The Indianapolis journal., 1903-12-07
characteristics of the People, Many Of
Whom Are from the British West
Indies or Their Descendants.
MEXICAN TRADE Is DESIRABLE
BUT Is CONDUCTED ALONG LINES
DIFFERENT FROM AMERICAN.
POliteness a Prerequisite-Americ
Trade with Guatemala Shows
Gratifying Increase.

lation of about 5000 persons 1t is the town
on the Atlantic side of the Isthmus of
Panama. Panama, the city on the western
coast, is by far the most important and
best known. The town of Colon was merely
small native settlement and point of de-
barkation for the coasting trade for many
years until the Panama canal started
and the railroad built across the isthmus.
of transit. The population is composed of
various elements-SpaEish, Indian, negro
and limited number of persons from the
European countries and the United States,
especially those engaged in commerce and
transportation and the operation of the
Panama Railway. A considerable number
of the population is composed of persons
brought to the isthmus as laborers for the
construction of the canal and of their de-
scendants. Since the abolition of slavery
in Jamaica considerable number of blacks
and mulattoes have settled on the isthmus
as small dealers and farmers, and in some
villages on the Atlantic side they are said
to be in the majority; as a result the Eng
lish language is much in use, especially on
the Atlantic side. Some of the native pop
ulation have retained their customs, speech
and physical type. especially those in the
western part of the province. and claim to
be descendants of the natives found in that
section by the SpaniardS.
Colon shares with Panama the interest
in every movement-industrial and other
wiSe-affecting the ISthmus of Panama. Its
position on the Gulf of Mexico, in the first
place, and its location as one of the ter
mini of the isthmian canal, give it partic-
ular Importance at this time. The year
1923 was one of uncertainty and doubt If
moo vol 10 Eea ftnv- nf
the city's development, even independent of
the canal Should the canal be cut Colon
will enter upon career of prosperity hith-
erto undreamed OF by any OF the gulf
cities, certainly by none on or near the
isthmuS.
Consul Baehr, in discussing the possibil-
tiles of increased trade between the United
States and Cuba following the reciprocity
treaty, says that he gathers from intelli-
gent business men of Cienfuegos that
while European houses frequently give
longer credits than their American compet-
itors they require a much longer time to
fill an order and that their prices, based
on extended credits. are not on the whole
as advantageous to the Cuban merchant as
the cash prices and short-credit system of
the Americans.
Speaking with reference to the alleged
deficiencies in American methods of pack
ing goods for shipment to the West Indies.
these tell me that. although there is yet
room for Improvement along this line,
American goods are almost invariably
packed with greater care and received in
better condition than those from Germany
and other European countries.
81 think l am safe In saying that nine
tenths of the merchants and planters of
Cuba regard the United States as their
logical trading ground. desiring to find
there a remunerative market for their lead
ing staples and equally desirous OF buying
there the manufactured articles and other
necessities needed in the development Of
their country. The Cuban people are hop
ing and trusting that reciprocal trade rela-
tions between the two countries Will soon
become a reality, thereby giving a stimulus
to the present and prospective industries
of Cuba. which thus far since the achieve
ment of their political independence has
been distinctly lacking. / do not wish to
was in a prosperous condition during the
later years of Spanish rule, but certain
privileges accorded Cuban products while
Cuba Cuba wben the poiitical separaton took
place. and the people now turn to the
United States their natural coadjutor
their country upon firmer and more pros
porous basis than they have ever been in
the past
Consul Kaiser writes to the State Depart
ment from Mazatlan, Mexico. some opin-
ions OF his own as to the conditions existing
I'm Mexico and the manner in which Ameri-
| can trade may be increased. He says:
1.-The rainy season begins the first part of
July and continues until the middle or lat
ter part of October, and anybody desiring
to visit Mexico for either pleasure or bus-
ness should be warned against coming here
during that time. Good roads and bridges
being almost unknown on the west coast
! of Mexico. it is almost impossible to travel
in the interior without exposing oneself to
great danger and even risk of life. This
also holds good as a warning not to send
sailing vessels here during this time. as the
weather Is very uncertain and all the
storms with which this coast is afflicted
! during the year reach here within the
! aforementioned period. and during the
! past two months there have been five sail
| ing vessels lost in Mazatlan and it's neigh
boring ports.
''The imports of Mexico will this year
reach s60.0J0ot0 gold So far as the west
| portion of its trade is with Germany, Spain
| and France In the order named. Business
here only be secured on an esta blished
/ acquaintance. The Mexican merchant as
| a rule will not be rushed into buying goods
/ but when he becomes personally acquainted
/ with the salesman and feels at home with
/ "A
1t is not difficult TO get acquainted with
the Mexican people. They are easy of ap-
proacf and also easy to get good terms
with. but their temperament prevents them
! from making contracts in a hurry A firm
| that has gained the confidence of a Mexi-
can merchant and has secured share OF
| his business will never think of rushine
the decision while the deal is being con-
| sidered
eff the deal on hand is very large anc
! important one. IL takes sometimes months
before Ii is concluded, and IL would be use
less for any one TO try to rush things. II
/ is very essential for the agent to speak
Spanish fiuently TO be able to con.
verse with the Mexicans in their native
tongue, as very few Mexicans speak Eng.
| lsh and while many OF the larger houses
| employ English correspondents in offices
yet many of these same correspondents are
| not able to converse in English or speal
1t very indifferently.
"One of the great advantages in sellins
goods to Mexico is that failures are almos
| unknown here as the merchants of Mexico
| are very conservative and extend theil
| business only as far as their capital will
! thousands of business men annually in tn,
! here. Mazatlan has not been afflicted will
| a fire for over thirty years
''The Mexicans ere polite TO a high de
gree and the Mexican merchant carrie:
| this characteristic trait into his bushes:
| transactions. i have recently heard IL sais
| that american manufacturers are too cur
I'm their letters; that they abbreviate thei
| expressions and say what they have to sa,
| In line or two. whereas they might jus