Evening star., 1933-07-02

SlOe OF Lne ITO tranQe, tndt
II Latin American statesmen are
L seriously considering the posi-
bilities Of regional customs
unions or multilateral trade agreements,
are particularly significant at a time
when the World Economic Conference
at London Is trying to add new impetus
to all forms of international trade.
OF course, the Latin American coun
tries are separated by geographic and
political barriers very difficult to over
come in the case of an economic union.
But, then, what other road would be
left for Latin America If, as a conse-
uuence OF q lack of understanding at
the London meetings, the leading COM
mercial powers were to embark on q
policy Of extreme nationalism and eco
nomic self-sufficiency?
Hard as it Is to conceive OF q Latin
American economic bloc under the pres
ent circumstances, it Is plain that the
only alternative for Latin America In
q world beset by insurmountable high
tariffs and trade restrictions would be
to find relief within herself. 1t Is, un-
doubtedly upon the realization OF this
fact, that Chilean Argentine, Brazilian
and Cuban statesmen have lately in
dorsed the idea and even taken the first
steps in its direction. Previous articles
,, have described such steps.
To stress the importance OF Latin
American trade compact. If 1t were
possible today, and the effect it would
have upon the whole economic struc-
ture of the world, one need only bear
| in mind the potentialities and capacity
Of production in that region.
Most Productive Area.
w,. r,+;o Ar,ayJoop copf;pept nm
doubtedly Is the most promising OF
the on-exploited regions of the earth.
Europe, with some 10000 900 In
habitants, has an average of As in
habitantS per square kilometer. Asia,
with total population of billion,
has about 25 inhabitants per square
kilometer Africa has an average close
to inhabitants per square kilometer.
But Latin America, with nearly 100,-
900 900 inhabitants has only an av-
erage of 3.6 per square kilometer.
In the northern hemisphere the
temperate zone has been exploited
almost to the limit of its capacity.
Europe Is unable to increase her pro-
duction Of food or raw materials. Asia,
neither, with her tremendously large
population and enormous desert regions.
will be able to augment hers, and will
sources of production. Even the nat
ural reserves of the United States may
some day be endangered by this coun-
try's growing population and over
whelming industrial development.
Outside Of the temperate and trop-
ical zones of Latin America, there are
only two other regions where the world
can seek new sources of production and
natural resources still undeveloped,
Australia and New Zealand, but Latin
America has many advantages over
them.
All of Argentina. all of Chile, all of
Uruguay, the South of Brazil, the
higher zones Of Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador
and Colombia. already are producing
large amounts of grains and possess
great quantities of live stock.
Lead in Other Products.
Mexico is the third largest producer
of oil in the world. the largest producer
of silver. and has almost monopoly
Of the ''henequen" or "sisal" thread.
Cuba is the first producer of sugar in
the world. Venezuela is already the
second largest oil producer, after the
United States. Bolivia is the second
producer. after the United States. Bo-
livia is the second producer Of tin in
the world. Chile possesses the world
monopoly of nitrate and is the second
largest producer of copper. Argentina
is one of the most important sources
of agricultural products in the world
Her meats and grains are exported III
large quantities to Europe and the
United States. and she also has the mo-
nopoly on "quebracho."
Brazil is the worlds greatest coffee
producer, and the rest of the produc-
ton is almost exclusively raised by
other Latin American countries Nearly
all of the cacao production of the world
also comes from Latin America, prin-
cipally Brazil and Ecuador Colombia
is today the largest producer of plati-
mum. The sugar and cotton crops of
Brazil. Peru, and other Latin American
republics already are among the i'm
portant ones in the world. AS for
rubber. Brazil and Bolivia can very
well recuperate their old predominant
position by means of plantations of the
type existent in Malaga. The greatest
oil reservoirs are also in Latin America
1t is impressive to watch the growth of
the oil production in Venezuela, Co.
lombia, Peru, ETC., in the last few years.
The decrease in the Mexican production
probably is only temporary
As for the power sources used for the