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.
Germany’s great export trade of some two thousand millions of dollars 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 adjoining 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 competitors.
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 impediments 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,
