The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-05-16
A Declaration of War

x1yts, Herbert Hoover was elected President the
question arose as to he would spend his time pc
tween November and Inauguration in March Mucn
advice was given and many things suggested for him
To do to contribute in advance the of his adj
ministration.
FINALLY he decided on the one thing among all 9TH
ers which was most important for him to accomplish
Much to the surprise of his advisers and feow-cit-
zens that most important thing turned out to be
trip to South America.
Naturally there was criticism of such an unprece-
dened plan Why should the President-eec go gadding
about in foreign parts when he ought to be familiar
izing himself with the problem of governing his own
country? 1t never had been done before it was rank
heresy.
Alter a while the riddle of Hoover's queer conduct
was solved It seemed that he was not going off on
iov ride at ALL He was not going to study foreign
political conditions He going good Will tour
that is he was going to quiet the Latin American
protests against our trade barriers and to create
friendly conditions for increased American sales in
those countries.
Hoover. in his eight years as secretary of COM
merce had discovered that our prosperity depended
on export markets. Our home market virtually had
been absorbed, Our mass production system was
turning out 10 per cent surplus That surplus was
the difference between hard times and prosperity
III IL could DC QlSpOSeu VI dDAOau OuA AIHuSuS 0A@
employment would boom; if the surplus could not be
sold abroad plants would have to shut down ana
the workers walk the streets.
With this critical condition facing us, the indus
tries of Europe after long maladjustment from the
war were beginning function efficiently and to sup
ply the European markets which had held tenn
porary We could not expect to increase exports
much in that direction. Also. conditions in the far
east what with recurring civil and financial in
stability we're not good large increases in Yankee
trade
Hence Hoover's trade trip to Latin America to
our mass production and prosperity.
Now year and half later, the good that Hoover
did in Latin America is undone. The bitterness
against the United States is greater than ever There
are more official protests. There are more boycotts
Of our goods.
The newest move in retaliation against is
proposal for tariff union of five of the leading South
American countries. headed by Argentina.
why all these declarations of trade against the
United States? We peaceful people, We have no
intention of running other countries Why are they
so determined to kill our prosperity?
That is the joke on us. They not declaring war
on US All they are doing is to accept our challenge.
TO night Asnk after we have declared on them.
And tnAt is precisely what We have done. although
the American people don't know it yet.
1t is the Grundy billion-dollar tariff bill now be-
fore congress that has started the worst tariff in
history 1t has arTayed thirtythree nations against
MS It threatens shut their exports. And they,
in self-defense are saying: Very well, then shall
shut out your larger exports to US"
Every reader of this newspaper is involved in the
tariff war You can no escape it than you could
remain untouched by the World war. 1t doesn't mat
ter whether you ike It or not If you are a manu-
facurer banker. merchant. it is going to hit your
BUSINESS and hit it hard.
4 Jon are an employe it Is going to ieopardizs your