FOREIGN TRADE OF THE UNITED) STATES 373 



For a time at least the whole commercial mechanism of the world is 

 thrown out of gear by the European war. Important parts have been 

 crippled, and it will be some time before the rest of the machinery can 

 adequately perform its usual functions. The situation thus created 

 has been called a very paradise for the pessimist. But there are those 

 to whom the ill wind may blow some good. Opportunities have been 

 created for the marketing of the products of our factories and farms 

 which did not formerly exist. 



German3'^s great export trade of some two thousand millions of dol- 

 lars is practically killed, for the time being, exports from the other 

 countries engaged in the war have been cut off entirely or materially 

 diminished, and many orders from neutral countries, heretofore sent 

 to Europe, will doubtless come to the United States. It is the time for 

 prompt but not for precipitate action on the part of our manufacturers. 

 It may not be surprising, however, if some of them neglect to look over 

 the fence to see what fruit may be ready for the plucking in the ad- 

 joining field, for there is that little item of nearly two hundred million 

 dollars worth of goods which Germany has been sending to the United 

 States which is worthy of some consideration, and in certain lines the 

 best opportunities created by the war are right at our own doors. 



It is the new markets in other countries, however, which we are 

 considering at this time. South America seems to appeal most strongly 

 to a majority of those studying the question, and there are good 

 reasons for this. It is not because of proximity ; we are practically no 

 nearer the leading markets of South America than the great European 

 manufacturing nations. It is not because of any sentimental reason 

 arising from the fact that we are on the same side of the globe, any 

 more than the fact that we are on opposite sides of the equator should 

 act as a deterrent factor in our trade relations. It is certainly not due 

 to any blood relationship ; some European nations are much closer of 

 kin to the people of South America than we. It is mainly due to the 

 non-existence of trade competition. Neither in the home market nor 

 abroad do we enter into competition in any considerable degree. When 

 competition does enter, it is in natural and not manufactured products. 

 It is, nevertheless, a fact that the greater markets for our manufactured 

 products are found at present in countries which are our keenest com- 

 petitors. 



But there are other markets than those of South America, markets 

 which are sometimes called neutral because in them we meet the other 

 manufacturing nations on a plane of equality not assisted nor hampered 

 by discriminating customs tariffs nor other governmental aid or im- 

 pediments to trade. Some of these markets are growing rapidly in 

 importance, and their future prospects are quite as bright as those of 

 South America. The far and near east present alluring opportunities 

 for the future if not for the immediate present. The English colonies, 



