New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-07-16

part Of the main building assigned 10 beIsluHi'
series of obec: may be found which are cal
culated to Gear up problem interesting 10 Ameri-
can minds. They consist OK collections made year
by year by agents of the Belgian Consular service
abroad. under the direction Of the Ministry OF
Foreign Affairs They were first deposited In Ant
werp on the occasion OF the Exposition OF 1885, but
there formation began in 1873, and they were hrst
exposed to the public long ago the National
Exposition OF 1880. The method then adopted has
been persevered in resulting in splendid COM
merclal museum constantly kept up 10 date and
ready for the practical study OF merchants and OK
manufacturers
The collections comprise samples OF all objects OF
merchandise which might possibly interest Belgian
industry and commerce. they actually sold in
the various consular stations. Each article Is
labelled with rs name the place Of sts manufact
ure its conditions tsuch width In clotn) the price
for which 1t is sold al retail and, far as possible.
It's cost the native merchant he receives IL
from the middeman directly from the factory.
In this way the whole study of the English trade
in cotton goods In Mexico be read by Belgian
manufacturer who should wish TO know his chances
Of success In that market. These collections repre-
sent the possible exports from Belgium Itself. with
the actual competition the parttof foreign manu-
facturers Similar collections made Of foreign
articles which might be imported directly Into
Belgium Without passing through the hands OF
foreign mldlemen
.abcs. are accompanied by double series Of
pOrfs-thOse OF the consular ageats themselves and
those furnished by the various Chambers OF Com
merce. The former give a full explanation OF the
foreign market, the latter Of the Begian means Of
supplying its demands IN this way both manu-
factUrers home and their agents abroad kept
constantly Informed to all essentials OF their
trade. There Is danger. FOR example. mas
more than once happened totEnglish firms in DUTY
lng portions Of c!viizaon,,of their pacing on the
market Goth " width not agreeing with some
provincial costume or Of violating the tradtlons Of
Soryian and Bulgarian women In the co.ors given
q hanIkerchefs and the chama hc1ddress.
Americans may well stare AZ al this serious prep
araron for international commerce Their
chief Exports. consisting in the natural products Of
the earth scarcely demand this study OF the for
cign marke; in detail. But such study IL s)re.y
needed for that development ~ the natona. IN
dus'ry which the increa population Of the United
states renders 50 des'ribie. In Begun these op-
portunitcs Of study ara furnished by the Govern
men'. which considers this opening Of the way 10
national Industry 70 b" a part OF Is proper task.
In England such matters rather left . the
parties Interested; IN France they seem 10 belong
- the Chambers Of Commerce. with the help u
special reports madeIou, by agents Of the Govern
ment. The Belgium museum has the advantage OF
being open 10 everyone. II Is also both instructive
and interesting 70 others than the men Of business
who chiefly profit by IT, But wherever manufact-
urers have secured noursfing export trade Il has
been by an Intelligent study Of the market the
spot and not by haphazard hawking about OF
their wares until the market created or found
The Ministry OF Foreign Affairs. in the preface 70
ihe first volume Of the catalogue OF This original
museum. laid down the guiding principle OF its for
nation The Consuls make known the business
operations which possible: they point their
elements and the basis which they should rest
II remains FOR the private enterprise OF manufact-
urers. am 81 the agents who represent them with
the consumer. 10 profit by tn Information thus
given and 10 conform articles designed for export
alton with the models which have been furnished
them"
Those who dream OF reform In the American
consular service may speculate at Will the posi-
bic Tor IMPOSSIBLE application OF such a principle in
connection with the foreign trade OF the United
States. Looking around Antwerp. one may find an
other and more important factor working in favor
u the Belgium manufacturer. at least in securing
him the commercial intelligence necessary TO the
success OF private enterprise II is that
which chiefly political have hitherto prevented
It's Introduction into the Belgian consular service
This factor - the reality given 10 the higher
commercial education. 1t may properly be said
that the Ins,ltut SUPERIOR de Commerce Of Ant
werp Is a university OF commerce. This is in
spite OF many drawbacks. which. happily. do not
operate disastrousy In Belgium in countries
where private initiative is more closely controlled
by the state. Ii Is only the more worthy Of study
by free Americans. II was created by a royal de-
cree In ls52 but this has somehow never been fol-
an authority similar to that q the universities and
Ia wing the official sanction OF the Ecole des autes
Etudes Commentaries OF Paris In fact the French
state recognizes eight such schools OF wnich three
are IN Paris Itself ana one each in the great com,
and Marseiles The diplomas OF these schools
enter into the Government programme OF studies
ent movement In the foreign commerce OF France
especially In its colonial branches, may rightly he
mental eGupmeni makes them ready for the serv-
tee OF Government, Chambers or commerce, syndi-
Individual business firms They give that first
adequate report OF the commercial field which
In February 1893. OF the two administrators
OF the Cercle OF former students OF the Antwerp
needs OF successful International commerce in
speech from his place in Parliament. Besides being
president 81 the General Society Of the Travellers
% commerce mot quite commercial tray ,t r.
Is a leading partner in n commerce OF woods for
p4oS both tn IN Bsan m
Is not. therefore. man OF theory, fresh from I'M
had the succeeding fourteen years In practical in
The ccrcI, Of former students who represent the
highest commercial interests OF the country. shows
TIM weight 10 be attached to his words: .,.. ...
enough FOR merchant or a manufacturrr to sue
coed in his business At present. In order not to be
sable that should have the requirements needed
to be able TO inform oneself quickly on the condi-
tons and situation " commerce In the countries
with which one wishes 10 open up relations" Bel
gan business men. he went on 70 complain TOO
often have to make Of a crowd OF burdensome
intermediate agents whenever they wish 10 enter
into relations with foreign countries. They do NOT
find themselves I'm situation 10 inform themselves
directly OF what goes abroad. Now, this Is
aituntlon that exists neither In England nor In Ger.
nany In all the great industrial establishments OF
those countries 10y the side OF technical men there
are commercial men with Il perfect knowledge or
foreign languages men who have studied and trav-
elled. and who supply the manufacturers with use
fu Information for extending their business rela-
tOn,"
All this was by way OF preface TO an urgent APP
peal that the Antwerp school should be placed on
better footing. The speaker was seconded in the
Senate by NJ Nerbeke. senator for Ostcnd. who
Il cared pertinenty; People still Imagine too much
that commerce Is a career good for those who have
not wished 10 go through their studies whereas.
on the contrary. there Is branch that demands
more varied and extensive scientific requirements"
However this may be, the Antwerp Institute ~