WHERE BRITAIN LOSES.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13940, 28 June 1909, Page 7

WHERE BRITAIN LOSES.

A high tribute to the future importance of the South American liepublics is paid in the April " North American Review " by I'rofessor L. >S. Howe, of 'Pennsylvania University. He says that in these coining States Germany is gaining ground at the expense of Great Britain. Britain was the first to recognise their commercial and industrial promise. British capita! built their main railways, and British merchants enjoyed a practical monoply of their trade, but "Great Britain never attempted to establish with these countries any of those stronger bonds of ,eomnion feeling which mean so much for the maintenance of close relations." The British residents have always held themselves aloof from the people, living in separate colonies, not learning Spanish, and displaying an attitude of general superiority. .Hence Great Britain has left no permanent impress upon the civilisation of South America. Her influence in :ts commerce and - industry is on the decline, and she is ceasing to bo a factor in the economic life of the Republics. On the other hand, the German Government and the German people have spared no effort to understand .the South American nations, and to place at their disposal the best results of German thouvht. and activity. Germany has furnished them with scientists for their universities, with teachers for their schools, with specialists in adminstratve, technical and sanitary problems, and she is now reapinf fhe benefit of her farsighted policy. Ties have ( been formed which Foster close commercial relations. Hence "German companies seking franchises and concessions in South America -re looked upon with favour, for their courteous treatment of the people wins for them the support of the people. German capital, in consequence, is making, serious inroads into a field which was at oiip time exclusivelv British."