The times., 1899-01-26
A GOOD MARKET IN FRANCE.
Consul Thncknrn Reports Concern
ing American Fruit and Lumber.

I
The subject of american Fruit and
Lumber in France is interestingly treated
in report from Consul Thackara. of
Havre. which was made public by the State
Department yesterday. Mr. Thackara says
in part:
When considers that organized eFo-t to
introduce our goods abroad is still in its infancy.
IT is surprising know that the exports from
the United States last wear amounted to almost
SlTpDO.OOo month The short crop OF cereals
IN Europe, neceSsitating large importations Of
all kinds OF grain. las much to with swelling
the amount; but still the exports Of other pro-
ducts reached imposing total
To introduce goods into foreign markets
quircs as much skill and energy it does to
exploit them at home. Our people begin
ming to realize tlnt the amount OF money
wisely expended in bringing American goods TO
the attention apt foreign consumers rs Is spent
annually in sending commercial travellers
through country. Will in almost every
case secure outlets abroad for surplus pro-
duets. l of the opinion that if intelii
gent representative wcre sent to Europe, one
who can speak at least the French language
French and German would be hcttcr-tO visit
different commercial centres and investigate the
existing economic conditions, he would he able
to make business connections which would be
highly remuncrdtivc.
have had several interviews with some OF the
principal importers in Iavre and they tell me
that there is not much chance of a market for
with those from Spain, Greece, and Turkey
which he placed on the French market at
low prices. All these nations allowed TO
import their goods into France under mini
mum tariff, while the United States is not 80
favored. BY the terms of the reciprocal com
mercial arrangement between the United states
and France. all fruits were allowed to be i'm
ported into France under the minimum tariff
except raisns, which have TO pay the maximum
tariff.
In my opinion. there is excellent oppor-
| tunity to introduce dried and canned decidnous
fruits and citrus fruits into France Considerable
trade is already being done with the United
Stataes. especially in chopped and evaporated
! apples and pears. There is always demand for
American dried apricots, il the prices are not too
! high. Those raised in this country are seldom
dried and are not in sufficient quantities to sup
| ply the demand
! The demand for prrInes in France depends al
/ most entirely upon the native crop. This season.
| the large sizes being imported into France
| from the United States, while the smaller sizes
/ are being exported from this country. brisk
| trade is being carried in the large SIZES es-
! peciay in Santa Clara prunes. There was a
] fair demand for Oregon prunes. but the prepara-
| tion OF the latter leaves much be desired. In
! cases the fruit arrived in fermented state.
! There is also demand for dried peaches
J nectarines, and pears. canned apricots, and
peaches. and apricot pulp in tins Canned fruits
should always he shipped in water, without sugar.
! as the heavy French customs duties on sugar
| make the importation Of sweetened canned fruits
| almost pTohibitive.
! kind of lumber, although California red wood
| is almost entirely unknown.
/ An American iumher broker of Hayrc informs
( me that he has made several attempts to sell
/ Cdrgoes OF this lumber for foreign account in
France, but far has been unsuccessful. Three
I difficulties stood in the way:
/ The price wanted 10y the American exporter
/ has always been little higher than the French
! importers could afford to pay.
| The voyage from the Pacific being long one
! the terms per cent discount ior cash, payment
/ on date OF arrival freight deducteti)-were held
| out for by the French importer, the American ex-
/ pOrters' terms being four months from date Of
! bill OF lading.
/ The smallest vessel which could he chartered
( was OF a capacity Of about G0.OO0 square feet.
( and this seemed too much for trill shipment
Fifty Thousand square feet would be ample, a.
I the wood i not generally known.
| II these difficulties could be surmounted, the
lumber broker quoted j. under the impression that
( n market for California red wood could be built
(