Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-05-09


to be made in half that time. In other words,
the monopolists charge in the neighborhood
/ OF ten cents per mile for transporting YOU
I from Chill to the United States either to
California or win the istbmus to New York;
and only about two cents per mile to Europe
| Not only that. but the English corporation
which controls navigation on the western side
| Of the hemisphere seems to have purposely ar
ranged Tvs timetables so as to miss connection
with the New York steamers at the Isthmus.
Nine times out OF ten passengers are landed at
Panama day CT two after the Pacific Mail has
ieft Aspinwal for the north. and are compelled
10 endure the danger, annoyance and expense
OF more than a weeks stay on the fever
haunted isthmus-when, at some seasons of the
year, few hours is quite long enough to give
one his everlasting quietus. Freight and mails
are subject to the same treatment and it looks
as IL the whole thing were scheme to divert
South American trade from the United States
to Europe.
TRADE AGAINST THE UNITED STATES.
have recently interviewed some merchants
on this subject and have cleaned the following
facts: Half century ago Chill received more
goods from the United States than from any
other country; but now we como fourth on the
quantity, Germany second and France third
Inc principal reason of cur falling off 10 from
lack OF decent means of Communication. Ship
ments from the northern republic are generally
made at New York or Boston. although a few
articles come from Philadelphia and others
from Baltimore. They must either 20 away
down around Cape Horn or be landed at Aspin-
wall transported by rail across the isthmus and
reshlpped at Panama. The freight charges
from New York to Valparaiso via the isthmus
are more than double that from European ports
70 tne same destination, and it 10 sald to be
about 80 per cent cheaper to ship goods from
New York to Europe and thence to South
America than to send them by way of Panama.
30 very high are steamer rates Of Transport
fatlon from the United States that most goods
are sent by sailing vessels around the Horn,
occupying from four to six months in transit.
One great reason why the CHILEAN merchant
prefers to trade with England is because the
goods arrive in the same steamer with the bill
OF iadlng, and ninety days OF grace being al
lowed on the latter, he has n chance to realize
his profit before making payment. II from the
United States the bill comes by steamer in
about thirty days, while the goods require
nearly half year to be waited by sails; and it
oiten happens that he has to pay for things he
has never seen months before their arrival.
HOW We COULD INCREASE ouR TRADE.
Another inducement to European trade Is
the advantage to the shipper of being sure Of
return cargo; while with the United States at
the present status OF commercial relations the
voyage ore way Is pretty sure to be dead loss
Another unfavorable circumstance is that the
heavier merchants in Chill are almost uniyer-
sally Europeans, and they naturally look for
european goods; whereas. were Yankees en-
gagged In business here. they would use home
articles whenever practicable. The ubiquitous
commercial traveller, with his grip-sack, fiirta-
tious propensities and chronic smile ia not
abroad in South America as at the north:
neither is advertising carried to any such ex-
tent. Many leading United States firms issue
nouces and price lists especially for the South
American trade, generally printed in the two
languages; but by far the better plan would be
TO advertise as extensively and attractively in
the local papers of these cities where their
wares are little known. as at hopas where the
public is familiar with them.
But IN spite OF al drawbacks Chill received
from the United States last year about 20. $685.
2SI worth of goods The last Official statement
saw gave the total annual imports a. approx
mating s39, 34l .35l in value and the exports
Guiding guano, saltpeter and precious metals.
WHAT We Do SILL CHILL
The principal articles received from the
United States are agricultural implements, ma
chinery. cotton goods, lumber and paraffine
Our country now does a good business with
Chill in the hardware line though formerly
England monopolized it The screws used In
Chilli yet come from Great Britain. but all the
nails from the United States. Wall paper is
another item OF considerable EXPORT The
cheaper grades come from Germany. also COM
mon printing paper and coarse stationery: but
everyt thing in the art line of wall papers be-
sides the novelties and superior grades of sta.
tonery, are received from the United States.
The duties and high rate OF exchange prevepf
much importation Of furniture though uood
many eane-bottomed chairs are received
Ready-made frame work for the most expensive
chairs and sofas is imported to be upholstered
here. and "knock-down" articles. in trade par
lance-that Is, in pieces, to be put together
when arrived Excellent furniture ia made Il,
the country, but the cabinet woods including
mahogany. walnut, oak, cherry, &C.. are ali
imported. Pianos come chiefly from France
and Germany, and are commonly of the cheaper
grades, though what with Recommendation
charges. duties and high rate Of exchange. thew
cost more than tie bcs. of them For these
reasons there Is little sale for fine pianos here
such a. Chickering's. Steinways, Knabes, &c.
COTTON CLOTH But NOT woorkxs
The United States furnishes Chilli with most
OF her cotton cloth, but until Uncle Samuel
makes some different arrangement in regard TO
the tariff on wool he can never compete with
Europe In the manufacture of wooden goods.
All the drugs, too, come from Europe, except a
few pills, piasters, patent medicines and spe-
cialties. Many of the familiar pictures which
grace the walls at home are -ee,i here
All the kerosene used in Chill comes from the
United States The coal is mostly dug in the
country-notably at Coronei Lota and Punto
Arenas. the latter place being the convict col
ony at the tip-end OF the continent: and little
anthracite Is imported. from England The
United States furnishes most of the clocks srti-
Giles manufactured from India-rubber refined
sugar, lubricating oils. soaps. perfumes and
Yankee notions" Our si.yer-plated ware in
IN great demand, and much preferred TO that of
any other country. Chill makes her own Arc
works and uses great quantity Of them; but
gets al her gunpow,ier as well as most of her
munitions OF warfare from Europe A few
wagons are sent down from the United States
but not many timer vehicles as there are several
carriage manufactures in the country. Va
supply most OF the materials, howeyer-hubs
springs, trimmings and even the wood that h
used; but Us good carriages are made here a.
anywhere in the world. Harnesses saddlsrv
and stirrups are also manufactured in ths
country.
BONANZA yoA pENrrsrs
Most Of the materials used in photoersohx
including all the plates. come from the United
States. Despite heavy duties thereon. the boo,
photographers manage to worry dong by
charging SIS per dozen for eabinst-size photos
As the natives IRE excessively given to having
their pictures taken, the artists, as o rule, not
only succeed In making both ends meet but
lay by something for rainy weather. The
dentists, too, nine tenths OF whom are from The
land of the stars and stripes, keep the wolf 4
long way from the door by charging outrageous
( prices, compared to which the teu-dollsr-an.
hour rule Of Aexico ID . mere bagatelIs know
lady Who had the misfortune to loosen falss
tooth FROM the front OF her plate. She rushed
| TO the nearest dental surgeon, and what do Won
/ think he charged her for sticking that rame
\. $3.50 To- 49, 81 IL