The evening times., 1901-05-17
AMERICANNTRADE IN SYRIA.
Various Linef Af Commerce Being
Slowly Developed.


G Bic RavndaI. the American Consul at
Beirut, Syria in aFeport to the State De
partment regarding United States trade
IN Syria, says Che financial crisis through
which Beirut has seen passing has result
ed IN considerable decrease in the bust
ness of commission houses, which. ne
adds conduct nearly all the trade Of that
country with foreign lands AIr- RavndaL
however. adds that the gathering of the
silk and grain harvests viii probably af-
ford relief. The consul, explaining the
situation, says:
Although there has been a luU in act
ual business transactions, nothing has
been able to check the voIuminous CORE
spondence which for the last year or two
has been carried On between Syrian mer-
camille houses and American exporters.
The Trade Index Peck's Buyers In
dex,' and American Exporter have
proved a great help to this consulate in
promoting trade, and it is suggested that
more copies of these valuable publica-
tions might be advantageously distribut-
cd in Beirut and other Syrian towns Da-
mascus, Tripoli, Heifa, Sidon, and Lata-
ka) where attempts are being made TO
open a way for American products and
manufactures.
"A recent resurvey Of the local field has
proved very gratifying. not SO much on
account of the increased volume of bust
ness done with the United States as on
account Of the general interest manifest
ed by commission firms and merchants
here in regard to American products. It
sh3aId be borne IN mind that, except sew
ine machines, practically no American
90 -ds reached this market until within
6. la +vE-, TF7-ea y-pa7-s tF7a fp
is therefore yet In its infancy"
Mr.. RavndaI gives the names of a num-
Der of American concerns doing business
in Syria. especially in the lines of cotton
goods and shoes He says one firm in
Beirut has imported from the United
States over 200 monographs, and that
+ other firms are buying windmills, we'll
drilling machines, agricultural implements.
and garden tools from America Contin-
uing MS report, Mr.. RavndaI says:
Another encouraging sign is the pros
pective appearance on the scene of Amer
. lean travelling statesmen. something TN
known in the commercial annals Of Syria.
4 representative of the American Steel
. and Wire Company has already been here,
and [ am credfbly Informed that two otheT
I commercial travellers from the OIllLeI
States are bound for this place. As mis-
sionaries for trade expansion. catalogues
and price lists are good, samples are bet
I
+ German success in distant markets is
largely due TO the German travelling sales
man Commercial travellers representing
various branches Of American industry
should visit this city once OF twice q year,
carrying with theIn full lines Of samples.
They viii be able to get along very well
IN Beirut. even If they know 10 other Ian
guage than English
Under d later date the Consul adds:
1t affords me pleasure to say that one
Of the two commercial travellers referred
r. e9F rob hsae
/ here and is much pleased with his visit,
although the total amount of the orders
/ secured by him in Beirut and Damascus
did not exceed $3.50 I learn that the or
! ders taken were chiefly for leather, hard
ware. mechanics tools, and lamps.
After about nine months of negotiation,
/ in which this consulate has taken an ac-
tive part, the municipality of Beirut pIac-
ed on April l an order with a Buffalo
manufacturer for a $500 steam street
roller I have no doubt the machine will
give ample satisfaction and will prove, q
powerful wedgefin opening up this market
for American products. As far as known.
II will be the first machine OF its kind IN
Turkey in Asia"