Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-15

4 4 there, the Prince of Wales
officially inaugurated yester-
day in Buenos Aires the huge Empire
Trade Exhibition, which Is intended 70
give back to Great Britain her lost COM
mercial supremacy in Latin America.
The exhibit houses $20,000,000 worth
of British samples, ranging from tacks
to rolling stock Automobiles, trucks,
motor buses, airplanes, electrical equip
ment, chemical products and other ar
ticles in which Great Britain's trade
has been tagging in Argentina occupy
the largest stands According to UNI
official figures, 500 British nanufac-
turers have spent S5,000.000 to display
their wares. The cost of the exhibition
buildings alone amounted to 50 100000
Press reports announce that during
the fair" the British aircraft carrier
Eagle will be on display in Buenos Aires
Harbor, with the latest war planes flying
about it.
Ever since the mission Of British
economists headed by Lord d'AbeTnon
returned from South America, last year,
and advised a commercial exhibit in
Buenos Aires as one of the best means
for getting larger markets In the West
ern Hemisphere, British manufacturers
undertook enthusiastically the prepara-
ton of a gigantic empire trade exhi-
bition. His Royal Maiesty's govern
ment felt itself obliged to help this
undertaking, Of such vast Importance
for the future of British export trade,
and trebled its original contribution to
the project Finally, British statesmen
added a further element Of success TO
the exhibition by securing the presence
of H. r. H. the Prince OF Wales for
the spectacular opening ceremonies.
TRADE COMPETITION.
This British exhibition, like the
Prince of Wales South American visit
like the previous tour Of the dAbernon
mission, is only anQsller step in a long
series of efforts to sell British goods to
the Latin Americans.
Since the World War diSorganized
the commerce of Great Britain and
Uncle Sam took first place in the Latin
American markets, British statesmen
have been concerned with the future OF
their export trade. Realizing how
much this will depend upon the Latin
American demand for British products,
they have decided lately to reconquer
their lost leadership in some of the
larger southern markets.
In Argentina alone, where the Empire
Exhibit will be held, the losses Of Brit
ish trade have been considerable since
the war. In 1918 the United Kingdom
furnished 81 per cent OF the goods
bought abroad by Argentina, as COM
pared with only lar per cent from the
United States. Fifteen years later the
British percentage had dropped to 19.4
per cent, while that of the United
States had climbed to asa per cent.
United States exports to Argentina in
1927 we're valued at $209, 757 600, while
in 1918 they had amounted to only
s72, 100000. Not even in the depres-
sion year of 1880 we're the large adj
vances of American sales endangered
And all this in spite of the preponder-
ance of British capital and banks In
Argentina. the fact that Great Britain
exceeds the United States as GUS
toner of the Argentine and the fact
that London's free trade policy Is more
to the Argentine's liking than Washing
toms protective tariff.
To this change of commercial leader
ship in Latin America from John Bull
to Uncle Sam several factors have con-
tributed. In a previous article listed
the construction of the Panama Canal,
the difference in conditions brought
about by the World War the continu-
Gus investment of American capital,
the steady development of agriculture,
mine and other industries in the Latin
republics, the latters' increased pur-
chasing power and their ever-groWing
demand 10r manufactured 8ODaS, HlosC
of which are produced in this country,
as the chief agents in that change.
Secretary of Commerce Lamont adds
three other elements to explain Ameri-
can supremacy Service, enterprise and
low cost of goods he recently said, will
continue to be determining factors in
the Argentine market, and AFsentines
will continue to find them eXemplified
in American methods.
GOOD WILL AND GOODS.
Although official declarations from
American statesmen contend that Amer
lean interests in Argentina viii not be
appreciahly affected by Great Britains
present epdeavors, certain moves re-
Gently made by the Government Of this
country seem TO indicate that Uncle
Sam Is we'll aware of the importance of
such competition and Is ready to take
up the challenge.
In the first place there are the two
steps adopted In the matter OF general
policies by the State Department. nance
", the friendly speech Of Secretary
stimson setting forth the favorable at