples in the
science of social organization and
government. They do not always
understand the Importance Of social
order, Of stable and permanent poll
cies, and of the sanctity of agree
wents. The development Of modern
industry requires longtime invest
ments, and there must be at least
a fair assurance of security from
public disorder and injustice, or the
. investments will not be made.
Under the circumstances, it is
, natural and proper when an invest
ment in a foreign country suffers
!. unjust treatment at the hands of
, the government Of that country, or
. fails to receive the protection which
. governments are expected 20 give,
that the investors shall appeal to
their home governments for help;
and it is natural and proper that
; under such circumstances the home
government shall make representa-
. tons in their behalf. It is a recog-
n'zcd obligation o. all governments
8 % interest themselves in behalf of
r their nationals when travelling or So
D. joprning outside Of the home coun-
p try 10 the extent Of protecting them
i7 Che tight. which are guaranteed
by exsting treaties II ~ one of
the fundamental 4aISesss for which