New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-18
TRADE FOLLOWS THE FLAG.
ENORMOUS INCREASE OF BUSINESS PRE-
DICTED BY MERCHANTS

IN VOLUME OF SHIPMENTS AS \ RESULT
OF TERRITORIAL ACouIsITIoNs-Ex-
PERT OPINION on THE
SITUATION.
The export brokers Of New-york ana those deal
ers in manufactured products which have been
heretofore exported both 70 the West and East
Indies are not alone ready 10 exploit the
foreign markets which will he thrown open to
American manufacturers by the conclusion Of
terms % peace with Spain. but manufacturers ~
lines Of goods which the higher Spanish tariffs
have barred on; Of Spanish colonial markets
preparing to anticipate large trade with
now American territorial possessions. The United
States Government Will throw the new markets
wide open. The colonial tariffs will he Tor revenue
only. for the purposes az colonial government
economically administered. Exporters who have
already conquered market In the West indies.
Hawaii and the Philippines preparing for a
great expansion IN tn volume Of their shipments.
and many important departments ~ trade are now
turning with characteristic American promptness
md energy toward the discovery for themselves Of
the possibilities OF what have been in the past
closed markets.
TRADE WITH THE INDIES BEFORE THE WAR
For the eleven months ending May that Is to
say shortly after the with Spain was de-
clared-the United States exported u Cuba and
Porto Rico very little hesdes provisions. For
these eleven months the exports ~ lard in
value 81 o276j1 to cuba and $4,000 N Porto Rico
q bacon $7l5G3: 81 hams. snG.lss: ~ pork. $780,
Sl2. and Of taow sl1.s3i. 10 both cuba and Porto
Rico The exports OF wheat -four amounted 10
81 80 $50 cuba and 10 $50 is3 10 Porto Rico The
only other considerable exports were FOR this
period: Agricultural implements. SSH 70 cuba md
$3.50 to Porto Rico: electrical and telegraph sup
plies Joss than $500 to both places: bicycles. 1T
re over $4,000. and naval stores. sS65s. There
leo Il mn N NH and n
Rico amounting 70 about 10000" Our export trade
with the Philippines within the same time and. in
fact for the entire East Indies IL estimated
siderahly under 81 10000 Both Hawaii md Ma
Mia were heavy exporters TO tho United Siatea
They took money and bought litte IN return
and the balance az trade has always been IN favor
OF the Eas Indies
That New-York mapufacturers are making ready
10 pass through the open door which American
gallantrv and sta:esmanship hav" secured for
American manufacturers is made evident ny can
vGss ~ the leading export houses and manufact-
urers Everywhere in nil circles is expressed CON
ndence that the stability and security. guaranteed
By American control 81 tho now markets. Will re-
suit IN enormously profitable trade conditions
spanish American merchants and brokers are FORE
most IN expressing encouraging views ~ the no"
situation. Joaquin Meaendez. the head ~ the
firm ~ Joaquin Menendez 6 CO.. r. spansh-horn
American citizen whose house If one ~ tho odes,
IN the trad said 10 Tribune reporter at his Of
Ace No q Mliiam-s':
We are looking for u very large volume ~ trade
% the West Indies in the autumn. The cotton
goods trade t. certain 70 royive'far beyond s pro-
portions I'm the years between $50 and 1873 The
exports ~ provisions ought 20 considerably in
crease and. besides tho former staple exports. thu
now tariff 81 the Government viii permit ~ n
large demand FOR shoes Light wooliens. hardware
~ all kinds underwear. hats. shirts. collars and
cuffs. ready mad" clothing and articles ~ mat
genera description TIE wire fence men ought 10
reap rich harvest and an sorts ~ machinery Will
be in great demand"
NATIVE Cr'BANs NoH-PRoDrcERs.
Have ,ho Cuhnns money 10 pay FOR what they
want or y they haven't can they earn IT,
That's y Yankees question. and distinctly
apropos Tho trade ~ The West Indies Is very
largely IN the hands of spanIards. concerning
whom the export commission merchants know All
there IS 70 DO told The American exporters VIII
probably 10 business ~ nrst through tho commits
sion merchants. who viii guarantee tho bills. and
probably. I'm most cases pay tho money directly
70 tho manufacturers. less brokerage. ana max"
collections Tor themselves The Americans VIII
md tho Spanish merc hanis HONORABLE" and prompt
IN their business dealings Provisions. for OK
ample are sold to-day on practically cash basis.
deliveries made on Mondays and Thursdays are
collcciltia on SATURDAYS although few well
known houses pay IN from Areen 20 twenty DAYS
The naii.e Cuhans are generally non producers.
tho best or them hr" PROFESSIONAL Nl'l ~ f''Tf
doctors musicians professors. dentists and the
like The rest ar. small agricultural. or In
s,,rcen.s Believe me- continued Mr. Menendoz.
earnestly tho development 81 IN" cuban trade
viii be the result 81 a combination or Spani'h
local knowledge and American energy Native
Cubans nre no, traders. But Spaniards In cuba
generally sentimental considerations aside. VIII
welcome the now trade conditions"
7 Puc who has been FOR forty years AZ III"
heod Of . large West Indian export business. and
Who "a a spanish-Amorican well informed on West
Indian trade conditions. was seen by Tribune
rcportor ., his ONCE. No. Soonest
THE steamers which already have gone 10 San
,iago laden with provisions" sail Mr.. Puig. have
not made money because they have gone IN ahehh
OF their market General REORGANIZATION pre-
wallis and when the inhabitants can get food for
nothing from the Army and the Red Cross. natu-
rally they Will not buy r. Future trade conditions.
houeyer are highly promising There will be an
influx ~ Americans 70 both islands. and general
revival OF activity IN trade. We expect 70 snip
many now lines Of goods. and think that the de-
mand FOR them will be permanent
CREDIT CONDITIONS SATISFACTORY.
What about credits"
I'VE who familiar with tho conditions OF
trade in the West Indies DO not need the reports
~ A, mercantile agency TO inform ~ of the CON
a,,or ~ our customers. Most OF the banking
down there IL done by English houses, who give
liberal forms and make handsome advances. hut.
~ course We expect American bankers IN take
,dv,ningo 81 the situation. Everybody knows
overynodv else In trade IN Havana. and there are
very few bad debts. or course. In order To 40
business there. one must understand H. pnt WIN
such an understanding results are satisfactory
ono van think Americans will make good colon
ists?'
Nobody can say until the experiment has been
tried when We go down there. even In the WIN
Ter We grow almost as lazy as the cubans them-
hat
occlinatIng themselves. their natural energy ana
bus,ness ability will make the island extremely
prospe-ous II is the garden spot of tho earth put
IL needs experience to I've there comfortably.
VIII the Spanish object TO American admin
istrators7"