The sun., 1919-01-27
WARNING TOBRITONS
IN SOUTH AMERICA
London and River Plate Bank
Tells of Measures Need
ed to Hold Trade.

IN its report showing record volume
OF business the London and River Plate
Bank announces a dividend OF $3.50 n
share. and in its remarks TO shareholders
makes some points revealing to Ameri-
can exporters the fight they will have to
wage TO get and hold South American
markets That the Londoners realize
conditions Is seen in the following part
OF the annual statement;
Keen anxiety is manifested among
the British communities OF the various
republics from the great merchant
houses to the smallest traders, to de-
ve.op British commerce. These conf
munities are not animated by self inter-
est only they realize. as we do at home.
that the prosperity Of Britain depends
more than ever on its overseas trade
and that this trade must be largely in-
creased II our war debts are to be salts
factorily met and wages maintained at
q suitable level.
1T IL OF tho utmost Importance that
our merchants. bankers. manufacturers
and ship owners should strain every
nerve to extend our commercial interests
| abroad. and nowhere let our competitors
steal march on ia where ~ can be
avoided
More COnsuls Are Called For.
"Our international trade would be
| materially assisted by a further develop
ment in the appointment OF Consuls-
| General or Consuls and by a wider crea-
ton of commercial attaches at onr lep,-
tons. Men for all these nosts should he
suit,hly trained includine a THOROUGH
knowledge of the language ~ the cow.
try IN which thew are 10 reside and
| they should be alternately maid for tho
maintenance OF their nositions The
| should not be Frequently changed 10,
otherwise the benefits which can alone
arise from local experience are lost
Speaking OF some matters connected
with South American countries in which
the banks branches are established the
| report says:
Owing to abnormal conditions brough,
about by the war difficulties have beer
more than usually present,
! "Argentlna as a food producer con.
! tInues TO expand Last seasons whea,
crop was above the average. but onl,
one-haif Of the exportable surplus ha,
been sent out because OF the shorta ga q,
| tonnage. Our manager at Buenos AWE,
estimates the surpluses OF the comins
crops as follows: Wheat, 2,s75, 900 tons
linseed. 500 900 tons, and oats. $50 ool
tons
Dis "P =" D'"''""' hates.
From a banking point OF view condi.
tions in the Argentine have not been al
together satisfactory during the psrIod
under notice. The plethora of money
| brought discount rates down to nm IN.
80, ~ 80 anu me ma ~" OF
hand our deposits continue to increase
which would be entirely master OF
satisfaction were It not that we have
been obliged 10 keep unnecessarily large
reserves owing to want OF employment
OF money. Labor troubles were preva,
lent. chiefly in connection with the rail
ways. The Argentine Government, &c,
cording 10 tradition, has faithfully com.
piled with the services Of its debts"
Brazil. the report says. promises to be
come n most important suppl!er OF meat
to European and other countries. Othe,
points made are:
Brazil, Notwithstanding shipping dif
ifcultes OF various kinds, has experience,
prosperity owing 10 enhanced prices oh
tanned from It's produce and the manu-
facturers OF the country have also en-
joyed good times. The balance Of trad,
in favor OF Brazil, although not SO grea
as In former years. Ia still satlsfac Glory
Severe frosts have done great damag,
TO the coffee plartations-some estimate
placing the loss as high as one-th!rd q
the plants. Anyway, II Is expected tina