New-York tribune., 1878-11-20
A REPORT ON TRADE WITH MEXICO.
THE VIEWS OF MINISTER FOsTER-TRADE NOT TO
BE GOT IN DAY, NOR BY THE SIMPLE PROCESS
OF BUILDING STEAMERS.

THE VIEWS OF MINISTER FOsTER-TRADE NOT TO
BE GOT IN DAY, NOR BY THE SIMPLE PROCESS
OF BUILDING STEAMERS.
IGENERAL PRESS DIsPATCH.I
WASHINGTON, Nov. 19.-Minister Foster, in
response to request from the Manufacturers Associa
ton of the has sent to the State Department
very elaborate paper, giving the results OF careful
study concerning the prospects and available means for
an extension OF American commerce with Mexico.
He says that this Government can do something
toward the Improvement of communication with Mex
leo by steamships but that without an international
railroad TO the Capital considerable trade can De
maintained. Under this head he aims TO establish the
following points: That the Mexican Government Will
to any tresdy stipulation other nterna
tona agreement for the Joint lection OF such road
and that requires all the employees and the capl al OF
the company formed for that purpose to become Mexican
for all purposes OF the enterprise that the last Congress
positively refused to grant charter for an American
company, and the present Congress has manifested
the opposition; and that the Mexican Govern
men owing TO its financial condition, is absolutely un
able pay any subsidy for the construction Of the road
The second subject discussed the tariff and trade
regulations OF Mexico. Minister Foster shows that Oh
many important articles desirable to Introduce from the
United States the tariff s prohibtory, and on most
others IL renders them luxuries with very limited
population rs Interior dulles deprecated
currency heavy rates Of exchange long credits, etc.,
stacles 10 American trade
In the remainder OF the paper Mr. Foster sets forth
that the revolutionary condition OF Mexico has, in the
first place. Impoverished the country u such an extent
as 10 render 1t impossible to sustain large foreign
trade that secondly has caused such general insecu
riiy and disorder render life and property unsafe;
and thirdly II has made contrabaud trade so prevalent
as completely TO unsettle honest commerce. Mr. FOSTER
remarks that English merchants have tcomplctey
withdrawn from Mexico for much the same reason that
Americans cannot do not enter It, There Is not one
English house in the port OF Vera Cruz, and not more
than six in the entire Republic. The import trade Is
principally In hands OF the Germans and spanards
-mainly the former. The Germans have farly
earned their prominence BY many years OF
patient study OF the country and persistent
application TO the business The Hamburg merchants
establish their branches In various parts OF NJ xlcO ana
send their educ cd youths out TO serve an apprentice
ship In the business, and aftervad assume the man
agcnen OF the branch houses They become thoroughly
familiar with the condition and practices OF the country
and master the iniricaces OF the tarlf ana Interior
duties fl the American merchants are Wiling To pur-
sue the same policy aud subject themselves 10 the same
aupnyauces, they Will probably succeed likewise. MI
Foster thinks that until the abovendIcdtod obstacles
q trade with Mexico remove our mercitlis
will as general thing continue 10 tnd more lnVlthg
markets beyond the equator and on the slde o
the globe: he nevertheless, that here is
lim eG field which may be occupied by American mef-
chs and man LfactufcrJ.