Evening star., 1933-02-05

ing GOWN LQe tracks, uSuId-
wv lively speaking, of a new
commercial air line between
the coasts Of France and
Brazil, negotiations for the conclusion
of trade agreements between Great
sight.
A few days after Jean Mermoz made
his sensational flight across the South
ern Atlantic, to show the possibilities OF
fast and permanent aerial conmunica-
tion between France and South
America, we read of the enthusiasm In
British commercial circles over the ar
rival in London of an Argentine special
mission.
Although the announced purpose Of
this mission is to return the visit which
the Prince of Wales paid to Argentina
in 1881, Argentine editorialists, and
even government officials, make no
secret of the economic consequences
which may result from it.
The general belief is that the chief
object Of the voyage is to negotiate
commercial agreement to counterbal-
ance the empire trade accordS of Otta-
wa, which have hit Argentine hard.
British interests, with investments in
Argentina amounting to 100000, 900
the largest British investment in any
foreign country-are most anxious to
preserve, and increase, the predominant
role they have played for decades in
the foreign trade of the most important
Spanish American republic.
British Hopes Aroused Anew.
The much publicized visit of the
Prince of Wales to Buenos Aires, nearly.
two years ago, had precisely that aim
IN, vi hn io1o 10 oc;rr 1f
the trip and its social ceremonies were
overshadowed by the opening of the
British Imperial Trade Exhibition in
the Argentine capital and the business
like talks delivered by his royal high
ness. To the extent that the popular
British heir added in that trip. to his
innumerable titles, that of the highest
paid travelling salesman in the world"
The world depression, which became
more acute after the princes return
from South America. prevented the
dreams of British industrialists and ex-
porters from coming true. But, now
that the worst is over-or seems to be
overland that Argentina herself has
been made to realize, via Ottawa, the
importance of Anglo-Argentine COM
mercial ties, the hopes of John Bull
have been aroused again by the visit
OF this Argentine mission headed by
no less parsonage than the Vice Presi-
dent of the southern republic, DR.. Julio
A. Roca.
A similar embassy Of good will to
London is planned by Brazilian officials
And the fact that the Brazilian
minister Of finance, rather than the
minister of foreign affairs, will preside
over the delegation, appears to support
the impression that good will may not
be all that the Brazilian visitants will
be expected to bring back from the
other side of the ocean.
-Four other news dispatches, appear
ing recently in the local papers, give
additional evidence of this renewed in
terest in the conquest of Latin Ameri-
can markets.
One tells Of the acquisition, by a
japanese syndicate, Of important hold
ings in the Lonquimay oil shale region.
Chile, for the sum Of s2,000.000, and
the plans, made public by the pur-
ings to the improvement of present
japanese Chilean trade relations.
Armaments Bought Abroad
Two other dispatches report large
sales of warcraft by Spain and Ger
many to the governments CT Mexico
and Cuba. In the latter case the cable
adds that this is the first time in
the history Of the republic that war
supplies have been purchased from a
European country and not from the
United States.
In the case of Mexico, the report rs
that construction Of four gunboats ard
several smaller craft for that country
has begun in the Spanish shipyards,
the event being hailed in Madrid as
the first outstanding practical result of
the Spanish republics policy of stimu-
lating commercial relations with Latin
America. The contract calls for some
$4,000, 900 pesetas, but, in order to IA
cil.tate the transaction, the Spanish
government has given Mexico credit
of 100000 pesetas, to be paid In rela-
lively small iilstallments.
The same dispatch adds that Spain
has offered various Spanish American
countries a system of interchange Of
products involving very little cash and
that plans are in view for the sending
Of commercial delegations across the
Atlantic to complete arrangements
along this line
A similar policy is announced as being
contemplated by Poland. The first one
Of these so-called "compensating trade
agreements" which are almost a return
to barter, was effected a few weeks ago.
when $4,000 tons Of Polish rails were
exchanged for Brazilian coffee. In this
way, the press item adds, the Polish
government intends to obtain more
South American business for Polish
steel mills.
In the meantime, while the world
race for Latin American trade is again
on, agitation for South American Gus
toms union, or at least for regional