Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-31
With Them Success Can Be Won in
Venezuela.
ADAPTATION TO VENEZUELAN MARKETS
How the Europeans Have Been Able
to Eclipse Us.


MT. FRANCIS b. Looms, envoy extra
ordinary and minister plenipotentiary of
the United States to Venezuela, who is
in Washington on business connected with
his legation, talked Interestingly today
with a Star reporter upon affairs in that
South American republic.
venezuela is our nearest neighbor on
the continent of South America, - said Mr..
Loomis, land is reached by: very we'll
appointed modern steamships of American
construction, sailing under our flag, in six
days. 1t is natural that our relations
should be Of close and friendly nature
with Venezuela, and there has long been
a considerable bond of sympathy between
the two countries. During Venezuela's
struggle for independence many Americans
fought with her armies, and the govern
ment OF Venezuela is about to erect a
handsome monument to the memory of a
number of Americans who were o>ecuted
by the Spanish. Recent events have made
stronger the ties of sympathy between the
two countries and kindled in Venezuela
very lively sentiment of friendship for
the people of the United States. Notwith-
standing the friendly attitude which Vene-
Zuela occupies in respect to the United
States, this country does not supply her
people with as large proportion of trade
as II should
the first place, the European manufac-
turers have long felt the necessity of seek
ing foreign outlets for their products, and
Tor many years they have devoted them
selves seriously and studiously to the work
of building up foreign markets. They have
with infinite care ascertained the needs and
demands of our South American friends
ana set to work most intelligently to sup
ply their wants. They make a point of
adapting their wares to the requirements
of the locality where they are to be con-
sumed Long years of work along these
lires have produced large and profitable
trad md fhn
ropean capitalist have gone hand in hand.
one has supplied the country with manu-
tactured articles-the other has applied his
money and his brains to the work of de-
velopng the resources of South America
and building its public works.
Our government is now doing everything
within It's power to assist in the develop
meht of foreign commerce. Every diplo-
matte representative and consular officer
who is sent abroad has, l am sure thor
oughly impressed upon him the notion
that he is expected to use every legitimate
means within his power to point the way
to new markets for American goods and
to do what he Can to expand old ones.
Work of the ConsuIs.
"Consuls are encouraged to send to the
department frequent reports and observa-
lions upon foreign markets, business and
manufacturing, and the men in our service
are doing more and better work today than
they nave ever done for the advancement
OF the commercial interests of the United
States. Notwithstanding the faults of our
consular system, which results from it's
unstable character, and they are numerous
ana obvious. the consular officers of the
United States are, if we may take the tes-
Imony or foreign trade journals, writing a
larger number of useful reports than the
consular officers of any other government.
Under the present administration the
bureau OF American republics has become
an actiVe, important and powerful factor
nf
tween the United States and the Latin
American republics, and it's work is felt
and valued by all of the South Americans
win whom l have come in contact AS |
nave SAID, It's government is doing it's part
to secure foreign markets for our produce
ers; Its various branches are working
with singular intentness earnestness and
harmony In this direction but the govern
tneiit cannot Sell goods and force people
to buy them.
Must Study the Markets.
THE manufacturer and the exnorter nous+
do his full duty. If we are to sell more to
venezuela than We do, If we are to profit
ny the cordial feelings which the people of
that republic have for us, our manufac-
turers must adapt themselves and their
wares 10 the demands of the Venezuelan
market and our capitalists must do some
'hihs 10 develop the great and rich natural
resources OF the country. Then the Ven
ezuelars will feel that we have a real, ma
terlal, enduring interest in their country.
anu humDerless new channels of commerce
ana trade will be readily found. In short.
II the people of the United States EXPECT
10 get something out of the South and Cen
ral american republics they must put
something into them. They must compete
with the Europeans in strong persistent.
liberal way. They must cease to send to
South America what they prefer to make
and begin to send what the Latin-Ameri-
n
turer gives his foreign customers in all
parts of the world exactly what they ask
Tor. The American manufacturer in the
past has rather been disposed to try to
force upon the foreign markets his surplus
stock, which, in nine cases out of ten was
made for consumption in the United States
ana with special reference to local demands
Our Statesmen Ia South Americu.
1t has been rare thing to encounter a
competent American salesman in the Latin
American countries. AS a rule the Ameri-
can statesmen do not know the language
nor do they learn the customs and habits
Of the people. They do not know how to
do business in Latin-American country
and 1 have seen more than one return to
New York disguised after a stay of ten
days in Venezuela, when if he had been
a man of experience he would not have ex-
pected to accomplish much in short time,
but would have known that a longer stay
would have richly repaid him.
Capital and Brains Needed.
1.-THE country Is wonderfully rich in nat
ural resources, and all that it needs is
capital, skill and brains to deveIop it.
There are great chances for Americans In
Venezuela; l mean for men who have CAPT.
tai or are skilled in agricultural, horticul-
tural or mechanical pursuits. 1t is no
place for man without money or for pro-
fessional men.
THE Venezuelans do not raise anything
that they need for food. There are 1O,OOO,-
600 cattle on the plains and not a pound of
butter is produced. They import their
hogs, lard and -four
1T might be said that there are three
climates in Venezuela. There is the trop-
ical climate of the seacoast, where all the |
products of South Sea countries are found |
Then there is the temperate climate of the
vicinity of Caracas. Here the temperature
Is like early June the year round. Above |
this are the mountains and the great |
plains, where the cattle find range This
is a cold country. The land is well watered |
by mountain streams, and very little of 1t |
required irrigation. OF course every one
is familiar with the immense gold deposits |