The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-04-21
TRADE EXPANSION
REPORTED By COBSULS
Extracts From Report of Blu
Teau of Foreign Commerce.
A DEMAND FOR GOODS
Interesting Collection of Data From
Mexican, Central American, and West
Indian Ports - Some Suggestions for
Improvements at Small Cost.

Consul Kaiser. OF NazatIan- saws that
the greatest handicap our exporters have
TO overcome in the development of Ameri-
can trade in that part of Mexico is that
nearly all the large business houses are
branches o. German, French. or Spanish
firms, and have been established for forty
years OF more. The merchandise required
is ordered from the home establishments.
and arrives, in sailing vessels. twice 4
year. Freight charges on these vessels
are very low The best way to introduce
cur goods, says the consul, would be 10
make eonsignments to reliable firms that
nave connections in the United States
Our goods are favOTabIy known in Mexico.
but in certain Ines-such as dry goods,
hats, shoes, notions mems and women's
fuTnishinEs-our exporters seem to have
made practically no attempt to gain the
trade.
He reports an experiment in the nature
Of floating sample store A vessel is
TO leave the United States for the western
coast OF Mexico Central and South
America, having for sale samples of mer-
chandise of all kinds suitable for tropical
trade, each line of goods being in charge
OF an expert salesman Such an effort
viii result in much benefit to our trade
business failures says Mr. Kaiser, are
rare in Mexico, there having been only
one in Mazatlsn IN The last fifteen years
and that being due TO the failure Of the
main house in Paris. Commercial trav-
elers who come to Mexico will find a con-
servative class of merchants, who take
rid =,
Consul DaruaH OF NoEaies, notes that
our trade is improving in Mexico. due
largely TO the growing perception on the
part Ct american exporters that they
must accommodate themselves to the
wants AID peculiarities Of their custom
eTs- Formerly, he says, only an oc-
caSlCnai trade circular printed in Span
lsh vas sent to that consulate; now fully
one-haf are IN that language Many
United States houses have also adopted
The plan Of sending out young Mexicans
or Cubans as travelling statesmen. and as
they are unusually well acquainted with
the wants Of the Latin American trade.
they have achieved excellent results, not
only n selling goods, but also in advis-
ing their employers as to modes of pack
ing and desirable qualities and patterns
Of merchandise.
Trade With Monterey.
consul General Hanna, Of Monterey,
notes that the development of that city
and vicinity are due to american enter
prise, which has founded an iron foundry
and machine company, wire rail works,
Brick works, -four mill, gas plant, water
works, sewerage, and has assisted IN rail-
way extensions and street paving
Consul General McNally, Of Guatemala
says that OUT machinery is highly appTe-
eiated IN Guatemala. its quality being re-
Ea7ded as Superior; IL has not yet. how
ever, gained the fOothold that Il deserves
labor IL its delicate structure. Indian
si1i -C.slzz1z=1aaIa--as.fl
thought to be not strong enough to with
stand ignorant handling English ma
chiaery is about one-thi-d heavier. On
the other hand. it is recognized that our
apparatus is economical in fuel and as
the fuel supply Of the country grows
scaTeeT every year, this element VIII |
eventually influence the planter in favor |
Of our apparatus Our groceries. also. /
are IN demand, and there is a good mar
ket for our shoes, though the supply as /
yet is limited.
Consul Johnston, of Utilla, says that 70 4
per cent Of the total imports Of Hon /
duras come from the United States but 1
trade that should have been ours has !
been to some extent diverted to the Ger
mans. on account OF the close quarantine /
Of the Louisiana board Of health during
the past year There is good oDenjng
for candy, which is Eow brought from
England. as il is not put I'D properIv
in the United States.