Arizona republican., 1902-01-22
OUR LATE GAINS
 IN MEXICAN TRADE
What the United States Has Accomplished iii
 Year.
Within Fifty Years the Trade of the Southern Republic Has Passed AL most Entirely Into American Hands.

Washington Jan. 21.-The gains which the United States Is making in supplying Mexico with the articles which it imports from foreign countries are sharply called to the attention of English manufacturers and exporters by the British consul at the City or NeXico. who, in his report on the trade of Mexico for the year 1900, says:
 Fifty years ago, and even less. the greater part of the trade Of Mexico
 as carried on by British houses. the heads 0f many of them having retired on q fair little fortune. As late as iS.2-73 the British trade with Mexico was In 2 fairly fiourishing condition, but from the date of the opening of Ihe Mexican Central and Mexican Ma tional railways. the American manu- facturers have yearly increased their trade with this country.
 Today the British trade is confined % q few agencies Uhere being no im- portant commercial establisnmenO wh1 by means Of samples and catalogues under tal-e the execution of orders. some of these agents are persons who. be ing unacquainted with the country or with the customs. find it very difficult to do business with the people. There are, however, q few who are active and by accommodating themselves to their surroundings can get good orders for the firms they represent The exam pie of those few might serve as an in centive to others.
 Some ot the large houses in Manches- fer, Birmingham, and other centers often employ commercial travellers who make periodical s-isits to this country. and who can always count on their usual customers for orders. Other. houses send out representatives. ire q1eutly foreigners, who in many cases are unacquainted with the country, language. the people. and their GUS ionls. and after a short stay, during mich they are unable 10 get any or ders. they return home disgusted Mex leo is market very different iron, ordinary towns. as on account of it's cosmopolitan nature and the few for eigners resident here--lt-laes not af- Crd the facilities and comforts ot European towns of the same size, and then also. on account Of certain con- diuons peculiar to its inhabitants. de- rnand for articles of lonG nGstandingw whose ctlity is well known Is greater than fcr>modern inventions that take q long time to conquer the ideas of the peo- ple.
 If the British manufacturer or trader wishes to open or increase his trade with this country it is imperative for a'm to adopt other methods. and first of all consult the wishes or his GUS oine~s, by not forcing upon them arti- cles that in his opinion might appear suitable. but are of no use in this mar let. As can be seen from the foreGo- ing remarks some of the same open inSs stu exist, but in a smaller de- gree, as American merchants are push lrg thelr trade very considerably either by establishing branch offices in that city, or else by means of companies which have sufficient capital at their disposal and by being on the spot cal purchase properties and form compan- ies to work them. i
 Another reason why the American capitalist is readier to invest ir Mex ica is that enterprising firms of St. Louis, Mo, and Dallas. Tex issue monthly pamphlets in English and English containing short notices about the principal towns of Mexico. and giving information about new en- :erprises and the establishment of new factories. as well as other information about the country.
 There are certain points. however that have been very much overlooked by the greater part of the British traders and manufacturers in their dealings with Mexico, their lack of Knowledge of the Mexican tariff be- ing very noticeable.
 Still another point that deserves the attention of the British trader in gen cral, is the failure to give estimates or descriptions when asked for. In such cases an order may depend upon 2 full and intelligible description being given to the wCuld-be customer in the weights and measures of the metrical system that is BOW so universally ac- cepted.