The New York herald., 1920-12-06
REVIVAL EXPECTED
In LATIN AMERICA
Countries Are Readjusting
Themselves to Changed Con-
ditions Due to End Of War.
PRODUCTIVE POWER SAME
Business Men in United States
Advised to Keep in Touch
With Market.

There IS every reason to believe that
the present Latin American situation is
due to temporary influences which
should in no way hinder the eventual
development OF stronger commercial re-.
Iations between those countries and the
United States. according TO the Guaranty
Trust Company's semi-monthly survey
OF international trade. "American Goods
and Foreign Markets."
South Americas newly acquired un-
favorable trade balance with the United
States, accompanied by q depreciation
Of her currency in relation TO the dollar
has created q situation which Is quick
to reflect conditions in this country ana
which has been aggravated by the down
ward trend of United States commodity
prices The trade survey says further
Latin American countries, like prac-
tically all other countries in the world
are adjusting themselves to the changed
conditions brought about by the war.
Southern productive power is normal and
South America possesses wealth Of
natural resources for which there Is a
worldwide demand. BUSINESS men in the
United States. therefore. cannot afford
to divert their attention from this Inn
portant market. even though present
conditions may have occasioned some
uneasiness.
Our trade relations with foreign coun-
tries can never be regarded as static or
permanently stable. There are too many
changing and powerful inffuences-po-
! litical. financial and commercial--that
constantly affect them, both at home
and abroad for this to be possible For
| the last three or four years our export
| ers have had an exceptionally favorable.
opportunity and position in Sonth ana
| Central American markets. This speci@l
advantage no longer exists, however. 80
Ear as most of them are concerned. Fu-'
| ture trade must be won and held in open
and keen competition with highly trained
rival nations
| Superior service. exact knowledge of
trade requirements and strict compliance
| with them, wise policies in regard to
credit terms, careful fulfilment OF Gus
/ toner's instructions and proper and skill
| ful handling Of orders will all be increas-
| ingiy important. There can never be.
permanent success in this field for firms
whose methods are slovenly or who are
inconsiderate Of tlieir foreign clients. We
have nothing whatever on which to base
any belief that these markets VIII ever
give us any special preference IN their
buying. In fact. by racial origin. GUS
toms and historical development these
countries are much more closely bound
| to tho European nations, and we can
overcome this handicap only by showing
! spec" skill and understanding in every.
| detan OF the handling of our trade rela-
tions 18th them.
During the year ended June 80, 1920.
our trade with South America. imports
and exports incluced totalled $1,351,-
ssS.479. The balance against US in
! South America was $370.000.121. Tho
adverse balance In Cuba was S24S.9 .976,-
779. We had small favorable balance,
however. In Central America. It Is thus
plain that a special effort Is required to
strengthen our export position. That
can be accomplished to-day only by the
| expert handling of this commerce.