The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-08-04
AMERICANS IN MEXICO.
Old European Firms Alarmed by the
Commercial Invasion Going On.


CITY OF MEXICO. July So-American
merchants who visit the larger cities OF
sIexico with the view OF establishing
themselves in business wonder why they
are received with evident displeasure.
The strangers mission is one OF the hrst
things about which inquiry is made II
he has money to use IN the development
OF raw materials, the building OF factories
or the like, no end OF cOurtesles are
shown him Should the object OF his
visit be the Establishment OF a mercantile
business. he is not only left 20 look after
his affairs without assistance, but also Is
frequently hindered In many petty ways.
The cause of this attitude in a country
whose people otherwise are remarkaos
for their politeness and hospitality Is d.
rectly traceable TO the trade artagonism
and Jealousy OF the old-established Euro
pean business firms, who dread anything
in the line Of American competition. The
Germans, together with the French, Eng
lish and Spanish, have controlled the
Mexican trade for many decades past.
and a lucrative one It has been for them.
AS a result OF extensive dealings In Next
CO the wealthy houses of Hamburg Bre-
men. London. Paris. and Madrid have es-
can cities. all af which have proved god
mines. With the trade OF the country in
their hands the Europeans were not slow
10 get a cheap grade OF goods for export
10 Mexico. and these they are still bring
ing into the country.
In the past few years American manu-
facturers have been paying considerable
attention % the Mexican trade, introduc-
ing goods far superior 10 the European
I . 80 f..fI.
all competition. The first general attempt
on the part of he Americans to Introduce
their wares into the country gave the
Europeans a fair taste OF American COM
petition. and they soon realized that this
competition might assume serious pro-
portions. Consequently. when Americans
began to look 20 Mexico as a field for
mercantile investment and prosperous
American firms established branches In
the larger Mexican cities. the ill-will OF
the Europeans grew into open antag-
onlsm. in which the Germans, who were
most concerned showed themselves fore
most. Partly through the influence ex-
erted by the oid-established German
houses. and partly 10 shield themselves
against a common rival. the English the
French. the Spanish and. in some cases.
the native Mexican merchants. though
with more moderation and a fairer show
OF courtesy than characterized the Ger
mans. adopted a policy OF persistent an
tagonsm toward the Americans.
Those actions do not necessarily sig
Nifty fear on the part OF the Europeans,
that they cannot meet American compe-
tition. but rather dread at the prospects
OF having TO give up their slow and easy
going business methods for the more pro-
gressive ones of the wonderful Yankee.
As any enterprising American Is called In
this country.
1t is OF an uusual thing now to see an
American who embarked in business a
few years ago. with a mere thousani dol
lars or less, the poseessor OF pretenti-
Gus establishment with large and pro-
fitabie trade. Far from adapting him.
self 10 the customs OF the country. the
American merchant infuses into his bu-
sineSc the same dash ana vigor that mark
successful career in his native land
II he starts out Ia a small way ne
soon aspires from the retail 10 the whole
sale and manages the latter department
OF business with the same unreienting
vim and bold fnanciering that character
lied his efforts as a retailer. His clear,
sound business sense usually enables him
10 See an opportunity long before his Eu-
ropean competitors do. and his bold spec
ulative tendency causes him 10 grasp Il
as soon as II manfests itself. He is the
man OF whom the European dealers stand
In dread. They believe the United States
TO be filed TO Overlooking with such bust
ness men eager 10 settle in Mexico. ana
hence every visitor Is Hegarded with dis
trust until II Is safely established that
he does not intend 10 embark In a mer-
camille venture -New York Sun