New-York tribune., 1890-06-30
= IvpOrrs TO VENEZUELA.
.aI0G7l-H1 sl9. .s52. .on sa.9is

Totals. l9G1i,ii1 Sl9JJ2Jfl T"''fo
Mr.. Birds books ana records are kept more
systematically than those of any other American
Consul whom ! have visited III SOuth AihcIic1.
lie states that most OF the staple cotton goouS
come from England, the finer grades from France
the cheapest light-weigat goods from Gerinany al'
the duck, drillings, dcnimS and hlstclaSs heaN
weight white Goods from the United States In
e!ish and French prints, being superior IN "cl
cacv and variety OF pattern, have a marked ad-
vantage over American goods of the same KIN"
The hardware comes ordinarily from England 9iti
Germany, although many lines of superior qudllt!
and good deal OF machinery are impoited rom 'e
United States. In flour. lard oi! ana provisions
generally the American imporiatlons are Wllnout
competition. Mr.. Bird contends mat AmeiIcah
goods are always properly packed Tor TINS mar
ket and that Tie complaints on TINS score WlHch
| have heard IL almost every 0lncF Houtii ANvl
lean port are not justified here lie CONSIDERS tic
condition of United States trade with Nenezhela
satisfactory from every point OF view, ana AZ"
convinced that he is right. Certainly thc siatIs
tics support the conclusion that when Americans
make strenuous efforts as they have done here t.
cOmpcte WITH Europeans, SUPPLYING auequalc
steam communications and mali facultcs. ana or
cani7inc branch mercantile houses in all the prn7
cpal cities and ports, they can get their III III
share both of the export and import trahe. Inc
enterprise Of the Boulton house is an object lesson
which teaches what can he accomplished ia til'
development of American trade in other countries
ON this continent If that firm had continued
as other Ncw-YOrk merchants have done 10 EN-
poy sailing ships when maritime Europe was
building hundreds of steamers for the Soutn Amer
lean service. il would have lost large snare oil
its business Without assistance from the GoN-
ernment il has met the requirements Of pro
gressiye age and with five steamers under the
American iiag has earned the large measure oi sue
cess which il has obtained. 1t has done so mhcn
TO increase American trade that tne qms"Iau
here ought to be raised 10 the level oi klo ana
Panama.
Efforts are making. as am informed here for
the establishment OF second American me ~ y.
steamers The Nenpzuclon Government has been
approached and asked 10 grant concessions u
the rival company. There is certainly business
enough for a second line, especially II IT makes
connections with Trinidad and Cndad Bolivar, on
the Orinoco The effect Of additional compH
tition would he considerable in reducing frelghts
and thereby increasing trade. There ls' hoWcNcT
much greater reed of American competition ~
the carving trade between Ncw-l ork ana 'hc
BRAZILIAN ports than between Venezuela ard me
United States. The necessity Tor estapII,snlEI I
steam communications with Mon'"Vldeo. BuenoS
Avres and Rosario is even more urgent. he "eS
coast Of South America is also unprovldca i9r' ah
there are lines needed between New-l lork ana
oIId'an Aercnn coast When 80 many otler
fields OF enterprise open u American steam
shin interests the requirements OF competition lVG
the Venezuelan trade DO not appear 10 ne urgent /;
La Gnayra has the UnenViahlc reputation OF
having the worst hotels on tie South American
coast Greater discomfort ! have not expert
Oced in ,nV other town which have visited in
nv Journey around IN" continent Ihc mlS;nah-
aGoment at the custom house even exceeds me
incompctency and slovenllneSs 9i the ho.ri P';E, -;
prjctors Travellers are ANNOYED ana harasScd IN
every possihle way. In B-a2l a passport has -
lc shown with the ccriiicaton ci consul b'~
fore foreigner can leave the country. Ihat VAS
the only requirement which had met "lth IN
travelling from country to country untll rc'cur'
Venezuela. Here a traveller who purchases pas
sage for an outward-lound steamer has 10 60
before pubic official for registry. and then 70
tho custom house for permit 20 depart. Ihls
oncration costs bolivar which is pani 10 'c
officials in the form Of a stamp. ana srNcr'h
bolivars as zoe to the mulatto who taxes the
fra veler from one Office 10 another ihat IS I;o'
the end Of the matter. \ permit has 10 Nc
obfaincl before ones baggage con he taken w
an outrojng steamer. Two additional Offices have
to hc visited n second bolivar is paid, ana another
| mulatto guide has 10 be compensated fpr ms
services in making tie rounds: These pe''y
| formalities and eXactions are disgrace 70 ven
! ezuela. In no oIner South American country IS
| traveller annoyed and imposed upon in TINS way.
| In every other port when steamer arrives q
| MESSENGER can have his baggage carried to thC
! landing wharf and then he taken of TO ne Ne,s'
nv small boat at his own convenience" licrc tie
| customs authorities have monopoly ot the DnSi
| ness of handling passengers and hags&ge. boa'-
| men are not allowed to earn fares on thclr ow'
| account Passengers are compelled 10 wait foi
hours until the baggage Is IN the G"Nerhmcitl
boats. and then they are sent out to the steam
| lilxc cattle The Venezuelan idea OF speeding INC
depaTting guest is not liomerc. r.