The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1921-05-27
Aims Of the American Chamber
of Commerce for the Leyant
Are Set Forth.
TO OPEN UP IMMENSE FIELD
constantlnople Destined 70 Become
shs "chIcsgo OF Europe" says New
President OF OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
tunIty for American Capital.

tined to become the Chicago OF
Europe" according to an Interview
authorized by Mr.. Lucien irving
Thomas, director Of the Standard
OIL company of New York, which com
pany has extensive interests through
out Asia and the Balkan states.
Mr.. Thomas lately returned from
visit 10 Europe. Il learned, while
In London, that had been elected
president of the American chamber OF
commerce for the Leyant," said Mr..
Thomas. II refer to the newly-organ-
| ICED American section Of the chamber,
now maintaining headquarters In New
York. 1t will cooperate with the long
established chamber of the same name
| which has Its seat In Constantinople
"The organization of this chamber
is a timely movement 70 promote re-
| cIprocal trade relations between Amer
lea and that great Notwithstanding
from Egypt to Russia, and from Per-
| sia to Italy--of which Constantinople
l Ia the center.
Gateway to Vast Empires.
''yery few people appreciate that
Europe and Asia meet at the feet OF
Constantinople," continued Mr.. Thorn
4 as. "The chain Of waters, the OAR
danelles, the Sea of Marmora and the
Bosphorus, made available for free
commerce, open the gateway TO vast
empires of populous and fertile terri
tories beyond. When we realize that
Russia, a country considerably more
than twice as large as the United
States, has few seaports that are not
ice-bound for the greater part of the
year, except those situated on the
Black sea, we may imagine what
enormous traffic will flow through Con-
stantinople when Russia, with hum
bred million of her people nearby,
gets into her commercial stride"
"Then consider Roumania, now with
twice her former area--a country of
great natural resources, with pres
ent population of 15,000000. Bulgaria
too, noted for sturdy and industri-
GUS population, has her commercial
outlet on the Black sea. And even
on the farther side of the. Black sea
is a group Of states which eventually
must occupy an important place in
overseas trade.
''Jugo-Slavia, now vast in area by
comparison with Old Serbia, with
substantial natural resources and q
population of over 14,000,000 has, Of
course, one trade outlet via the Adri
! attic, and another via the Danube tc
the Black sea. Without any doubt the
, Danube is soon to play much more
I Important part in the trade of the
Balkan states than It has ever dont
: in the past.
: Has Natural Wealth.
Both Jugo-Slavla and Greate
Greece will hold more importan
position than now in the Levantin,
! trade of the future Egypt is growinl
i into land of commercial significance
While certain territories have beef
detached from Turkey since the wal
there remains much fertile and valu
n able land Turkey is rich in mineral
i Of all kinds.
''The war ana Its aftermath upse
exchange throughout the Near East
X and this has made commercial trans
n actions difficult for the present. Blu
the natural wealth Is there; and
: population for the most part industr
Gus. Trade must surely grow.
"A high official of an internationt
bank, one whoeis recognized as havin
unusually broad and accurate know
edge of Ottoman financial matter
stated to me at Constantlnople this
In Turkey fully 65,000,000 in gold
boarded by the people in 'stocking-le
banks and not deposited at all wit
the public bankers. In this come
tion II should be remembered that II
oriental mind is accustomed to thin
financially, In terms of hard none,
and that prior to the European W,
only gold and silver were in circul
tion,-to any extent, in Turkey, The
Is evidence that great private veal
exists there today, in gold, silver al
Jewels, not to mention other valuable
and this wealth win come into Il
current market as trade returns
normal
THE Levant offers a splendid 0
portunity for the investment Of Anne
lean capital, IN wide range of g
terprises. One OF the great openin
Of the present Is for the constructs
of dwellings, warehouses, harbor 4
provements, and so forth. Constan
nople alone has lost $4,000 TO 800
houses by fire since the war begf
and affords a magnificent opportunl
for housebuilding activity. / knt
for fact that the Turkish authoritl
would welcome anyone coming the
for the purpose and that they wor
even he glad TO offer concessions. I
prevailing spirit Is progressive, Nj
ern Industrial equipment, too, Is n
sought where formerly II v
Stunned. / recall that long ii
ago. rlor to the coming into pow
OF the Young Turk party, busin