The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-01-09
Trade with Southern Countries.

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r. q. Butterfield, who has lived In
Mexico for twenty-seven years, calls at
teution to the opportunities which the
western part of that country offers for
Seattle merchants and shipping men.
He says that Mexico il in need OF many
commodities which the Puget sound
country produces. and believes, II the
matter OF transportation were attended
to, a large, permanent and profitable
business could be built up.
There is no doubt that nearly all OF
the Spanish republics would use Amer
lean goods II they could get them in
good condition and the goods were
handled to the best advantage possible.
But in order to get the trade a consid-
cradle amount of capital Is required and
business must be watched carefully.
with knowledge Of the fact that
there are to be met very energetic COM
petitors. who have made q study of the
needs Of the people OF Mexico. Central
and South America, and have built up a
trade especially to meet those. needs
For years the reports of American
consuls in Spanish-American countries
have urged upon American shippers the
necessity of packing their goods as the
foreigner wants them and too often the
advice has gone unheeded. The diff
ficulty Is that the people ernbarking
In these enterprises do not appear
to have taken hold with the idea
up. There has been too much Of the
venture spirit. an attempt to take goods
out on speculation, reap big profits and
let the future take care of itself. The
result has been handsome returns on
some shipments and considerable loss
on more.
portation business between Puget sound
and Mexico and Central America, but
there are many obstacles to overcome
and large capital is required to put It
upon a profitable basis. Companies
operating from San Francisco and we'll
intrenched will be met as rivals, and
to get even fair play against their OPP
position is not the lightest task to be
performed, They have been In the busi-
ness for years. know the ports. control
the wharves and lighters, are in touch
with the customs officials, understand
the Spanish-American character. are
adopts in the use of influence" and to
obtain equal rights and privileges with
them would call for hard, persistent
work and strong financial backing.
With trip so long as that from Put
get sound to Mexican or Central Ameri-
can ports. quick dispatch would be nee
essary and experience in the past has
shown that this is not always easy to
obtain. Coffee, ores. hard woods and
fruit are about all that can now be Sc
cured In the way Of return cargoes, and
to handle these favorable arrangements
must be made with the transcontinental
railroads.
There are conditions under which
such a trade could be built up, but 1t
could be done only with great effort and
effective cooperation ON the part OF
those interested. There is no doubt that
the southern countries want our lum-
Der, -four coal, beer, machinery and
vegetables. and that they will send back
coffee, ores and some other products.
The question is whether or not 1t can
be done at a profit. 1t is idle to sup
pose we can dump our goods on shore
and sell them at once. They must be
put up properly and resident agents.
who know the people, must be on the
ground to look after them. Those who
60 into the business must 60 into It 10