The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-02-01
AMERICAN TRADE WITH
MEXICO LOSES GROUND
Imports from This Country Suffer
by Comparison with Those from
European Countries.
DUE TO THE EXPORTER
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.

Special 10 the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 31.-American trade
with Mexico suffers by comparison with
European commerce with that country.
During the past year there has been de-
eided decrease in the bulk of imports re-
ceived at the Mexican ports from this coun-
try. The falling off may be attributed to
several causes: A large amount of steel
rails were imported from Europe for rail-
road construction because American firms
were not able to fill the orders. A large
amount of German coke was imported,
which trade the United States could have
secured. A large amount OF minor sup
plies and miscellaneous articles were i'm
ported from Europe principally through
lack of attention to details on the part of
American exporters. STILL it is very clear
that American exporters are losing Next
can trade through carelessness and bad
business. 1t does not pay the American
business man TO attempt to thrust his bust
ness methods upon foreign people. He may
think his business methods better than
those of other people. and he may be right
but he must not insist upon 1t. when trying
TO sell goods. The increase in the trade
between Germany and Mexico is largely
due to the fact that the German manufac-
MeNicans want, instead of endeavoring TO
perluade them TO buy things that they do
willing to do business with the Mexicans
acc6 riding to the methods of the latter
Then the long credits allowed by the Ger
man houses are an inducement to the Mex
lean business men, for. being the victims
of rapid changes in the rates of exchange,
they look upon a long term Of credit as an
opportunity TO settle up when the rate of
exchange Is low.
The trouble with the American exporter
is that II disdains to watch what ne calls
the little things" Europeans take note of
every event that may influence trade such
rates of exchange, temporary need of
certain commodity, temporary stringency
OF the money market etc. Carelessness and
bad Judgment are rampant in American
methods in Mexico. Goods are sent in Ia
beled I'm English, samples arrive on which
the expressage has not been prepaid.
= Z :
Consul General III. Clay Evans reports
that the number of undelivered letters re-
tanned I'm the London postoffice during the
year 1902 about 100000. He says: II
am much impressed with the amount of un-
necessary labor which might be saved If
the public would exercise more care i'm adj
dressing correspondence. Most of the let
ters which could not he delfvered nv the
London postal service were incorrectly or
insufficiently addressed. This carelessness
Is not confined to cOmmunica lions of an
unlmpOrtant character. During the year
324. 403 registered letters and letters con-
tanning property were sent TO the returned
letter offices as unbelievable. They were
found TO contain $94.232 in coin and bank
notes, $4,000 in checks, postal orders and
stamps. No fewer than 367. 5l9 postal pack
cts were found with no address at ALL
Owing chiefly TO the insecure manner of
fastening mail. a large amount of money
was found loose in the posts"
=
In the first six months of last year the
import trade OF the Bahamas amounted to
$4,000 OF which 100000 worth came from
the United States. The exports from
those islands reached $4,000 and all but
SIS 900 was taken by the United States
The sponge industry is the most important
carried on between the countries. aggre-
eating about $275.000 per annum. The fruit
trade is second in Importance, and hemp
follows.