The New York herald., 1879-02-01
Mr.. George S. Bowen on the Objects of
the Commercial Excursion.
MINISTER FOSTERS CHICAGO LETTER.
Cross-Purposes Marring the Pro-
gramme Of October
is THERE A WAR POLICY ?

HERALD reporter called yesterday on Mr.. George
s. Bowen, of Chicago. who has organized the Ameri-
can Industrial Deputaon to Mexico. which is now
visiting the land of Anahuac with the object OF
learning his views regarding the prospect of creating
intimate commercial relations with the sister Repub
lic In the course Of conversation Mr.. Bowen made
the following statements in reply to the reporters
inquiries
..Mr. Bowen, how did you come to organize this
excursion to MexicoY
"Briefiy, in this way:--In May. 1s7s called the
manufacturers of Chicago together for organization
and discovered that they had produced during the
previous year more than $2O00OO.O0O worth of
manufactured goods, and that they had capacity
for producing more than twice that amount,
but that the present markets were unable to
consume and pay for those goods, and my attcn-
ton was called to Mexico as possible
sumner of large amounts of agricultural I'M
plements, our iron and nails and cotton and
woollen fabrics and jewelry and glassware. also
observed that in the entire Republic of Mexico there
only about three hundred miles ofrairoad to ac-
commodate population of IL 900, 900 people, and it
occurred to that visit of of leading man
ufacturers to Mexico, with view to- discover their
wants and the ability to supply them. would result
in friendly interchange of commerce most desirable
to both nations II was that thought that induced
the invitation to Seiior Zamacona the Mexican Min
lister Washington to visit Chicago for the purpose
of examining our manufacturing and mercantile es-
tablishnents in order that he might our capacity
for manufacturing and supplying his people with
those articles which they most largely consume and
also to explain to the people of the Northwest the
act condition of Mexico and the Mexicans.
"He made that visit, you are aware. and ex-
pressed himself greatly pleased and instructed by
it, and greatly in favor of the proposed visit of the
industrial dcputation, who are now in Mexico
Through his earnest endeavors arrangements were
made for the free introduction of samples Of these
goods into Mexico. and his government made gen.
erous appropriation for the entertainment OF the
deputation while in Mexico"
.IIow was the deputation gotten together?''
"In October last circular sent to manufac-
turers all the country giving them the details Of
the proposed trip and its object-the establishment
of closer commercial relations with Mexico-to which
very cordial response was made by the manufac-
turers evncing by the hundreds Of letters received
deep interest in the market about to be opened
Being assured that sufficient number would under
take the journey to warrant the trip negotiations
were opened with the Illinois Central Railroad and
its connections. whom found thoroughly in ac
cord with the project and to whom are
greatly indebted. This ia true, also, OF
tho Iron Mountain and the Texas and
fair spirit by the Alexandra steamship line and
most generously considered by the Vera Cruz and
Mexican Railway Company. 1t was our original pur-
pose to go by way of Galveston making it the short
line; but we were unable to make any arrangements
with Mr. II. NJ. Hoxie of the International and Great
Northern Railway of Texas for the transportation OF
the party over his line. At the time this seemed
somewhat remarkable, in contrast to the hearty good
will displayed by the other lines. 1t was however,
decided to issue tickets by way of New Orleans
and through the politeness of Mr. Zamacona for the
Alexandra steamship to direct to Vera Cruz omit
ting her stops at way ports in order to save time
and the price of the tickets fixed at $50 for the
MINISTER FOSTERS LITTER.
s'In the meantime, chairman OF the Committee
Invitations to the reception to Minister Zamacona
in Chicago, had extended an invitation to John w.
Foster, United States Minister ut Mexico to attend
this reception, and accompanied 1t by letter briefly
setting forth our purpose and requesting his views
on the desrabiity OF opening commercial relations
between the United States and Mexico
"In reply to this invitation Minister Foster wrotea q
letter of forty-seven pages. which was addressed to
the President of the Manufacturers Association of
the Northwest, in whose name the invitation
sent, but instead of being sent 70 him il for
warded to the State Department at Washington. it
subsequently transpired. The first heard of this
letter il was printed in garbled sections in the
Chicago Tribune of November %, 1878. having been
teegraphed from Washington to that sheet the effort
being the part of those interested in its publica
ton to dssuade or discourage parties who had con-
the letter, printed. going TO show that life and
property unsafe in Mexico; that subsidies
granted by the Mexican government for the construc-
Impoverished by revolutions that they were utterly
unable to undertake any great work of public i'm
portance; that the railway from Vera Cruz to the
City of Mexico, 263 miles in length and costing
$2700O,000 has never paid over Ave per cent; that
Especially refers to the Mexican % tar as being very
opinion that American merchants are sub
CTS unfi nj To xvifh thA
merchants. who now largely control the trade with
that country. Mr.. Foster stated, also. that in
population OF 100000 there were not more
than l,o00.000 who woud he consumers Of
American goods, and the introduction Of our az
reatural implements would, in his opinion, be very
difficult. He thought that exalted idea Of
the magnitude OF the possible trade with
the people of Mexico was entertained in this
country and he cites many cases OF robbery and vo
lence which have, he says come under his notice
during his four years residence in Mexico In
cusion lie says that the Germans control the trade
with Mexico, and he thinks they have fairly earned
their predominance by many years of patient study
and persistent application. Our merchants. he
Mexico, by liberal legislation and running up its
credit makes it possible to establish direct railroad
communication. Mark that as l shall have occasion
to refer tc it again.
BowES's REPLY.
''Wbat is your answer to thsT'
'.why, simply that Mexico imports $75.000OO0
worth Of goods year. principally domestics and
manufactures of iron, in the production of which
beat the world IA to quality ana price and Ger
mans and other Europeans, Notwithstanding all
MIR. Foster says, find profit in selling Mexico these
goods. Having obtained this supremacy alluded to
BY Mr.. Foster they naturally intend to keep it.
''rhe effect which Mr.. Foster intended to produce,
however, he accomplished pretty thoroughly AZ the
time the publication OF this letter there had been
received by the association applications for tickets to
Mexico from 100 of the Leading manufacturers
of tins country; but after the publication re-
fcrrcd to the majority, or in fact almost all OF
them. backed 'squarely down. saving that IL tho
facts represented by Mr. Foster true thoy
had no desire to 20 to Mexico to do any business
with the Mexicans. Minister zanacona ut once re-
piled to this letter in the columns o: the Chicago
Tribune lie began by saying that those who tried 10
deter and keep the American merchants from the
City OF Mexico by raising the ghost of murder and
insecurity have certain interest In creating feel
ing OF distrust and fear in the minds of the Amcr-
can people in regard to Mexico. Mr. Foster, he said.
adopted very dcceitful manner of judging the pub
lie sentiments OF country. He thought that II ono
were to judge of the sentiments of the United States
toward Europe and Mexico by picking out extracts
from the Congressional Rcord OF speeches which have
been delivered III Congress, one would obtain very
erroneous idea OF the foreign policy OF the
United states. In regard to the railroad SUBJ
nj, ha nj na1 hat s.s.~ r.tl-