Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-04-21
TRADE WITH TROPICS
OUR EXPORTS To MEXICO AND
CENTRAL AMERICA.
Shipments to the West Indies Increasr
ing-Meeting the Desires and
Tastes of Purchasers.

Mr.. Frederic Emory. chief Of the bureau
of foreign commerce. has made public an
interesting extract from that portion OF
commercial relations of the United States
NOW in press which deals with our trade
with Mexico, Central America and the West
Indies.
Our goods are favorably known in Mexico,
1t is stated. but in certain lines. such as dry
goods, hats, shoes. notions and men and
women's furnishings. our exporters seem to
have made practically no attempt to gain
the Mexican trade. Americans are more
fully realizing that they must accommodate
themselves TO the wants and peculiarities
of the MeXicans and as a result. trade is
growing. Many United States houses have
adopted the plan Of sending out youns,
Mexicans or Cubans al travelling statesmen
Ihese men are acquainted with the wants
OF the Latin-American trade and excellent
results have been achieved.
Business Failures Rare.
Business failures are rare in Mexico
For example, In Mazatlan there has been
only one in the last fifteen years. and that
was due to the failure Of the main house in
Paris. Commercial travellers who go to
Mexico, it is stated, will find conserva-
tive class of merchants who take pride in
paying their debts promptly.
Attention is called TO an interesting ex-
pertinent which American firms are trying IN
the shape of a floating sample store. A vessel
is to leave the United States for the western
coast of Mexico, Central America and South
America, having for sale samples Of mer-
chandise of all kinds suitable for tropical
trade, each line Of goods being i'm charge Of
an expert salesman. American enterprise
has figured cpnspicuouSly in the Develop
ment of the large city of Monterey, it's
water works, sewerage. gas plants rail-
ways and foundries being for the most
part American.
In the Danish West Indies the imports
| from the United States are advancing
| yearly. In spite of the trade depression.
| The uncertainty Of communication is the
main drawback to our trade, Il is stated.
At one period Of last year fifty-two days
! passed without a single direct steamer to
! the United States.
In Central Africa.
In Guatemala our machinery is highly
| appreciated, though fits deicacy Will not
admit of the ignorant handling OF the
Indian labor universal to the country.
However, it is realized that II is far su-
perior to other machinery in the matter Of
fuel economy, and as the fuel supply OF the
country grows less each year this fact is
expected greatly to increase the sale OF
American machinery.
Three-fourths OF the imports Of Honduras
come from the United States, but trade
| that should have been ours has been d.
Verted to Germans on account Of the close
quarantine of the Louisiana board Of health
| during the past year.
In Jamaica the United States has sup
! planted England in many lines Of sale, and
| shoes. cotton goods and coal are almost ex-
| clusvey supplied by us. An increasing
| quantity Of goods is being consumed in the
| Dutch West Indies, more than half of the
| imports now being American. Our machinery
| has a firm foothold in Guadeloupe and
our trade is good in Haiti though it would
be improved, 1t is stated, If United States
merchants were willing to extend the
credits granted by European sellers Three
| years ago it was hardly possible to find a
| shoe or hat of American make I'm Santo
| Domingo. Now these articles are handled
by a number of houses and trade in other
| lines is increasing largely. Besides s. per
cent of the provision trade. We supply all
of the lumber that is imported and a good
portion of other building Materials