The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-09-11
TO EXTEND AMERICAN TRADE.
\ Consular Agent Recon-
Chambers OF Commerce Abroad

t.--lIltnI on the subject OF American
chambers Of commerce In foreign coun-
tries. Ernest I. Harris. the United States
Consular Agent at Eibsnstock, Germany,
says:
The first chamber Of commerce found
ed by one country within the limits Of an
other was in 1870. when Austria estab-
lished such an institution at CONSTANT
nop,e- At first, this chamber Of com
meTce served the interests Of Austria
Hungary politically as well as CONNER
clally. today. however il has no claims 20
a political organiza ton. The home Gov
eminent has always taken an interest in
its welfare, and a yearly subsidy is vot-
ed by the Reichsrath. The success Of the
chamber at C1nStantinopIC soon led 10 the
establishment Of others. In order to hold
their own against the competition Of
England, France, and Germany in the
orient the merchants of Trieste started
movement which led to the establishment
OF an Austrian chamber Of commerce at
Alexandria, This institution gave the
merchants Of Trieste not only point or
vantage in Egypt. but an observation sta
ton as well on the main highway To the
Far East. A Government subsidy was
soon obtained, and other chambers Of
commerce were soon established in Paris
and London.
In 1872 Great Britain established a
Chamber Of Commerce in Paris This is
one Of the best organized chambers in
existence, ana has served as a model for
many others. The most important Eng
Iish firms located in Paris and throughout
France are included in its membership.
II has rendered important service in es-
tabllshing satisfactory commercial treat
les between France and England and is
in touch with the English importer in
Paris and the French customhOuse. The
merchant in London receives from il all
kinds Of information IN regard to the
French market and the French consumer.
1t enjoys a very high standing in both
countries. and the Governments look upon
it with respect and favor. which can be
attributed only to its excellent arrange
ments. The organization has no official
OF political character whatever. having
been founded entirely through private in
itiative.
With the exception OF the Anglican
erican Chamber Of Commerce in Brussels.
Great Britain has, 20 my knowledge, no
other similar organization on the Cont
neut. She has. however, more than thirty
chambers Of commerce OF boards Of trade
in her own colonies in every part Of the
world, all OF which belong to. OF are mem
beers OF, the United Chambers Of Com
merce Of the Empire.
The following is a list OF the locations
Of the most important commercial in
stitutiOus fostered by English and cello
NAL merchants Alden. Bombay. Bulu-
Wayo. Cape Town. Colombo. Constantine
pie East London, FreemantIe, George
town. Grahamstown. Port Alfred. Hobart.
HongkOng. Kingston, Madras Malta,
Montreal Port Elizabeth. Port Louis.
Singapore, Sydney, Toronto. Trinidad,
Vancouver
France has more than thirty cham
bers Of commerce in foreign countries,
an OF which may be said 10 have been
founded by home chambers Th. yearly
SubVeutiOu budget Of the French Gov
eminent today includes $4,000 for the
purpose Of helping these useful OrganlZa-
JIOuS in Barcelona Chartered. Brussels.
Lima, London, COnstantinOple, Mexico,
Alexandria, Valparaiso, Port Louis, Ga
latz. Liverpool, Milan, Montevideo. New
Orleans, Rio de Janeiro, Rosario, Cara
cas-. Havana, Montreal, Shanghai, Port
said. Athens. Lisbon. The Hague, Am
sterdam, Rotterdam, Valencia.
These institutions are placed on an
equality with the home chambers. with
which they maintain regular Intercourse
They give information concerning the
credit standing OF business houses, Sp-
point whea requested, reliable agents,
search out new markets. and collect sam
pies Of every description FOR rnanufactur--
r
or consuls in the above mentioned cities
act as honorary presidents
The Italian Government has always
looked fdVOrably upon the founding Of
chambers of commerce In foreign coun-
tries In 1851 the annual subsidy for this
purpose amounted 10 S3I.S45 OF this sum-
81. Is went TO the support Of the chamber
iU Paris and s. ~ 10 the one IN London.
I am not IN possession Of "a complete list
Of Italian chambers Of commerce in for
,ign countries. but the following are the
locations Of some of the most important
Paris, London. COusJautiuopIe. TIuis,
Alexandria. New York. San Francisco. .
Eutuos Ayres. MOntevideo. and Rosario.
The Italian chambers do not possess /
the same character as those Of France (
FOR the reason that they are more directly
under the supervision of the Minister Of
'0mmcrCe and Industry. who acts as a
medium between them ard the Govern
msut IN questions respecting subsidies
According. 10 German press reports.
spain. Greece. and Turkey are consider
HE plans for establishing similar organ .
.zatlouS in the most important CONNER
-ial cities abroad. Belgium has Il cham
monthly bulletins pertaining To all mat
1rr- OF commerce and Industry.
Germany has q Chamber or Commerce 3
lu brussels ana, according 10 recent re- 2
ports. one viii shortly be established al
Bucharest. In EOUmauid. The German ,
merchants Of that locality viii form the /
nucleus. receiving assistance from inter
.st-d firms al home This chamber /
viii issue reports Ou the com
morciaI and Industrial outlook. not only T.
IN Euumduld. but m the entire LeEdnt /
IL win serve as a link to connect German /
business men in that part of the world {
with manufacturers and merchants at +.
home Last fan the subject Of establish
ing German chambers Of commerce in T
foreign countries was discussed in the f.
RCichstag. but without result.
'I be German Chamber of Commerce in I
Brussels has accomplished much for the +
CONNIE TCial interests Of the Empire. In .
1898. one year after it's foundation. this .
chamber made its influence felt during
Eiau tariff law Of that year In addition +.
to the general duties Of such an org;tniza- .
ton. il takes an active interest IN the .
complaints Of German merchants located .
in Belgium. and advocates their interests .
before the proper authorities
THE United States has thus far three /.
chambers of commerce abroad-uamcIy.
g.. Paris. Brussels, and Manila The ]
chamber in Paris was founded in 1896 by I
American merchants resident in that Citv /
In 1860 il had 1u paid-Hp memberships,
Of which 1i5 were American and 56 for
eign- Its finances are well organized and /.
a fund has been established which in 3
time. Will be devoted 10 the construction 4
% permanent home for the institution
The chamber mas for its object to exam
inc questions concerning the commercial /
and industrial relations between the
United States and France. 10 prorrcf me
mercantile interests SubSi~tinr between D
individuals and firms IN The two aforesaid .
countries. and 10 take an mea Sur,s which 3
may facilitate and protect the traDsac-
tons Of business between them The an
LUal membership dues are $3.50 I'm sre
American trade papers, while the library
consists OF over tVJ well chosen y0If-r,al
relating To- commerce and industry,
The Anglo American Chamber in BrUs-