New-York tribune., 1879-05-10
THE MEXTCAN TRADE.

! OPINIONS OF AN AMERICAN MERCHANT.
FAIR PROSPECTS FoR THE INTRODUCTION o. ,,lpp.
ICAS GOODs-PECULIARITfs or MrXlctE c,n.
MERGE.
lFRoM SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT OF TIE rRiuryrJ
Mexico, April 20-In reply 10 several Gnrr,es
which | submitted to him, James &. Lohs, an
American merchant who has been several wears in
the Mexican trade, gives his opinion on the pro,
poets of increasing the commerce OF the Republic
with the United States. In answer 10 the ipquiry
that If cotton goods hardware, wOollen fabric, and
provisions can be bought as cheap in the United
States Europe, is there reason to expect that
they will purchased for the Mexican market Mr.
Lohse says: IF such articles are as good and a,
cheap as those made in Europe, aud # the manufac
turers take steps to adapt them to the market they
Will certainly be preferred, they be brought
out much less time" In regard to the best means Of
introducing American goods, Mr. Lobsc says; ANY
American manufacturer who can sell his goods here
as cheapy as the European makers should estab.
lish an agency here, and furnish it not only with
samples but with supply from which orders can
be filed. In case he is not prepared 10 send out a
stock of goods, he should at least send traveller
with samples or supply an agent here with some"
There is reason TO suppose that many leading
firms in this country unaware of the great reduc.
ton which has taken place in American staples
since the panic of 1873. On tins point, Mr.. Lohse
says: lowing to Americans having neglected 10
push their goods into this country, / think many
merchants are unacquaInted with the reduction
that bas taken place. Some progress has been ac.
cOmplished in introducing American goods during
the past five years owing to the establishment Of
regular line of steamers No important changes
have taken place in tire trade Of Mexico itself ex-
cept a heavy increase in exchange owing 20 the de-
precIation of silver"
In reply to my inquiry, What reforms are needed
TO promote foreign commerce in generalp Mr..
LOhse says: "The import duties should be re-
duced; the charge for conveying goods on the
steamers and by railroad from Vera Cruz ought to
be lower. The rates charged bv the railroad are
deemed exorbitant. Railroads should be con-
structed from the Capital the large towns so that
the heavy cost Of transportation by mules and carts
may be ayoided.'
In giving general details OF the Mexican trade,
Mr. Lohse says goods are ordered by every steamer
leaving Vera Cruz for Europe or the United States,
but merchants generally send for the bulk of their
goods In the Fall and Spring, so that they may ar.
rive just before and after the rainy season. In this
city the wholesale and retail business is generally
combined. The calico (gray cloth manufacturers
have offices here and sell to the retail trade. The
freight from New-YOrl to Vera Cruz on merchandise
is cent per pound, or 30 cents per foot, with per
cent for primaRe. From Liverpool freights less
being from % shillings 80 33) to 53 shillngs
(b12 81 per ton OF 22IO pounds, with per cent
for primage. Freight in sailing vessels from New
York Is from 81 to $3 per ton of 1900 pounds The
cost of bringing goods from New-Orleans is about
the same as from New-York. The freigh on goods
from Vera Cruz TO this city is Pjl % per 1000 kill
orammes. As this rate Is PAID in silver dollars
worth about 81 cents each it is equivalent to$I1 80
in American gold per ton Of 1000 pounds The pro-
portion which the freight bears 20 the cost Of goods
Of course varies. In the hardware trade II ranges
from 70 TO 12J per cent on the original cost. C0un-
try buyers generally get from six to eight months
credit without any form Of security. They generally
come to this city to purchase goods Ia the three
months before and after the rainy season, which
begins in Nav and ends in September. This cIty i3
the great market for the Interior and its trade is
consequently of the first Importance.