The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-10-26
CENTRAL AMERICAN VENTURES
MORE PRONE TO INCUR LOSSES THAN
To MAKE PROFITS.
Land Requirements I'm Honduras-Min-
ing Output in Mexico-French SILK
i'm American Trade.
psciaI to the indianapolis Journal.

Chamberlain tariff campaign very seriously
ana the belief among these people Is APP
parently very general that England will
very soon depart from her free-trade policy.
This Is not merely q matter of opinion, for
the English importers have already begun
10 increase their stocks and lay in large
supplies Of goods on which Mr.. Chamber
lain proposes there shall be 10 per cent.
import duty in the future, This Interesting
news f. not contained in any of the reports
from the American representatives abroad,
but Is the burden OF much private corre-
spondence between England and the United
States just at this time.
1t has always been the custom in the
United States prior TO the enactment of a
new tariff for industries likely to be af-
fected thereby to discount the future and 10
load or unload their stock in trade as might
seem TO be to the best advantage under the
operations Of any proposed law. The Eng
ishmen have evidently learned the game
and are taking time by the forelock. A 10
per cent. import duty does not sound large,
but upon the heavier cheaper class of goods
which are imported into England i'm enor-
nous quantities. this 10 per cent. would rep
resent the difference between profit and
loss. II would also represent a competitive
margin which would increase the English
sales and consequently decrease imports of
foreign goods.
1t Is believed, however that this move
ment Is only in its inception. In the first
place it is not absolutely determined that
England will adopt a general import duty.
Some of the English manufacturers go SO
Tar as TO say. however. in their letters to
american representatives. agents, custom
ers or supply men that they think the
h.
within nine months, meaning, of course, at
the general election which is expected to
take place in England next fall. They have
already begun TO investigate the market
and place their orders with this in view,
most practical and convincing bit of eNi-
dence as to the change which has taken
place In public opinion in England within
very short time.
STUDYING AMERICA.
Representatives OF Mr. Chamberlain are
now in the United States securing data as
to the cost of production, wages and home
markets under protection policy. this da Ia
TO be used in the English campaign now be-
ing carried on and which will increase
in intensity the time for an election ap-
proaches- The protectionists of the United
States have. in the past gone to England
Tor their Illustrations Of the evil effects of
free trade upon the masses OF the people,
The tables are now turned and the protec-
fionists OF England are coming TO the
Dement'S or the policy which they are advo-
eating
Should it become generally admitted that
England Will adopt general import duty
law IL must logically follow that the pur-
chases abroad made by English merchants
Will be enormous in anticipation of a rise
in prices. and this cannot help but have a
most marked and beneficial effect on the
American export trade in every line of
goods and materials. What will come after
that Is more a matter OF conjecture. for
there would undoubtedly be a reaction
which will cause dull times in United States
export lines OF endeavor and a normal con-
dition viii not be reached until commerce
has thoroughly readjusted ITSELF
This question OF an English import duty
strikes nome TO every American producer
and there is no international matter pos
sessing such keen interest or Suggesting
such an important outcome as the political
struggle now In progress in Great Britain
between the conservative upholders of Eng
lands ancient policy and those who are
Vsnon in shs Ssa ss and
prsmacy.
engaged in more or less disastrous attempts
TO develop the agricultural resources of
Central America The land is fertile the
products varied and upon paper the cost of
the original plant promises a handsome
return upon the investment Consul Moe
at Tesucigalpa, Honduras. has sent to the
State Department instructions for Amer
leans who desire to acquire land i'm that
country. After the land is selected II is
SOLO Al pubic auctlon with an upset price,
which ranges from 10 cents an acre for pas
ture land 10 20 cents an acre for agricul-
tural land ,and 10 cents an acre for md
along navigable rivers or lakes Foreign
land. or rather the use OF it, for nothing If
they win establish plantations for growing
coffee. rubber, vanilla tropical fruits
In brief, the Honduras government gives
freely OF what it has to encourage-immigra-
LOSSES EXCEED PROFITS.
Tho Avuoriaou raoo,,f H..
himself very enthusiastically as to the
prospects for money making, but he saws
he has received a great many requests for
information. In years gone by a number
Of American syndicates with large capitsl
have attempted to develop Honduras lands
and mines, but so far without notable sue
cess and usually with heavy loss. The
United States sells to Honduras 10 per cent.
Of all that country buys and receives. the
bulk or the exports. or about 90 per cent.
Of the total England is next and Germany
n accredited with all the Honduras exports
which 60 TO Europe. Fruits, coffee and
rubber are the principal articles produced
for the foreign trade
Consul General Winslow, from Guatemala.
does not send very encouraging account
OF conditions In that country. He reports
that the busiess interests OF the republic
are much depressed, one OF the principal
causes being that one dollar in gold is
worth nearly seventeen dollars In Guatema-
imported goods that 1t is almost impossible
for those employed on the native money
basis TO buy anything. The low price OF
coffee. which In many Of these countries is
used as revenue producer. has every eff
feet OF making present conditions far from
satisfactory.
The foreign trade OF Argentina is increas-
Ing rapidly. In the first six months OF ISes
the total foreign trade was Sl5s GOO OOo and
the first six months OF 1903 IL was SIS9 esO 0rl0
The increase In exports was about S23 Onl az
and the increase in imports about $1,000 or
IA the six months period as COMPARED one
with the other. England. France and Ger
many got by far the largest share OF the in
crease in imports. the United States in
crease being about on par with that al
Brazil and Italy. The exports OF Argentina
most every country with which she does
business except the United States. Italv ond
the United Kingdom. The decrease i'm ex.
ports 10 the United States reaches nearIy
Z million dollars. or more than the fncreas,
in the imports from the United States One
OF the great drawbacks TO an Increase a,
trade between the United States and tht
countries TO the south il lack OF dIrecl
steamer transportation Europe is wei
supplied with lines running directive n
South American ports and trade naturally
follows this line or least resistance
MEXICAN NINE PRODUCTS.
The Mexican treasury has just issued .
+ statement showing the production OF GOLD
and silver In Mexico during the past twenty