The evening times., 1899-03-15
u. - - -
BZPOSI2IONS OF
OUR GOODS ABROAD
Favorable Comment of Con-
suls on the Proposition.
General Opinion That 1t Would
Benefit Trade.
Americas Neglect of the Great Mar
ket in France-An Exhibit
In Paris Suggested.

visibility of expositions of American goods
in foreign markets.
Consul Skinner, of Marseilles says:
Il have not the least doubt as to the
need of agencies for American goods in
Europe. If expositions bore the stamp
of Government in some manner they would
command respectful attention at once; and,
to my mind this would conduce material
ly to their success.
''At this particular juncture in public
affairs, Americans are disposed to consider
with more earnestness the wants and los
siblities of remote and uncivilized nations
than those of the richer countries of the
Old World
Without wishing to suggest any diminu-
tiOn of effort in the directions named,
would it not be well to press with more
energy our campaign among peoples Ike
ourselves, greater in individual resources
and already our best customers? In the
year 1897 the total imports received in
the city of Marseilles amounted to 2S834,-
453 metric quintals, of which the United
States supplied very large portion. Few
more important markets are to be found in
the world than this and yet, in spite of
exchanges amounting 10 many millions of
dollars between the ports of America and
Marseilles, the American flag has not been
seen in the harbor for AT least three years,
except floating from few yachts, and the
popular ignorance of the United States and
its resources is great.
1t seems TO me evident that a deter
mined effort should be made to put Ameri
can goods, as SUCH before the people, for
fbn ne cfoll obi inn rino
! among the consumers themselves, who,
knowing the value OF a good article, would
be its best champions in securing favora-
BILE terms of entry into the ports OF the
world. To discuss in detail the many arti
! cles of American manufacture unknown in
| Europe would be a task TOO great for the
! purpose OF this report. II is 10 the point,
however. TO mention the extreme conser-
| vatism of Old World nations as a fact re-
quiring strenuous efforts on the part OF our
! people TO overcome. IL needs no demon
| stration TO prove that one of the best meth
| DDS OF overcoming this disinclination 10
/ adopt new things, would be to maintain an
| exposition in important markets, where
| their virtues could be shown TO the best
| advantage.
1T is not sufficient, however, TO simply
advertise in the American way. We must
| have young men trained in foreign Gus
toms. familiar with the commercial Ian
| guages, and equipped with tact and pa
4 tiepce.
| Commercial Agent Atwell, of Roubax,
writes: "A practical manner of introduc-
| ing certain manufactured articles and food
stuffs into general use in France, would be
an exposition OF such products in Paris un-
| der the directly of competent agents speak
I ing French fuently. For the success Of
| the undertaking. it would be necessary for
| these agents TO visit the various towns in
! France, in order to solicit trade personally.
There seems to be a large field in
| France for the introduction OF American
| household articles, stoves tools, and lum-
ber. AT present, provincial towns depend
for these articles on Partisan dealers. This
increases the cost greatly, as there is,
! first. the expense of transportation from
the seaboard 10 Paris. with cctroi or town
| tax then the transportation 10 the final
market with additional town tax. levied
on all articles of food This could be
| avoided by direct purchases from the
| American agent, who could have the ship
| ment sent from America to the town in
| which the sale is made.
| American tools are esteemed for their
| superiority over the French. The Ameri-
can lathe is considered the best in use.
In nickeled articles, however. the attrac-
tive finish puts the tools beyond the reach
of the ordinary consumer as there is a
high duty on nickel. In America, the
workman owns his own tools and takes
pride in keeping them clean. In France,
ii is the custom to supply the workman
with his tools and, as he is consequently
careless with them. it is requisite that
they shall be of low price. Improper iu-
PRODUCTION OF American goods naturally
causes prejudice to our articles. with 6
loss OF reputation aud future trade. | be-
lieve that the foreign expositions oi
American products would meet with suffi-
cient success to warrant the undertaking
by syndicate of American merchants
and manufacturers interested in extending
their commerce"
Consul Wilbour, of Dublin, Ireland says
"EXpositions in this country in order to
attract attention. would have to be upon
large scale, involving expenses altogether
out Of proportion to any good that would
be received at first; but eventually, they
would be of benefit. In this market, every
necessary want is supplied in some form
and, except in the case of an article not
produced here-typewriters sewing ma
chimes, etc.-the seller must offer a better
article at the same price or an article
equally good at a lower price The seller
must study the market, finding out what is
in use and the price. Then II he can com
pete he must bring his wares to the no.
'iNC VI lhS pCOpit OuSu the Ttsutdi
channels of trade, or by employing agents
familiar with the customs of the people
"A stranger will rarely meet with sue.
cess. Advantage might be taken of the
country fairs, which are held in every
county and town in Ireland at stated times
There are hundreds of them, and, II cars
were taken to adapt the nature of the
merchandise TO certain localities, these
would prove of great advantage"
Consul General Beaupre writes from
Guatemala: The matter of establishins
eXpositions of American goods is one O.
great Importance, and a beginning in thi.
line has already been made by opening {
sample warehouse in Caracas, Venezuela
under the direction of the American Manu-
facturers' Association. Whether under tn,
auspices of our Government or of priyat,
enterprise, there can be no question iha
permanent trade bureaus in foreign capital
would be a great factor in expanding ou
trade.
Speaking Of South and Central America
/ am of the opinion that, from the stand
point of personal gain, a combination c
manufacturers and merchants stron,
enough to establish bureaus in all tn,
principal cities, with general office in tn
! United States, would reap far greater re
wards, proportionately than would III
whole body were the National Government
to undertake the enterprise.
, The cream of the trade of these coup
tries has been and continues in the hand
of great London exporting houses-com
mission merchants-in Hamburg, London
and other centres, and these houses bay
hundreds-yes, thousands-of customers i,
. all South and Central America; and he
cause Of their ability to buy in enormou
notwithstanding the whole product O
certain factories-they can sell cheape
than the individual manufacturer.