The times., 1898-05-29
SPANISH AMERICAN TRADE
Consul Piumacher DwellS Upon
Its Extension.
SOME FAVORABLE OPENINGS
Yankee Capital Could Soon Defect
the Flow of Imports and Exports
Europe Now Has the Call I'm
VenezuIa "A Chance for Ten or
Twelve Young Men.

e. Fl. Plumacher, consul of the United
States at Maracabo, has sent the fol-
lowing report TO the State Department:
THE establishment of the Caracas
warehouse by the National Association of
Manufacturers and the proposed exposi-
ton in 1899 by the Philadelphia museums
are steps in the right direction and will be
of incalculable value in enhancing our
commercial relations with Central and
South America.
ut is time for our people to try to con-
quer share of South American trade.
A few days ago l was fortunate enough
to obtain a copy of the European Econo-
mist, from which 1 take the liberty to
quote the following in regard to the bust
ness expansion of the Germans in South
America:
1t is worth while to study the enormous exten-
sion Of financial, industrial, and mercantile
terprises of the Germans in South America. We
find in Brazil the Brazilian Bank, with capital
of l0,000.000 marks in Rio de Jsneiro Sac
Paulo, and Santos; the Deutsche Uberseeisehe
Bank, with capital of 20, 900 600 marks. in
Buenos Ayres and Valparaiso; the Deutsche Bank
of Chile, with a capital of 100000 marks in
Valparaiso. Germany is interested in Brazilian
mines and railroads 10 the extent of 81 000,000
MARKS. IN feneZuela the GeTfnanS nave invested
go 0O0. 900 TO 60,00oo coo marks in railroads.
siderable number OF industrial enterprises of
ious kinds have been created in South America
under their ausp.ces-breweries, hat and shoe
factories, paper mills, coach factories, soap and
candle factories. cotton factories, ioundries, ma
chine shops, etc
They have contributed much capital to the
foundation OF Liebig's meatextract factories they
have invested millions in the saltpeter mines Of
Chile and in the mines of Peru. 1t is not easy
10 estimate the total Of German capital invested
in financial and industrial enterprises, but from
the best information available we give the follow
ing data: In Guatemala the Germans have in
vested l40 600 600 marks; in Mexico, $751; coo eco;
in Venezuela. 200,0O0000 marks; in Brazil CO.,
UOO,0CO marks, and in Chile. 600 marks.
In my consular district CMaracaibo)
we have German houses which export
for their own account over s.. .0o0 600 worth
of coffee in year. not to mention other
articles. If l should estimate the Ger
man capital invested in this district, IL
would run high into millions of dollars;
and it is the same in the other consular
districts Of Venezuela, OF United States
capital. there is not dollar invested in
this district, This foreign capital is one
OF the obstacles TO the expansion of our
trade; and there is also the composition
with the experience of the Germans
their thorough business training. their en-
durance, their knowledge of foreign Ian
guages. their patience and attention to
details.
in my report printed in Commercial
Relations, 1856, / explained at length
the situation. illustrated the methods en-
ployed by the German houses, and insist
ed that If we wished to share in South
American trade we must initiate them
Our consuls have for years furnished
the Department of State with much valu-
able Information and advice, which has
been printed in our Consular Reports. If
| they have been read with interest by our
own people, they have been also carefully
studied by foreigners in Europe and
translated into their language, and, re-
gret to say. in many cases our sugges-
tions have been eagerly taken up by
| them Expositions will also benefit our
| commercial adversaries.
''As 1 suggested in my report printed
| in Commercial Relations. 1856. l be-
lieve it would be well for our merchants
and manufacturers to send their sons or
| relatives to South America to study the
language, country and habits Of the peo-
| pie, and become acquainted with the busi-
| ness methods of this country. Arrange
ments should be made with well-situated
| houses in South America to accept our
young men in their business. They should
| possess some business training before be-
| ing sent here.
In my opinion, a young man should be
able to live in most places in South
America on 500 to $500 gold year In
the space of three to four years he should
| have mastered the language thoroughly
| and have studied the customs of the peo-
| pie and the branches of the trade which
| he intends to follow in short. he should
| be fit to open his own business or to at
| tend successfully TO the interests of his
commercial friends in the United States
For years, elaborate speeches have been
made in meetings of our State boards
! of trade upon the necessity of taking
our share in Central and South American
commercial affairs; and thousands of dol
| lars have been spent for beautiful cata-
logues in the English language, which,
am sorry to say, nobody except our COM
mercial adversaries read here. If a