Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-10-16
OPPORTUNITIES IN TURKEY.
BY E.


BY WILLIAM
Special Correspondence OF The s.
CONsTANTINOPLE. September IA, 1910
China and Turkey Will be the greatest
fields for commercial and Industrial en-
terprfse In all the world for
Inviting the next half century. Both
-.,I. countries need practically
E1eAuS' everything that goes to
make up the needs Of modern civilization.
Both countries are awakening to a period
Of prosperity that is to be shared and
directed by foreigners, and both offer OPP
portunities and Inducements for men of
capital. business experience and technical
training that have never occurred before
ard cannot possibly occur again.
The promoters and capitalists Of all
the European nations are struggling for
the control OF these opportunities-to Sc
cure the privilege Of developing the min
eral resources, to build the railroads and
supply other modern improvements. and
to sell merchandise Of every sort that
viii be required by the people OF both
nations as their wants and their pur-
chasing power increase
In this competition the Americans have
certain advantages and certain disad-
vantages that are distinctly apparent In
the first place they are Handicapped by
q lack OF experience in dealing with
foreigners. and especially with orientals.
whose ways are not as our ways and
whose habits Of doing things are exas-
Yankees. To succeed in these fields-and
China and Turkey are very much alike
In this respect-those who seek conces-
sions. contracts and markets must first
cultivate patience and make a careful
study Of the character, disposition and
habits Of the men they deal with. The
habftual mistake OF the American pro-
moter and commercial agent is In trying
to do business in the way it is done in
the United States rather than adapt
habitual for generations with the people
ne wants for his customers. He usually
insists that they shall accept what he
Offers them instead Of adapting himself
and his goods to their wishes and tastes.
He wantS an answer directly: he wants
to close the trade that day. and becomes
very impatient when he is kept waiting
day after day without a reply either one
way or the other
Then. again. in dealing with conces-
sions and contracts for large enter
prises the American competi-
Olney's tor usually. fails to consider
n-a.. the political interests that
~~A' are involved and the diplo-
matte complications that influence every
transaction between China and Turkey
and the European powers. We are not
accustomed to such things. Our gov
eminent has always held off when con-
cessiOns and contracts with foreign
nations have been sought by our citi-
zens. Secretary Olney issued a formal
order to all members of the diplomatic
and consular service forbidding them to
do more than Introduce and identify
applicants for a share of the
worlds trade. His instructions have
never been formally revoked. They have
been. a dead letter for some years, but
have been IAN ever present help in time
of trouble" to our ministers and consuls
when they have had reasons for not wish
ing to exert their influence in behalf of
fellow-countrymen.
The present administration has gone
farther than any Of its predecessors in
rotary Knox had introduced what has
been satirically described as dollar
by the interest he has shown
In assisting American applicants for con-
tracts and concessions in Europe. Asia
and South America. He has accom-
pliShed a great deal and is likely to ac-
cofnplish more.
The great markets of the world are
being investigated and reported upon by
commissions. special agents and experts
benefit Of our manufacturers and export
although 1t is doubtful
whether the value of the reports they
have forwarded to Washington Is fully
realized by the interests for whose bene-
fit they are intended. For example, there
ha ont he
sulates at Constantinople, Smyrna, Beirut,
Saloniki. Trebizond and other Turkish
cities, and by Special Agents Pepper and
Brode of the bureau OF manufactures
information and suggestions of the very
highest Importance to the manufacturers
Of the United States and to commission
houses and merchants who are engaged
in the export trade.
The educational value Of these reports
has been materially increased by the way
John M. Carson. chief Of the bureau of
Of Washington, but very
few OF the suggestions and recommended
tons have been acted upon. Most Of them
have been read, no doubt, by people who
might make profitable use of the informa-
ton they contain, but who have thrown
them aside without recognizing advan-
tages that would Immediately appear to q
European merchant or manufacturer with
experience in such matters Indeed, the
agents in foreign countries are SO freely
reprinted by European governments and
trade papers that 1t Is often declared that
they are Of more benefit to English, Ger
man and French exporters than to our
own people.
The indifference is not due entirely to a
lack Of enterprise and knowledge. Sew
eral American firms have
American had an Improbable ex-
,.~ perience in seeking for
AAVAAeAoASo' eign trade, which may
have been due in a measure to their own
mistakes or misfortunes. Many more,
however are so we'll satisfied with the
home market that they do not care to de-
vote their energies and their capital to
foreign markets.
Those who have interested themselves
in this subject often hear the old adase
that 1.-The game Is not worth the candle
applied to opportunities that European
and sy indicates would jump at.