Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-02-16
United States and Venezuela.

1
| pared by Percy F. Martin, F. r. G. s.,
and published in the American Indus
| tries. emphasizes our opportunity for
| Increased trade with that state. He
| believes that our geographical position
and commanding industrial lead will
eventually give us first place in the
trade of t!at republic. He recognizes
the cause for the present apathy, but
sees the way out into more prosperous
and cordial relations. His optimistic
paper is gratifying to those who want
10 see our trade and industries grow
along legitimate lines.
Mr.. Martin pays glowing tribute to
our consular representatives in the lar
ger towns and says that if our trade
has shown but a small advance during
with them, for they are energetic and
well informed, and have sent such use
ful reports to this country that the
British trade publications have reprint
ed them in preference to the almost
worthless bulletins supplied by the
British government
He calls attention to the fact that
trade conditions within Venezuela have
not improved To the extent it was
hoped that they would when General
Gomez succeeded Castro. He finds a
reason for this IN the contentious with
the United States, each and all of
whom have grievances against this lit
tie state. AS a result, the Japanese
have awaited themselves of the situa-
ton and are making rapid progress in
gathering the trade for themselves. He
says:
In the meantime the Japanese
are awaiting themselves of the sit
uation and with some marked ef-
feet. A number of the Japs are to
be found in the principal cities OF
the republic, and one OF whom L
heard recently is the special cor
respondent of the principal daily
newspaper in the land of the
chrysanthemum. and is travelling
everyw here picking up and publish
ing information concerning the
trade and commerce of South Amer
lea such as cannot fail 20 be of the
utmost value to his cOuntrymen.
Oriental emigration, being now for
hidden to Canada and the United
States and certain of the British
colonies, the problem of providing
a convenient and profitable outlet
for their ever increasing population
has been partially solved by turn
Ing to the huge and vastly-rich
countries of Latin-Amcrica.'
But Mr. Martin sees brighter flu
ture for the United States in this trade
with the Latin American republics. He
believes that our geographical advan-
tage will tell in the long run, in freight
rates at least, and that with more at
tention on the part of the United
States to all the Latin American re-
publcs, Venezuela will come in for her
share.
III lJ'o NtIcHucld poi eCo 10" ILL.,
terials to the value of S2600O,000. the
United States purchasing more than
one-half or about $l4,500,000 worth
During the same period Venezuela i'm
ported goods to the value of s10,000.0O0
and the United States supplied only
about one-fifth or 81, SOC, 900 worth. This
is not the proportion that it should be. |
VeneZuelans take kindly to our flour, |
wheat, petroleum and products, barbed |
wire and American cotton and wooden |
goods Tne criticism is made, however, |
that in cotton and wooden manufacture |
attention is not given to the demands |
of the trade there.
In 1908 according to Mr. Martin. Ven |
ezuela purchased all told some $4,267, |
443 of manufactured cottons, made from |
raw materials grown in the United |
States. OF this sum the pitifully small |
amount which comes from America was |
of the value of $353,571, which, however.
was an improvement upon the figures |
of 1907. In regard to machinery, the |
United States did somewhat better sup |
plying $i0,393, out of total of $11S,325; |
and in agricultural machinery $40,240 |
worth out of $159,44l. He finds also a |
good demand for American printing |
paper and boots and shoes of the bet |
ter quality.
1t would seem in view of the infor |
nation furnished by Mr.. Martin, in ad- |
clifton to or consular reports. that the |
time has come for exploiting Ameri |
can goods in the Venezuelan market. !
While there is some trouble in the |
state. vet the future is bound to be |
more peaceful than the past. for it |
could not be worse than it has been.