New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-07-03
OPENING FOREIGN MARKETS.
HOW TO ENLARGE THE EXPORT TRADE.
FREE RAW MATERIALS ALREADY AVAILABLE
THE TARIFF NOT AT FAULT-PRAoT1oAL
SUGGESTIONS PROM A SUCCESSFUL
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
HOUSES REQUIRED.
,sAarAFF CORRESPONDENT or THE TRIBUNE

| raised by the Harrison Administration our free
trade doctrnaires condemned the movement with
fine irony How could Southern countries, they
asked, be expected to buy their imports in mar
ket from which their own products were shut
out by Chinese tariff WALL Commerce is bar
ter they were good enough TO explain, and
nation which hopes to sell its surplus stock must
show its readiness to buy freely from foreign
| customers. Long before the Pan-American Con-
ference was closed the country knew that 1t was
buying more freely than any European nation IN
Southern markets So large was the margin be-
tween its imports from that quarter and its eN-
ports sent in exchange that there was broad
ground for the reciprocity policy which is now
one of the leading issues presented to the Amer
lean people by the Harrison Administration.
| The dootrnaires, having been forced to aDan-
don their first line, fell back upon what they
have considered impregnable ground. They adj
mitted reluctantly that the United States has es-
tablished what is virtually large measure of
| free trade with Southern countries; but they con-
| tended that without free raw materials it would
| be impracticabe for American manufacturers to
compete with European rivals. Spanish-America
and Brazil they reasoned, would continue TO sell
| their coffee sugar, rubber hides, dye-woOds ana
| fruits wherever there was market for them: Dut
when they had anything TO buy they would avoid
the dearest and go to the cheapest market. Until
raw materials were cheapened, they added. Amer
leans could not hope TO manufacture on even
terms with England, France and Germany. The
tariff must first co. and then all things would
| be fulfilled.
One position can be turned as easily as the
| other or the imports received in Southern coun-
tries. at least 70 per cent manufactures which
have free raw materials in the United states.
| Those manufactures which heavily protected
there are not those which come TO these countries
| in large quantity from Europe. Jamaica, for eX-
ample, imports 81 ,536,438 of cotton goods ana
only S137,456 of woollen goods, and the proper
ton is even larger for Brazil and other countries
Blankets. carpets, upholstered furniture, felts,
heavy cloth and linens are imported sparngly.
The bulk of the manufactures required in these
markets are those which are most lightly pro
tected in the United States, and for which free
raw materials are available even without the re-
bate allowed for the export trade When, there
fore the docrinaires lay stress upon the necessity
| of having free raw materials before active COM
| petition can he successfully conducted IN South
ern markets, they make concession which Writ
ually opens the greater part Of the field 10 Amer
| lean manufacturers and exporters. Few OF those
goods which are heavily protected in the United
States are wanted here at any price. What are
wanted are cottons, boots and shoes and manu-
features Of paper, leather, hides, skins, glass,
rubber iron and Steel for which free raw mate
rails are furnished already, or which have been
so greatly cheapened in price by competition under
| the protective system as TO be on level WIN
| European goods. Americans are not compelled
TO wait for an era Of free trade before making a
vigorous effort to supply these markets with what
is needed 1t is not their tariff that Is at fault
and stands in their way. 1t is ignorance of the
requirements and conditions of Southern trade
that is the chief obstacle 10 the development OF
their export trade Maritime energy, by which a
! commercial marine can be brought into existence
under the national flag is also lacking; mercantile
energy has been confined 10 the home market ana
the foreign field surrendered TO foreigners and
Southern countries have been allowed to receive
as Qratuites commercial privileges OF tremendous
magnitude which ought to have been maze the
basis of equitable reciprocity.
An ounce OF practical experience is worth
mound Of theoretical statement. During my stay In
| Jamaica. have conversed frequently with Cap
tain D. F. Murphy, an enterprising American
merchant. who, in a short period, has established
n large and profitable trade not only with the
island but with Hayti and Central America
/ 4 New. England manufacturer Of boots and shoes,
| he has succeeded in displacing, 60 a large eX-
| tent English goods of this class in Jamaica and
has demonstrated the practicability of opening
n large market in the South for wide range OF
American manufactures Before making Kingston
his Headquarters for wholesale trade, he trav-
elled through Nicaragua and other portions OF
| Central America, and convinced not only himself.
but also a syndicate OF New-England manufact-
urers. that Americans were negecting field
for enterprise that white already for harvest.
| I have taken pains to run over with captain
| Murphy q schedule Of exports from the United
| States and to note down his comments upon the
chances and opportunities for largely increasing
their volume. His Judgment, being based upon
| experience and marked success in establishing
a profitable business, is entitled TO great weight.
BEGINNING with his own speciality, Captain
| Murphy says that while shoes of English and
German manufacture below 10 cents are cheaper
than American goods; the condition is reversed
for all above that price At Is cents and up to
81 %, q pair Of American shoes will average
| 0 Der cent less than foreign goods; from 81 %
IN 81 Is the average cost will be IL per cent
less and from 1915 to 49, English, German,
French and Austrian Shoes will cost 20 per
cent more than NewEngland shoes When Cap
tain Murphy arrived in Jamaica there was strong
prejudice against American shoes. Now every
retail dealer is compelled to sell them because
the goods are cheaper, and at the same time
superior to those of foreign make. OF harness,
trunks, valises and other manufactures Of leather
there is a large consumption in Southern markets
and there is nothing in the way of the intro
ducton Of American goods, since European goods
can be undersold. American leather is now en-
ported to Germany in large quantities and
shipped to Central America 10 be sold at high
prices American merchants have only to make
| call s,atr Ioot larf INa
in that market.
The sale Of American furniture, Captain Mur
ply asserts, can be trebled in Southern countries
if large stocks can be displayed in wholesale
houses Rubber goods, for which free raw ma
teral is supplied from Brazil, Colombia ant
Central America. can be sold at prices ffteer
per cent lower than English importatiOns. Their,
is n very large demand for rubber blankets
| A,ntnrAr.nls hnseninn and oil