The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-04-13

the list of general merchants. The Amer
lean Tobacco Company has pushed cigar
cites into this field, just as 1t has broken
down the barriers Of ages in India, and
lured the ineffable Hindue away from ira
ditions of his ancestors and made con-
firmed cigarette smoker Of him. That has
been done from company headquarters at
Singapore. where two agents of equal rank
work conformity. covering the large area
including Siam, OF which Singapore is the
geographical center. These agents take
care that goods come properly packed, and
that they receive prompt delivery.
American shippers need to exercise care
in packing for such long transit. especially
since it involves transhipment. Disposition
is probably no stronger here than 1t Is any
where to exact from distant shippers all
the commercial tolls possible, and goods
arriving specifically shabby may be re-
fused delivery and reach the auction room,
to be bought we'll under the invoice price
by the man who ordered them. 1t is not
certain that the non-American local mer-
chants are averse to that sort of proceed
ing. Manufacturers wishing to place goods
here need not necessarily locate an agent
in this city. Depending upon the part Of
the United States from which goods start.
the first ship deliveries will be at Hong
Kong or Singapore. Agents at those ports.
which are nearly equi-distant from this
port, could give points on packing, II need
ed, could insure prompt transhipment and
delivery here and by occasional visits they
could vastly enlarge the market The tar
iff applies to every import except spirits
Cd d,,try of
per cent. American wines or liquors would
have to pay 10 per cent. European stocks
are inferior. All canned goods come from
Europe and consumption is large. The es-
timated population of the country is TO-
CO.. 600, and cotton is almost the only wear.
Siamese like small fineries and devices that
will contribute TO their amusement. as well
as do Malays.
In working out the endless chances which
trade offers here, there are no mysteries to
be solved and no risks TO be incurred. The
same measure of care which attends home
trade will bring results here as logically.
There can be no sense in asking foreign
houses. accustomed to dealing with their
own countries and preferring TO do so, to
push American trade. For one house which
might do it, fifty would yield dsappoint-
ments. Nor can Americans who venture into
the East be unreservedly recommended.
That quarter appears to be quite as pro-
life in broken reeds as any other. If.
through the recommendations of banks or
ccnsuls, agents may not be found, the cost
Of sending out trusted explorers is not pro-
hibitive, in view of the benefit in prospect.
English trade is hard hit by German invas-
ion, which in turn has been recklessy, arbi-
trary and unpopular. A consignment of
pocket knives from Germany put on sale
here at one teal about 30 cents in Ameri-
can equivalenD per Dozen, and found not
to be cheap al that price. furnishes extreme
illustration of the quality of German trade.
When that illustration is applied to cot
tons, it may be readily understood why the
market is ready for a change. American
goods the only kind that have been
sought without solicitation by the sellers.
There never was better opportunity than
now to make them favorite in the mar
ket at better than home profits, in more
lines than can be enumerated
FREDERICK w. EDDY.