New-York tribune., 1906-08-19
COLOMBIA GOOD FIELD.
u. S. Minister Says americans
Should EndeaUOr TO Gain Its Trade.

The relations between the United Stat-s and
Colombia are still somewhat strained owing to the
position assumed by this government at the time Of
the secession of Panama. and our purchase of the
Panama Canal franchise from the revolted state.
StiI. the Colombians not people Of such poor
business capacity to allow this feeling to inter
fere with their trade prospects. and John Barrett,
United States Minister. who IS stationed Bogota.
is convinced that the American manufacturer and
exporter have most promising field in Colombia
II they choose to exploit II.
The United States Is the best market which
Colombia has. Not only do purchase more of
Colombia'g products than any other nation the
globe. but. time goes on, Colombia is to
depend more and more on the demands of American
consumers. At the time, the United States
is in position 70 supply four-ffths of everything
which Colombia buys abroad. and should in time,
control by far the greatest proportion of her i'm
ports. Both nations, therefore. have vital and
mutual interests at stake. and both should study
their commercial and political interests in the sin
desire Of permanently bettering them. It is
humiliating to European countries, with less
at stake than Americans. investing in Colombia or
locating there. instead Of Americans of faint heart
and temporary stay. The strong minded Ameri-
cans, who really trying to bring about better
OOmmercialism between the two countries, Minister
Barrett SAYS are not only appreciated by the
Colombans. but they to reap, in time.
worthy reward for their confidence in Colombia
and their perseverance in developing it's manifold
resources. They wise In their generation.
United States such exports coffee, hides alfga-
tor skins. goat skins gold bars and gold dust,
rubber. tobacco. balsam OF tolu, heron plumes and
other feathers. hats bananas. cocoanuts
chocolate, ivory nuts, Quina- platinum. dyewoods.
cedar and mahogany. orchids. etc The value of
these exports in 1905 reached nearly S6SOO 600
In gold. That amount will be trebled when Colom-
bia is started on an era of permanent peace and
her productiveness Is increased Colombian I'm
ssne, agricultural implements mining and sugar
refining machinery. railroad and steamboat equip
ment, novelties of all kinds. shoes matches, arms
and sporting goods hardware. dyes, chemicals
toilet articles. some lines of cotton cloth and
clothing, paper and printing supplies. Excepting
the first OF these articles, however, the greatest
quantities supplied by Europe Imports from
the United States in 1905 amounted in value to but
eS7O00OO. although the grand total of foreign
Imports amounted TO, approximately, from $12 20OO,-
900 TO $4,000. 600.
One of the principal things to which the attention
of American exporters to Colombia should be
called Is the necessity Of strong, careful and spe-
Tial packing. This Is more important in the shin
ment of goods to Colombia than in shipments To-
almost any other country. The tropical atmos-
phere all the ports OF entry and the transporta-
ton muleback overland from the rivers to the
cities the reason for this necessity The damn
and heat of the air will ruin delicate and
other shipments not incased in tin or air and
facilities OF the mule trains require that packages
shall not exceed lbs pounds in weight. These F1ies
apply 20 the great average run OF imports There
is special provision for heavy machinery Of course
but its transportation Is always expensive danger
Gus and slow. The completion OF the new railroads
now being constructed will solve the problem az
weight but it cannot provide against the dampness
and the haat