The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1927-06-29
American
Imperialism
By CY OGDEN.

The Weekly Survey of the Depart
ment of Commerce for June 10th con-
tains an article on the "Growing I'M
portance of the Caribbean Markets."
which helps to explain why American
marines are vacationing in that part
of the world. The article deals only
with the import and export trade and
does not touch on investments which
are an important factor of American
imperialism in this region.
According to the statistics given
here, the total trade in 1926 between
the United States and this territory
(which includes the West Indies, Cen
trail America, and the northern coast
Of South America) amounted to 1884,
050,889. excluding Porto Rico which
is an American possession, and over
81 OPS, 100000 if Porto Rico is in
cluded. Of this latter total about $50
millions were imports and about 46S
millions were exports. There has
been an increase in imports over 1925
but a decrease in exports. The mar
ket depression in Cuban sugar, in
Porto Rico, and in some Of the other
islands during the past year is re-
sponsible for decreases in both i'm
ports and exports to those regions.
The import losses were, however,
more than balanced by the rapid de-
velopment of the petroleum industry
in Venezuela and Colombia. most Of
the oil being shipped to the United
States.
Petroleum, sugar and tobacco are
the main raw materials that this sec
ton supplies to the United States.
In return it absorbs machinery and
manufactured products. The depart
ment of commerce urges American
business men to export their products
to this region and speaks Of the "de-
STABILITY of a more intense develop
ment of this area" It points out that
American exports in 1926 were one
and half times greater than they
were before the war and states that
American business Occupies fav-
ored position in the Caribbean mar
ket and has long enjoyed large per-
centage Of the total trade"
Several reasons are given for the
predominance of American exports in
the Caribbean, among which are the
network of steamship lines radiat-
ing from the United States" which
facilitate trade, the closeness of the
territory to the United States and
"the fact that American manufac-
turers are large scale producers of
the commodities which must be pur-
chased" Other factors NOT men
toned in the report are the control
over the economic life of the Carib-
bean by American banks and the ma
rines and warships which make this
control effective.
The recent development of the pc
troleum on the northern coast of
South America has helped to spur on
the enthusiasm of American capital
for making these parts Of the world
"safe for democracy" The develop
ments in Venezuela are somewhat old
er than those in Colombia and are
now producing on an average Of 30
million barrels Of oil year.
of the odium in which the traction
magnates found themselves as re-
suit Of the expose, to organize the
employees. But perhaps he was only
feigning surprise Perhaps Inter
myer knows his labor takers as well
as we do.
THE money that Ivy Lee spent on
increased-fare publicity was taken
out Of the pockets of the traction
patrons of New York City. The COM
panies have plenty Of money to spend
on publicity quacks and for dividend
payments, but none to pay decent
wage. The solution Of the wage
problem is up to the rank and file.
Frayne, Coleman and O'Shea will not
help to solve 1t.
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