Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-12-25

from Argentina.
There should be no objection to measuring,
in terms of dollars and cents and trade sta
tstics such ethereal things as good will and
sympathetic understanding. Unless good will
stands the test of healthy commercialism 1t
does not amount to a whole lot. The mer-
chant who counts upon bouquets and lofty
sentiments alone as expressions of the good
will and trust of his customers will soon give
up business in disgust and embrace something
basic, such sweeping streets or peddling
Christmas trees. Trade is based on good UNI
Outstanding. Increase in one is sign Of and
is accowpa MED by an increase in the other.
The World War demonstrated the interdepend
of the American republics. The war
diverted channels of commerce previously
flowing east and west the Atlantic. into
new ones flowing north and south. New mar
kets were created in Latin America for United
States products; Latin American countries
found new markets for their wares in the
United States. And after the World War; in
stead Of decreasing and reverting to old chan
nels this commerce has increased and stuck
to the new channels. The for 1t has
been mutual satisfaction, which means trust
and good will
In view of the annually increasing COM
merce between the United States and the Latin
American countries it is not reasonable to be-
heve that any great or insurmountable OBJ
stacles remain which seriously affect this COM
to the obstacles impedments. To smooth
them away would be to facilitate commerce.
But they are not to be pictured as dams. hold
ing back this commerce, to remove them to
let loose food. These impedments. however
do obstruct trade. and some of the efforts Of
the strong delegation selected to represent the
United States at Havana next month will be
directed toward their removal One OF the
main uses of diplomacy is to keep clear and
protect nations trade routes And much
diplomacy must enter into the removal Of these
impedments TO commerce which remain to
slacken the flow Of goods-not only between
the United States and the countries of Latin
America, but from the world into the coun.
tries Of Latin America. The impediments have
been built up through the years, and they
have their foundation in customs and trad
tons which differ from the customs and ira.
ditions of the United States. The task of the
United States is not to destroy these imped
ments by a method of its own devising but
10 cooperate in finding solutions beneficial to
all concerned
Some Of the commercial questions listed on
the agenda of the Havana conference are Of
more importance to the United States than
HtHy are TO Latin America. There In, for In.
stanc'- the question OF trade marks copyrights
and patents In the United States the basis
for tradr mark protection Is its use In Latin
America she basis for protection Is registra-
vis"s and uses trade mark establishes his
right TO DO protected in it's use In Latin
American countries registration OF trade
mark no matter by whom, assures protection
OF it's use to the person who registered it,
This has resulted in the piracy Of trade marks
the method OF the pirate being TO register n
trade mark and demand of It's rghtful owner
a sum OF money before sure ndering il for
legitimate use. Efforts OF two previous inter.
national meetings Of the American states to
solve this difficulty by establishing an inter.
American trade mark registration bureau have
not been successful In this case the United
States IL In effect faced with the delicate task
or seeking a change in the traditional customs
and laws of the Latin American countries
when the change will benefit. almost wholly
the United States. There il no probability
that change in the methods practiced in the
United States. founded on common instead OF
civil law, will be sought. The problem is to
arrive at "A solution which will change neither
the North American nor South American Gus.
tom. but will recognize the merits of both.
And the United States will base It's contention
for change on the fact that the long standing
difficulties over trade marks arise from fradu.
lent intent and are not brought about by piac.
tees based good faith.
In the United States the consular fee on
imports Is fixed and represents a nominal