New-York tribune., 1903-03-16
MEXTCO,S MARKET.
United States Products 4re Drifting
Out Those of Other Countries.


Washington. March 10 CspeclaD.-The steady
gain OF the United States In supplying the for
eiEn merchandise required by Mexico il the sub
3ect Of special comment by an ofaciai Of the
British Legation at the City OF Mexico in 3 re-
port made TO the British Foreign Office on Mex
lean trade in 1901. "The United States Of
America" he says. 'fs yearly increasing the
proportion Of its trade in this country. The
value of the imports tfrom the United states) in
1901 amounted to f6.941 800, as against 1851
O42 in 1900. or an increase from 5118 to o5a per
cent of the total import trade. The United
Kingdom and her colonies together supplied
Mexico with merchandise to the value OF f1,90o.-
1871 during 1901. as against E2217,111 in 1900.
representing about 15 1-3 per cent OF the import
trade. France supplied merchandise to the value
Of e. .SS3.S69 In 1900 while in 1901 the value was
but f1, 231. 762. its proportion in 1900 being 10A
per cent but now is scarcely 9% per cent. Ger
msny's share oflthe trade Of Mexico in 1901 was
triAe over 10 1-3 per cent, against liz per
cent in 1900. The trade with Spain continues
about the same in past years. viz, IA per
cent in 1900 and ~ per cent in 1901" The re-
port presents table showing the percentage Of
the principal countries In the imports Of Mex
ico from 1895 to 1901. and shows that the per-
centage supplied by imports from the United
States has increased from 80 per cent in 1897 to
oO& per cent IN 1SO1s WnIe tndI OF ttS OHil0O
Kingdom has fallen from 10 to Is 1-3 per cent,
France from 13 to OK per cent, and Germany
has increased Its share from 10 to 10Ss per cent,
while Spain has decreased from 5 to 4 3-16 per
cent.
Cotton manufacture in Mexico, he says Is not
active as formerly. The number OF cotton
factories in the republic increased in late years
to such an extent, and the product OF those al
ready IN existence so increased that with the
opening UP OF new establishments fitted with
modern machinery the market has become over
stocked, and several Of the older factories have
had TO stop work and in many cases close en-
tirely. q 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, becom-
ing more general and several companies have
been formed for the purpose OF making use or
the larger waterfalls throughout the country
for the generation Of electricity, the machinery
being imported chiefly from the United STATES
The electric light company OF the CITY OF Mex
leo has been unable to supply the demand 1or
electricity for lighting purposes. and the e1ten-
sion Of the electric tramway lines about the
City of Mexico has greatly increased the use OF
electricity.
The popularity Of American goods is espe-
cially commented upon by the writer VINO says
that boots and shoes OF American manufacture
are now found all over the republic, while In the
city of Mexico four or Ave establishments have
been opened for the cypress puTpose , OF seiii''s
Commenting upon the growth OF the import
trade of Mexico. and especially the increasing
proportion obtained by the United states. the
writer of the report, Mr. Bjorklund says: How
ever much the trade OF Mexico increases, the
share of the United Kingdom is always De
creasing, partly for the reason that British
manufacturers and merchants generally 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 &C
count Of Its proximity, is bound to possess the
largest share. and the facilities for transporta-
tion being greater thence tn N from Europe
there does not seem to be any special reason
why the trade from the European countries.
especially the United Kingdom, should not De
more than 1t is fact that can be verified by
the figures given in another part OF this report.
American merchants and manufacturers are
ready to cater for the trade OF Mexico. and their
agents are continually travelling for the purpose
of extending the sale OF articles already known,
or are endeavoring by means OF samples 10 open
fields for new merchandise Though articles OF
German manufacture are acknowledged TO pe OF
inferior quality. their style and hnish are sucn
that they can favorably compare with those OF
greater finish which cost more than twice as
much A6other reason why German made gooos
find a better market here is the fact that
the makers are always ready to accept any sug-
Restions made to them, either by thelr own
agents or by clients, who are often more IN
touch with the requirements Of the country