The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-07-03

An interesting report has been received
at the State Department from Consul Gen
eral Sorsby. of Nicaragua, deo.ing with
the commerce OF the republic through
which the great canal connecting the wa
tiers OF the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans
will run 1t is in part as follows:
General trade conditions ot Grevtown
and Nicaragua do not seem to differ in
any material sense from those Of Central
and South America generally. Only a
small percentage of the best grade Of mer-
chandise can be successfully introduced.
as great majority OF the people are con-
tent that an article is cheap. and they
seem to be unable to distinguish between
the imitation German manufacturers and
the more stable products of the United
States. There is, however, a fair pro-
portion Of the population not only capable
OF discrimination but who are accustom-
ed 20 and insist uDon having the finest
and best qualities.
In the staple Iines-grocertes, dry
goods, and hardware-it depends largely
upon the opportunity given the local mer-
chant 10 buy as to what countries are rep
resented; but when a preference is ex-
the American article. The local merchant
"a foreigner generality, all things being
equal, naturally prefers 10 handle the
manufacture Of his native country, and
as a rule. greater inducements, in the form
OF better terms. better packing for ship
ment, and more consideration for local
customs aand conditions, are offered by
the European manufacturer and exporter.
But consular officers have so long. per-
rnH ho
matter Of uEskilled and ignorant packing.
the want Of consideration in selection. ana
OF even ordinarily intelligent me- hods in
presenting the claims OF American goods
70 this market that IL is hardly worth while
TO further refer &c those phases OF the mat
ter, though l wish 10 emphasize the vital
importance OF realizing that in packing for
foreign shipment-and especially for these
countries. where the facilities for naLdling
cargo. even by the ocean steamers. are. as
a rule. crude and rough-methOds distinct
from those in vogue for shipments destiued
FOR the next railway station al home are re-
quired- Compactness and Iightness. TO
avoid excessive transportation and customs
charges. and strength, for protection
against rough handling. are three good
points 10 be studied and learned in packing
for shipment TO Central and South Ameri-
ca; and il is probably equally importan.
for United States manufacturers and eX-
Porters to realize that q proper knowledge
q local customs and requirements cannot
be had merely by sending out dream-of-art
catalogues This knowledge can best be
acquired as we'll as that respecting the
responsibility and general business apti-
tude OF the cutomer. by sending capable
affable. and reliable representatives, first
10 personally show and explain the class OF
merchandise sought 10 be introduced. and
second. 10 investigate the responsibility
and integrity Of prospective customers:
after which catalogues and price lists may
be not only useful but essential
Referring 10 the responsibility Of a
customer if l were giving advice. 7 would
suggest that credit be not extended TO
native doing business in his own country.
because. however wealthy and honest he
may be. he is subject 20 the vicissitudes %
unstable political conditions which un-
happily prevail. and for some real or fan
cied political offence is liable 10 be pro-
scribed or imprisoned and his property
cOnfscated.