Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-03-07
EXPORTS TO SOUTH AMERICA.
From the Boston Advertiser,

| From the Boston Advertiser.
There seems to be a growing interest
in the matter of commercial relations
with adjacent foreign nations, and sug-
gestions made by leading merchants
whereby such foreign trade may be in
creased to the mutual benefit Of both
parties concerned deserve thoughtful
consideration. The countries in which
markets can be enlarged with the least
danger to the present fiscal policy are
Mexico, Central America, the West In
dies and with South American republics
generally.
| Heretofore the restricted trade with
these powers has been due solely to tariff
| schedules, as the tariff reformers are so
fond of claiming. In order that mer-
chants and manufacturers may enjoy
closer and more friendly business rela-
tons with the people of these countries,
there must be taken into account several
other vital points which bear directly
upon such relationship. Our poor mail
service requires particular attention.
The banking connections which
now exist are inadequate. More
liberal credits must be given by mer
chants to compete with the Liverpool
credity of nine to twelve months. The
lack Of bonded warehouses In these
countries is a detriment to further
growth, and this system should be in
rroduced in connection with other
changes.
The main fact to be emphasized in re-
gard to present affairs IS that there Is
not demand in these countries for the
better class of our manufactured artl-
Giles. What our southern neighbors
want is Just what they have been ac
customed to using. and new-fangled APP
pliances are objected to. This feeling
largely influences the amount of import
and export trade, but possible more in
innate knowledge among American
manufactures of the wants of the inhab-
itants may offset this condition to some
extent. Just as soon as there is an
urgent call for foreign market, an inn
proved trade will be established. The
monopoly traffic that England has OBJ
tanned is due to the fact that her manu-
features cater for market, while
we only strive to unload our surplus
products which may or may not be de-
sired.
What is the present status of our
trade with this group Of countries?
From 1866 to 1882 trade increased
from $137, 100000 to $3.50, 900, 900,
but declined to $60,000,0O0 in
1885. Trade rallied again, and in June,
1886, the value of our commerce amount
ed to $3.50, 997,1 47. During the fiscal
year the value increased with Mexico
81, 54S. 1854; with Central America, ST.
167, $50: with the West Indies, $780,
S9S, and with South America, So ,426, 937.
The value of our imports with all these
countries exceeds that of exports by
many millions. In 1888 the difference,
estimating domestic exports alone, was
$111, 7S5, 500.
Such a vast difference shows that earn
est endeavors to improve matters will not
be without reason. One of the main
things that is imperative for the success
of such movement is more regular
and direct steamship communication. Ir-
of the mail service is a great !
drawback. Steamers should run direct
ly to and from the ports of South Amer |
lea, and so long as there is a dependence
for transportation and communication |
on packets that make Liverpool the final
and most important port and South
America ports secondary, SO long will
the present state of inactive trade re-
main between the United States and
these adjacent markets, regardless of our
import duties