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December, 1925 especially automobiles, agricultural im- plements and machinery of all kinds, is becoming better known and is re- sulting in a constantly broader mar- ket in South America. “T believe also that the establish- ment of a fast steamship service un- der the American flag, giving exporters better facilities than they have ever had before, has played an important part in this trade expansion. I look SOCIAL HALL OF THE AMERICAN LEGION ONE OF FOUR IDENTICAL SHIPS RE- CENTLY PURCHASED BY THE MUNSON LINE for South America to rival Europe in the next few years as an outlet for exports from this country. It is our natural market and ‘should be culti- vated.” Mr. Munson also pointed out that the department of commerce shows $4,000,000,000 invested by this coun- try in Latin America, amounting to two-fifths of our total foreign invest- ments. England, with a total of $6,- 600,000,000, is the only nation that outranks the United States in the southern republics. “Our financial interest in Latin America will strengthen the commer- cial ties between the two continents and will inevitably lead to greater trade.” Mr. Munson continued. “Our large industries realize this and many of them have established their own branches in the principal cities. The number of business men who travel back and forward on our vessels is evidence of the greater growth of trade. The outlook is most encourag- ing.” Mr. Munson quoted from the recent MARINE REVIEW article on South America by Isaac Marcosson in the Saturday Evening Post, in which he said: “The necessary tools of trade, not- ably ships and banks, support this new trade consciousness. . . A decade ago the Yankee business man arrived in Buenos Aires on a foreign vessel, which also carried whatever merchan- dise he shipped. Today he comes on a liner flying the stars and stripes that 443 ment of our shipping on the East Coast is in keeping with our trade expan- sion. . . . Our shipping is so firmly established in Argentine trade as to make its position permanent.” Passenger traffic between the two continents has also, increased largely, according to Mr. Munson, who said that in addition to those traveling for business an expansion is noted in the number of tourists making trips to South America. He predicted a steady advance in the tourist business. Clifford W. Smith, director for Brazil for the Fleet corporation with headquarters at Rio de Janeiro, re- cently commented as follows on condi- tions in Brazil: “Brazil is experiencing a great wave of prosperity and progress at the pres- ent time, and American business is sharing it to a constantly increasing extent thanks to American ships, cables and banks, the three prime fac- tors in the establishment of foreign trade in any market. American busi- ness is holding the leadership in trade with Brazil, gained since the war, and LOOKING FROM THE SOCIAL HALL INTO THE WRITING ROOM ON THE AMERICAN LEGION. THIS VESSEL AND HER THREE SISTER SHIPS ARE FITTED IN GOOD TASTE AND ARE LUXURIOUS AND COMFORTABLE makes the fastest time between New York and the River Plate. “Before the establishment of the passenger line in particular, shippers and consignees had to wait for their cargo and mail from a month to six weeks. Now they have a dependable service which transports letters and freight between the two extremes of the itinerary in eighteen days, which is three days less than the best Brit- ish-operated schedule. The develop- our products of every nature are be- coming increasingly popular. The Brazilians are a young, vigorous and progressive people with a viewpoint very similar to our own and we enter the Brazilian market with an advan- tage over other countries because of the sympathetic bond between the two peoples. “The fast American flag passenger service between New York and Rio de Janeiro, Santos, Montevideo and Bue-