The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1902-04-21
MEX|CANS BUYING
AMERICAN GOODS
Must Accommodate Ourselves
to Their Peculiar Wants
BUSINESS FAILURES RARE
In All Other South American Ports
Imports from United States Are
Advancing Rapidly Des-
plte Trade Depression.
BUSINESS FAILURES RARE

Washington, April 20.-Frederic Emory
chief of the bureau of foreign comm cree
made public today an interesting extract
from that portion of commercial rela-
lions 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 Mex
leo, 1t is stated but in certain lines, such
as drygoods, hats, shoes, notions and
mems and womens furnishings our ex-
porters 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 Mex
leans, and as result. trade is growing.
Many United States houses have adopted
the plan of sending out young Mexicans
or Cubans as travelling statesmen These
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
that was due to the failure of the main
house in Paris. Commercial travellers who
come to Mexico. 1t is stated, will find a
conservative class of merchants who take
pride IN paying their debts promptly. At
tention is called to an interesting expert
ment which American firms are trying in
the shape of a floating sample store. A
60.
the western coast of Mexico, Central
America and South America, having for
sale samples of merchandise of all kinds
suitable for tropical trade, each line of
goods being in charge of an expert sales
man. American enterprise has figured con-
splcuously in the development of the largo
city of Monterey, it's water works, sewer
age, gas plants, railways 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 trade depression. The
uncertainty of communication is the main
drawback to our trade, 1t is stated. At
one. period of last year fifty-two days
passed without single direct steamer to
the United States.
Machinery In Guatemala.
In Guatemala our machinery Is highly
appreciated though it's delicacy will not
admit of the ignorant handling of the
Indian labor universal to the country.
However, 1t is realized that it Is far su-
perior to other machinery In the matter
of fuel and economy and as the fuel
supply of the country grows less each
year, this fact Is greatly to increase the
sale of American machinery.
Three-fourths of the imports of Hon
duras come from the United States, but
trade that should have been ours has
been diverted to Germans on account of
the close quarantine of the Louisiana
board of health during the past year.
Three years ago 1t was hardly possible
to find a shoe or hat Of American make
in Santo Domingo. Now these articles
are handled by number of houses and
trade In other lines is increasing largely.
Besides eighty-1ve per cent of the pro-
vision trade we supply all of the lumber
that is imported and a good portion of
other building materials.