The Washington herald., 1908-08-30

-----zs. beats ard 1ra-e-iaI s1-.-------- = 80
z-z7 mostly c'--5l Tlece GOD L-45.l0
To.sI ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS asros
So far as the natives are concerned.
no are the most important 10 consider
.acause the bulk OF future trade viii be
.arrled on with them the items Of great
ezr interest 20 the American manufac-
-rer n the foregoing list are. in the
der OF their value. cotton piece goods.
.aachea and ulbieaChed. prints and dyes.
-=1d products. consisting for the greater
= lrt Of canned meats and vegetables.
gely consumed. il IS true hv the white
2ulation at present. but for which q
-DaEd can be created among the na-
-vss- clothing. the bulk OF which IS
Ireap undertaking. shirts shoes hats,
I'd caps hardware. Of which an iupOr-
ut part IS enaneled iron ware. plates.
q sins various kitchen utensils. &c
The remainder OF the articles are for
larger part imported for use IN build
s and opening Up the country for the
-iteS. construction and maintenance OF
ilTays. steamer lines. &c The sale OF
l1ohc1c liquors 10 natives in the Upper
T1ngo IS forbidden BY law
tactical Method to Secure Trade.
-Ee question Of methods 10 secure trade
last be regarded from the standpoint Of
-r= interest OF the American manufac-
-E-er. and not OF the individual small
--1der- There IS but one practical way
o. TIE America unanufacturer to secure
nd retain f0othold n this market
lich promises results materially inc-eas-
American foreign trade here and
--CE Viii eventually make the venture
nth while II Is not likely that Arneri-
- d goods viii ever reach this market 10
- large extent except directly through
q Ia.
very trading house already established
The Lower ConEo-EnEl ish. French
.=-rlan. Dutch. Portuguese. or Belgian
interested primarily. ln pushing the
--e Of the goods Of its own nation. The
-ge conCessiolary companies are ali
sian, they purchase the greater part
f their supplies IN Belgium. and their
-re- goods are mostly Belgian As "a
=-gIan colony. the future administration
II be interested first Of all in encourag-
. and broadening the market for Bel
an ma1ufactures-
Geographical position and direct lines
steamers from almost al the countries
aIed are other important factors "a
---able 70 their trade development here.
-1r these reasons I believe. there IS but
re practical and Efficient wav by which
ne can succeed IN gaining a firm foot
-a-c Eere-uar-eiy- through the orgauiza-
-71 OF an American trading house com
'.ls=C preferably Of a combination OF va
-ous American manufacturers of. OF deal
rs in- the different lines OF merchandise
e Is found profitable TO handle. and in
rested therefore. before all in intro
.-cinE and pushing exclusively American
-oocs- A number Of general stores should
.e established IN favorable localities with
- central distributing warehouse and store
10 Leopoldville
Distribution of Supplies.
The company should Own and operate
rs own steamer OF steamers on the upper
river for the transport Of its goods and
distribution 20 the various stores estab-
Hshed. as well as the Carrying to LEOPOLD
vile Of the merchandise received in ex-
charEe-rlb5er, ivory. &c. The network
OF navlSaols waterways furnishes the
most convenient means Of communication
Al present. but freight rates on the steam
ers belonging 70 the state are high and
porterage "a dos d-homue~ Is slow and
uncertain and must eventually be done
away with entirely
A thoroughly efficient and practical
business man should be sent out to study
the general situation the wants OF the
natives, manner Of packing goods for
tropical countries. &c and decide as 20
the most favorable localities for the
establishment Of the stores The preIim-
2E-arE Worh would doubtless require fully
q years tine. Cotton piece goods vii
form the principal article OF commerce
a first but II would be unwise for the
company TO confne Itself 90 any one line
through contact with the whites the ma
terial wants o. the natives viii gradually
increase. and the company must be pre-
pared 10 supply these wants in every d.
TectiCn.
Difficulties to Overcome.
II the absence Of money as a circulating
medium OF trade. and the entire ignorance
OF the greater part Of the natives in the
Upper Congo as 70 its value or use. the
trade n the beginning viii be simply Z.
question OF barter For this reason. Der
hsps. the gre1test difficulty which a trad
ing house viii meet with AZ first viii be
to persuade the native 10 bring in his
croduce IN exchange for goods offered
some tine must necessarily elapse and
constantly humane. just. and generous
-reatment Invariably accorded the native