The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-09-17
our SMALL TRADE WTTH Egypt.
special Agent Pepper POInt out How n
Might BE Largely increased.

WASHINGTON, Sept. IO.-Special Agent
Charles II. Pepper, who was sent 10 Egypt
TO report upon the prospects for increased
trade with that country. has made an inter-
csting report to the bureau Of manufactures
which should be studied carefully by Amer
lean manufacturer The remarkable de-
velopment which Egypt has undergone in
recent years il well known, and the opinion
Is generally expressed that II will he many
years before this development is in any
way arrested, and in the meantime the buy
Ing power Of the inhabitants Ia constantly
increasing.
The United States does not nave a fair
share Of the trade with Egypt. The imports
from Egypt nave reached nearly $4,000, 900.
and the average for seven years was 81. 1884,
o57. In return direct shipments Of goods
from the United States rarely exceed 81 .OOO,-
600 and in some years have fallen below
$500, 900. II ia clear hat the United States
should furnish a larger share OF the Egyptian
imports. That can be done, Special Agent
Pepper reports, il proper efforts are made
to sell goods in Egypt.
The economic situation Of Egypt is that
Of a great stretch Of rich agricultural terri
tory less subject TO the uncertainties OF
crops than most agricultural regions, be-
cause the irrigation from the waters OF the
Nile, which for ages have rendered the lands
fertile, frees them from the dangers OF
drought, and now, because OF the compare
lively recent improvements, also from
foods. The basic wealth OF the soil IL con-
stantly increasing through the more thor
ough and equitable distribution OF the
waters OF the great river by dams, canals
and storage reservoirs constructed on the
most modern scientific principles.
It Is proposed TO raise the Assouan dam
20 feet in height, at an estimated. cost OF
81, 800 900, with the expectation that TINS
Improvement will suffice for the perennial
irrigation of 800, 900 acres and add t75 900 600
TO the national wealth. This Improvement
is said to have been determined upon by
the Government. In addition there are
comprehensive plans for the storage and
distribution Of the waters in middle and in
upper Egypt and for drainage in the delta:
There is a wide demand in Egypt, Mr..
Pepper says, for machinery. Dealers in
Alexandria and Cairo assert that mauutact-
urers in the United States offer no en-
couragement for the introduction and sale
Of their goods. But there il no complaint
that American machinery ia not equal IN
quality TO that Of Europe. Because OF the
hot country the use of agricultural ma
chinery il encouraged, and there ought TO
be a good field for American manufacture
in that direction. During the first six
months of this year 1897 900 worth OF agrl-
cultural machinery was imported, or nearly
double the amount for the same period OF
last year. Electric lighting and the use OF
electricity in other ways open demand for
materials for such purposes. The demand
for automobiles and auto and motor cars
in general is an increasing one, and so with
many other things which are produced Tor
export by the United States.
No preferential tariff exists in Egypt,
and the treaties Of commerce, which have
the favored nation clause, do not affect
the customs schedules. The majority OF
articles from all countries pay a uniform
duty of \ per cent. ad valorem, and this
uniform treatment of all countries should
make it comparatively easy for the United
States to greatly increase its sales in Egypt.
One thing necessary is the establishment
Of a direos steamship line. An English
combine or trust now controls most OF this
Egyptian steamship trade.