Evening star., 1942-04-26
Mapping Post-Wor
Economic Program
By Frederic J. Hdskir.


country valuable service in helping to
map an economic program for the Nation
to follow after the war is over Regard
less of the wars outcome. II Is unmis-
I takably clear that the countries Of the
I Western Hemisphere must unite on an
/ economic front to the same extent they
have welded together their efforts for
an all-fight on the Axis powers.
( Among those who are giving an un-
/ stinted portion of their time and expert
ence to help plan a postwar economy
| for the nations of the Western Hemi-
| sphere Is DR.. william La Varre, chief,
American Republics Unit, United States
| Department Of Commerce. As an educa-
| tor. author, journalist and for seven
| years an economic explorer In South
America, he with his associates has COM
piled vast amount Of interesting trade
data on the Latin American republics.
| These all-important facts presented in
recent issues of the Foreign Commerce
Weekly, Government publication, could
be pondered with profit by every busi-
nesSman in the country. The facts on
| Latin American economies are also of
interest to every producer and consumer.
for 1t seems likely that in time every
| household in the country will be affected
by future foreign trade relations
In his straightforward and analytical
presentations on the Importance OF ex-
ports to Western Hemisphere countries.
DR.. La Varre reminds his readers of
Httleris statement in "Mein Kampf,"
/ az
efforts Of Hitler's propagsndists TO make
the Latin American republics believe
their future lies wholly within the Nazl
realm of economy, DR.. La varre says:
Export we will, for our history contains
ample proof that as our trade expands
| and our commercial contacts widen our
standard of living, from Yukon to Pata-
gonia, improves" II is this spirit of a
will and way to carry on, regardless Of
Hitler'S war and his economic theories,
that makes the facts presented not only
timely, but in keeping with the high
morale which the United Nations now
possess.
There is no mistaking the fact that the
United States is not only surrounded by
world at war, but it has % trade prob
lens to help solve. 1t is the solving of
these problems in which DR.. La Varre,
his associates and businessmen every
where are interested. The democratic
ally impressive part about the La Varre
presentation of these problems is that he
does not offer a solution. but calls upon
the public for help. In this manner he
offlcially speaks for the Department of
|
rately, the solutions, would be based on
the high principles of cooperation and
friendship. Yet on these principles must
be built practical and cooperative plans
for solving the trade problems Of the
| Americas.
It was natural that this country's first
export trade began with Europe, more
| particularly with England, AS a result,
| through the decades there has been an
ever-increasing emphasis on selling more
and more to Europe. and correspond
ingly. Europeans have enjoyed a wider
market in the United States for their
SURPRISES. Hence the Latin American
countries have been a sort of extra mar
ket in which to sell and in which to buy
when trade was not brisk elsewhere.
There are exceptions In the case of GER
tain commodities, but the rule has been
followed generally.
All this, however, must Of necessity,
be changed, not only for the welfare of
the United States, but for the 81 Latin
American republics. That Is why there
are 20 problems involved. Canada could,
and probably will. be added to the West
ern hemisphere countries that must
work out their trade relations on q
mutual basis. For 1t now seems that,
in the future, Europe will be the extra
market when there is a surplus and
when that portion Of the world is able
to re-establish world credit.
Argentina is a good example of one
of the problems involved in Western
Hemisphere trade relations. That coun-
try has been developed on agricultural
and pastoral exports, but unless there
is an outlet for these in the years i'm
mediately approaching, national fnan-
cial and economic chaos could result.
Brazil falls into similar category for
1t has huge supplies of coffee cotton
and other products for which 1t does
not have ample domestic consumption.
The selling of these surpluses Is the
more important In the case of Brazil
because its expanding industries are
almost wholly dependent upon internal
wealth, but that wealth must be sold
in foreign markets. Almost every coun-
try in the Western Hemisphere has a
similar problem, and now with many
markets either temporarily cut of from
the Western Hemisphere or possibly
destroyed for many years to come, DR..
LaVarre indicates that taking stock OF
the situation now is next in Importance
to that Of prosecuting the war.
OF vital interest to the United States
Is the fact that almost every need of
the 81 Latin American republics could
be met in this country's markets. AS
broad example, the United States is
highly industrialized, whereas not one
| Of the 81 neighbors to the south enjoys
| that distinction 1t has long been estt-
mated that If this country could take
the surplus crops and products of the
Latin American countries, every factory
| in the United States could 90 on a full
time II not double-time basis, turning
| out products to be used in exchange
for Latin American commodities. Many
| economists and observers think that In
TINA fka far fvoI L