CUSTOM-HOUSES

275

to  remedy  the  situation  by  themselves.  Attempts ­
  to  improve  must  come  from  the  outside
and  be  presented  through  diplomatic  channels
and  most  emphatically  insisted  upon.  A  determined ­
  effort  on  the  part  of  this  government
would  do  much  to  bring  about  a  change  and
would  be  a  most  potent  factor  in  extending  our
trade  relations  in  these  lands.
It  may  be  argued  that  despite  the  system  of
fines,  bribes  and  graft  which  are  so  intimately
associated  with  the  Latin  American  customhouses ­
  the  lands  are  prosperous  and  their
merchants  thriving,  but  the  fact  cannot  be  disputed ­
  that  the  practice  is  decidedly  wrong  and
reflects  materially  on  the  integrity  and  dignity
of  the  nation  permitting  it  and  positively
hampers  the  legitimate  growth  of  trade.