The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1908-02-05
AsIATIc TURKEY.
American Trade Conditions Therein and
How to Improve Them.

In reply to a request for a list of Beirut
importers-which IS placed on file In the
Bureau of factures--and information
relative TO commercial conditions in Asia
Minor, Consul-General G.. Bic Ravndal, of
that place. transmits the following report:
Generally speaking. American trade is
making progres in these regions, both in
value and variety. The American goods
sold here now comprise petroleum, 0leo-
margarine, beer, canned groceries, leather,
wire nails, cotton goods (piece goods, blan-
kets, hosiery, etc.), pumps, paints, drugs,
hardware. furniture. machinery (agrieul-
tural, milling. irrigating, sewing and type
writing). and the goods which could be
profitably introduced are -four, lumber,
COAL cottOn-seed oil, biscuits and crackers,
refrigerators, metal bedsteads. shoes.
stoves. enameled ware, lamps, clocks,
jewelry, printing paper, mechanics tools,
iron beams, iron piping, petroleum engines,
etc.
Especial efforts should be made to in
crease the sales of American cotton cloth.
which, in the opinion Of the special textile
agent Of the Department Of Commerce and
Labor, who recently visited here, is entire
ly feasible. Cotton textiles constitute more
than one-half the total imports Of these
markets, amounting to about SIS, 000, 600 per
mum.
lowing to, railway extension in asia
Minor. Mesopotamia and Arabia. Beirut is
assuming larger commercial proportions,
while since the Inauguration OF the Aus
trlan Lloyd weekly service between Trieste
and this port mail from New York can
reach here in fifteen days and cargo in
thirty days. American goods, IL proper
heed is paid TO sailings, can now reach this
market as quickly as goods shipped from
Hamburg, Liverpool or Antwerp. and at
approximately the same freight cost.
Owing to recently established parcel
post conventions with some of the Euro
postof1ces In the principal seaport cities
of Turkey, American samples can be sent
more quickly than formerly, although this
indirect parcel post system leaves much to
Turkey in Asia offers opportunity for the
| profitable investment Of American capital
in public works, such as railroads, harbors,
electric street car service, electric lighting
plants, telephones, water works, tourist
hotels and in developing it's natural re-
sources, which now lie dormant, in mines,
projects. Such Investments are of great
Importance TO the growth and stability
of foreign There is no bank
anywhere within reach where drafts on
the United States may be purchased, which
Is a drawback to trade transactions.
II an: strongly in favor of the estab-
lishment here, under direct American
management, OF an agency for American
manufacturers, we'll supported and sup
piled with Samples to meet the increasing
demands of Asiatic Turkey. Such an
agency would not only work up trade in
the most feasible and successful manner,
put 1t would do away with the large com
mission charges now exacted and enable
American manufacturers to find out where
credits could be safely given, etc. III
should be remembered that Syrian whole
sale dealers are compelled to give long
credits to their customers. In the abb
sence of such trade agencies, the next
best trade auxiliaries are commercial
travellers carrying samples and authof1zeo
to offer quotations. II any advertising If
done for Asiatic Turkey, It should be In
the form Of posters In the Arabic Ian
guage. There are many Arabic printing
Offices In the United States.
THE American college at Beirut, a non.
sectarian institution, has an attendance
of about 900 young men from Egypt, and
the Sudan, the Greek and Turkish arcnl'
pelagoes. Asia Minor, Syria, Mesopotamia
Arabia and Palestine, who, to a. great de'
gree, graduate as merchants, bank ON
Gals, clerks, etc, and become pioneers
of modern trades and industries In tht
cities and towns throughout the countrie:
mentioned. To famillarlze those students
with the products of the farm. mine, Tor,
est, and factory OF the United States
would recommend that American CONNER
cial and Industrial publications and sam
pies of natural and MANUFACTURED PROD,
ucts be sent to the library and museum o.
the college, which. no doubt. will be es
naaia1IOl annFA0iatAd