New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-05-22
A MEXICAN TRADE WITH PERU
A TALK WITH MINISTER HICKS.

ONLY THE LACK OF DIRECT STEAMSHIP LINES
PREVENTS THE UNITED STATES FROM
LEADING IN THE COMMERCE OF
THE LAND OF THE INcAs.
The American Minister to Peru, John Hicks. returned
from that country few days ago with his family
lie expects TO transact some business here ana III
Washington and he Will probably remain in the United
States for about sixty days lie gave to The Tribune
Interesting information regarding affairs In feru'
and also spoke at length the prospect anu poss'o9
OF increasing the trade relations between ths country
md the South American Republic His observation
and his knowledge OF the goods required py the
Peruvian merchants show that American goods could
lie sold there readily on their merits, and could COM
pete OH the scoc Of cost also with goods OF German
and English manufacture II II we're not Tor the hsh
freight rates ruling between American ports and ports
on tho OF South America. owing 10 the lack
OF direct steamship connections. Foreign manufactur-
ers have great advantage. for steamers ply regularly
between the coast OF South America and many
European ports and their rates. viii be seen from
the interview which Is given herewith, are exceedingly
low and favorable.
Mr.. Hicks SAID "The relations between Peru and
the United States now exceedingly friendly. The
political situation there quiet. EAPresdent Caceres.
able man. has just come back from London and
Paris. where he stationed Peruvian Minister 10
France and England. He has been elected a
Deputy. and will take his seat when the Congress
assemblies In July lie will then probably be elected
president OF the House OF Deputies and in s94 expects
to secure his reelection President of the Republic
Mr.. Hicks asked about the Grace contract.
This is the contract by which the state railways. for
nery controlled BY the Peruvian Government, passed
into the hands Of English bondholdes about two
ago. "Are people satisfied with the result ?" Mr.
Hicks asked.
"well, no." he replied. "They expected more
money. But 1t may come later. There has not, how
ever, been great increase in the value of property.
and the expected improvement in business has not
como yet. The English bondholdcrs now en-
gagged in building the extensions which they
required build by the provisions of the contracts
The work contemplaes the addition of 125 miles Of
railway TO the present system The work, however, is
being carried under great natural difficulties for
both lines the Oroya and Cuzco lines, 1900
feet above the level. The great tunnel through
the Cordillera is the highest In the world, being
10000 feet above the 1t is built on the
IRENE height of the Andes. and the water on one
side runs of into the Pacific and on the other
into the Atlantic Ocean. The tunnel practically
completed by Henry Meggs but will have TO be partly
retmbered In constructing it locomotive had to
be taken apart carried mp in pieces mules backs.
and put together again when the other side Of the
mountains reached. This may give idea
Of the difficulty attending the work. Yes the loco
motive was an American one. For the new work,
believe, all the rolling stock used the road comes
from the United States, while the rails. l Think
now come from England. The material for the cele.
brated Verrugas Bridge, you know, also made |
In the United States"
"Do any OF the Americans formerly connected with |
tho railways still retain their places?"
"Yes, some OF them still there. John L. Thorn
dyke is lie has the subcontact for the Oroya
Tunnel and also manages that line
Then Mr.. Hicks approached the important question |
of the best methods for extending trade with Peru.
" The is the old one said he. but it still
holds good. Our chance of trade with Peru depends |
on steamship facilities. steamship communication |
with Peru would put the United states on a basis |
OF even competition with other nations. Now this |
country is handicapped, for freight from Liverpool TO
Peru can be shipped at an astoundngly low figure.
II this obstacle could be removed feel that |
We could do much business with Peru, both in |
feeding that country and supplying it with manu- |
featured goods. A travelling for combinaJ IN Of
American manufacturers whom / met in Lima |
told me that he had sold So5o!0OO
worth of goods in Chilli. The amount |
Of goods sold not the most striking part either
lie had sold them English and German merchants
and the goods were such things as knives and forks
lamps and electrical goods. dentists materials and in
struments. Just the kind of goods that these people
one English house had bought 900 dozens OF Amer
can plated knives and forks from him. - But fregh1s
Ing our commerce with Peru. Without direct steam |
ship facilities that VIII enable us freight
points the west coast OF south America without
transferring them at any point, cannot do much |
II goods have TO be unloaded the Isthmus and trans
ferred the cost Of freight becomes too high to admit
Of competition To show you what would have |
to compete with. freight transported alton has been |
offered from Liverpool 10 part OF the west coast
Of South America at 10 shlllings 81 so OF our
money ton. This is since the line of thirteen
large steamers. running steamer month. has
been put into operation Even before them Peru had
good accommodations for both freight passenger
traffic. furnished bv the Pacific Steam and Navigation
Company. That company also has put two large
new steamers running from Liverpool. OF course the
freight rate ! have mentioned is nnCOmmCnlv low.
Before II about double that and sometimes was
as high 800 ton. But there must be business
for these steamers thew wouldn't be put How
can the United States expect 10 sell goods in Peru
burg and other distant European ports Four or
FIVE English lines. two three German lines and
Others furnish such good facilities that there IS
steamer almost every day, but none for the United
States.n
'.Would a line of American steamers running be-
tween California and the South American ports help
the trade ~
"Well. even the goods from Eastern markets
would have be transferred at san Fr1ncl'co The
Nicaragua Canal would help no doubt. although.
foreign steamers would also take advantage
OF It, do why foreign nations can afford
10 run steamers regularly and frequently and why
Spanish ports like Lisbon and barcelona APP
parently afford 10 do II and find II profitable, and
fall to see WHY NewYork cannot do it,
A (yJI n THIEF GIVES HERSELF Up