The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1903-03-27
MEXICO AS A CusToMER.

of their trade in this country. The
value of the imports (from the United
States) in 1901 amounted to s6,s41, e29 as
against Sc, 767, o42 in 1900. or an increase
from 511k per cent to 55s4 per cent. of
the total import trade. The United
Kingdom and her colonies together sup
piled Mexico with merchandise to the
value of e1,sO9.167 during 1901, as
against e2,217,111 in 1900, representing
trade. France supplied merchandise to
the value of 1855, 500 in 1900, while in
1901 the value was but Ell, 231, 1852. it's
proportion in 1900 being 1919 per cent,
but now is scarcely ga per cent. Ger
many's share of the trade OF Mexico in
1901 was a trihe over 10 1-3 per cent,
as against liz per cent. in 1900. The
trade with Spain continues about the
same as in past years. viz, Az per cent.
| in 1900 and AZ per cent. in 1901 The
report presents a'table showing the
percentage of the principal countries in
the imports of Mexico from 1896 to 1901.
and shows that the percentage supplied
| by imports from the United States has
Increased from 40 per cent in 1897 to
55z per cent in 1901; while that of the
United Kingdom has fallen from 10 per
cent. to Is 1-S per cent; France, from
10 per cent. to go per cent; and Ger
many, has increased its share from 10
per. cent. to 1Oss per cent. while Spain
has decreased from per cent. to 4 S-16
per cent.
Cotton manufacture in Mexico, he
says, is not as active as formerly. The
number of cotton factories in the Re
public increased in late years to such
an extent and the product of those
with the opening up of new establish
ments fitted with modern machinery
the market has become overstocked and
several of the older factories have had
to stop work and in many cases close
entirely, state of things which viii
continue until the existing stocks of
cotton goods are very much reduced.
Nevertheless cotton goods form one of
the principal items in the imports of
Mexico.
The use of electricity not only for
lighting but also for Industrial purposes
is he says, becoming more general, and
several companies have been formed for
the purpose of making use OF the larger
waterfalls throughout the country forl
the generation of electricity, the ma
chinery Being imported chiefly from the
United states. The Electric Light
Company of the City of Mexico has
been unable to supply the demand for
electricity for lighting purposes, and
the extension of the electric tramway
lines about the City of Mexico has
greatly increased the use of electricity.
The popularity of American goods is
especially commented upon by the
writer, who says that boots and shoes
Of American manufacture are now
found all over the Republic. while in
the City Of Mexico four or five estah-
lishments have been opened for the
express purpose Of selling boots and
shoes of American make only.
Commenting upon the growth of the
import trade of Mexico, and especially
the increasing proportion obtained by
the United States, the writer of the re-
port, Mr.. Biorklund, says: However
much the trade of Mexico increases, The
share e the United Kingdom is always
decreasing, partly for the reason that
British manufacturers and merchants
will not adopt more modern
methods, and consequently what is loss
to the United Kingdom is gain to some
other country
Though of course the United States,
On account of their proximity, are
bound to possess the largest share, and
the facilities for transportation being \
greater thence than from Europe, there !,
Ices not seem to he any special reason
Why the trade from European countries,
the United Kingdom, should
lot be more than it is a fact that can
DC verified by the figures given in an
'ther part of this report. American mer-
'hants and manufacturers are ready to a
alter for the trade of Mexico. and their t
gents are continually travelling for q
he purpose of extending the sale of
lrticles already known, or are endeav
'ring by means Of samples to open .
ields for new merchandise. Though '
lrticles of German manufacture are
to be of inferior quality.
heir style and finish are such that
} ey can favorably compare with those
4 greater finish, which cost more than
vice as much. Another reason why
German made goods find a better mar
.et here is from the fact that the max
RS are always ready to accept any
ussestions made to them, either by
heir Owl agents or by clients, who are