The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-08-28
TO EXPAND OUR TRADE
CONSULAR AGENT GRIFFIN SEES AN
OPPORTUNITY IN FRANCE.
He Thinks Our Machinery Manufac-
Attack on Continental Markets.

NEW YORK, Aug. 27-The American
consular agent at Limoges, France, Walter
4. Griffin, writes to the State Department,
says the Washington correspondent of the
Tribune, that the British manufacturers al
most entirely supply the large department
stores both in Paris and in the provinces.
Fine silk, derby and soft felts and the finer
grades of straw hats are manufactured out
side of France. The material of which the
latter are made is Identical with that used
in making the same goods in America. Mr..
Griffin calls the attention of American man
ufacturers to the INSCRIPTIONS action of
certain French dealers, who, in their in
ferior homemade hats, put fictitious names
with New York. as the address. This
shows that American manufacturers ex-
porting to Europe should have their trade
marks registered. He recommends Amer
lean matters to study the French market.
Another export suggested is preserved
meats. Just now there is special reason for
activity, because two or three of the estab-
lishments erected in France to overcome i'm
portations of American meats have met
with unfortunate experiences. Mr.. Griffin
says that the French packers have not the
supply, nor do they possess the experience
of the largest and best equipped American
preserved fruits has been steadily growing
The demand for dried apricots, pears, rails
ins, canned apricots, peaches, plums and
cherries from the United States surpasses
that of any other country, not excepting
France itself. Samples must be attractive
ly packed and put on the market early.
France is ambitious to make improvements
in her marine service and 1t is probable that
the prices of iron and steel will advance.
This consular agent declares that now is
the time to make an assault on the iron and
steel market of Europe. He further says
that one of the effects of the Spanish
American war has been to give Europeans
a better knowledge of the ability of the
United States to manufacture Instruments
OF precision. He quotes A leading French
man as saying: America has astonished
the world with the accuracy of her imple-
ments and machinery; her steel ships resist
older countries. Her intricate machinery
does not get out of order so quickly and
stands crucial tests far beyond the power
of European apparatus, and there are fewer
failures because there are fewer defects.
This is due to her instruments of preci-
SION" Mr.. Griffin suggests that this coun-
try take advantage of this reputation and
supply France with the machinery she de-
SlreS to increase her manufactures. A care
full study should be made of the needs of
the French market and of the best and
quickest way Of meeting them. The best
man to send to France to represent Amer
lean manufacturers is an American speak
ing French.
Consul General Dubois, at ST. Gall, says
that Zurich is the distributing point in
Switzerland for most of the imports that
come from the United States. He gives a
large list of such imports, with the names
of the States from which they come, re-
spectively. He finds, for example, lathes
and shapers from New York and New Jer-
sey, railroad iron from New York and
Pennsylvania agricultural implements and
machinery from Ohio, New York and Indi-
ana, rifles and revolvers from Connecticut
and New York and various fruits and wines
from California.
Consul F'rankenthal, at Berne, in giving
the number of commercial travellers in
Switzerland licensed in the last three years,
notes the fact that not one is credited to
the United States. He says further, if cir
culars must be sent they should be in Ger
man or French. In few. cases he thinks
printers ink may be of service, but live
representative, who can speak these Ian
guages, would be of inestimable value to
houses desiring to open trade with Switzer-
land. The Swiss are conservative, and will
not accept goods c. o. D., and, therefore,
credit for a reasonable time should be al
lowed. The Canton of Berne is suffering
for modern labor machinery and novelties.
and he suggests that a sample room there
would be of the greatest benefit.