The Washington herald., 1919-07-06
LATIN AMERICAN
TRADE BOOMING
War Gives U. S. Chance
With Neighbors to South,
Asseverates Holland.

-Four years ago the international
trade between the United States and
South America was so small as to be
almost negligible. in spite Of the fact
that some of the foremost minds in
American life had already called at
tention to the opportunity for devel-
oping a trade with South America
which In time might become as large
as our trade with Great Britain
At least ten years ago James still
man. having returned to the United
States after a brief sojourn In Eng
land and France. spoke with enthusi-
asm of the opportunity which await
ed. perhaps the younger men Of the
United States. to foster trade with
South America To do that success
fully. Mr.. StiIlman said would re-
Quire at least training of five years
Of American representatives who
were sent to South America They
must learn the language. They must
have good understanding of the busi-
ness customs. characteristic of the
South American people. They must
cultivate urbanity and that kind of
social charm with which the people
OF South America, at least the lead
ers. are familiar. They must refrain
from bustling hustling methods and
learn the fine art of business diplo-
macy. These things having been done
Mr. Stillman predicted that there
would follow an amazing increase IN
our purchase of. South American COM
modities. especially raw material
Little heed was paid to Mr.. Still
mans suggestion although some of
the leaders in larger industries, espe-
cially electrical apparatus and equip
ment. did enter the South American
markets and one OF them gained con-
siderable success. Theodore N. Vail,
went to South America in order to
establish electrical and trolley sys-
tens and he was so successful that
he was able after a few years sojourn
there to return to the United States
and retire to his farm in Vermont.
War Changes Policy.
These, however, were only incident
al approaches to the great South
American markets. Then came the
unexpected and amazing changes
which was occasioned by the out
break of the European war. There
began practically an embargo upon
commerce between the South Amer
ican nations and Europe. No other
country than the United States Of
fered opportunities to the people of
South America who needed various
commodities which they formerly
bought in England or upon the con-
tinent OF Europe. Gradually there
appeared in American Industrial and
financial centers representatives of
the South American nations who were
sent here to see whether or not they
could make satisfactory bargains.
On the other hand the United States
began to buy heavily of South Amer
lean raw material. especially the
commodities of that kind which for
merry they obtained elsewhere. So
that at last when the armistice was
signed it was discovered that within
four years our international trade
with South America combined with
our trade with Canada represented an
aggregate larger than our trade with
any other country. excepting of course
that with our allies who were COM
PEELED by the exigencies of the war
to buy munitions and food here.
These purchases. however. were of a
Kind which would be maintained only
while the war lasted.
II James G. Blaine were alive he
would read with qualification the re-
port Of the proceedings of the PAN