The Washington herald., 1910-05-01
AMERICAN GOODS IN TURKEY

Special Correspondence Tie Washington Herald
Constantinople, March 20,-The rapid
opening OF the country and the adop-
ton. both by the general government
and municipalities. OF modern improve
ments and methods of transportation Al
ready attract an army Of commercial
agents. contractors. and other representa-
tives Of manufactures Of all kinds from
pretty nearly all over the world. not
even excluding Japan.
Your correspondent has urged upon
American manufacturers and investors
such effort and it seems 10 have hsd
a wholesome effect. for n large num-
Der Of Americans arc now either in The
capital or travelling through the provinces
trying 70 introduce the products Of their
factories. or undertaking important i'm
provement work Of municipal and pro-
vincial government; more particularly
are many Of them DESTROYS 10 obtain con-
cessions for building trolley and telephone
systems, and IN their quest your CORE
spondent understands that they have tho
moral support Of the American Embassy
and consulates throughout the empire;
thing which hitherto had been denied
them
Formerly these American officials did
not life a straw to help their country
men in their efforts, either 10 invest money
or to invade the market OF Turkey with
American products. and the most that
they used 10 do was to introduce the
individuals, without so little as rocom-
mending them 10 those who would deal
with them. but now they go much
further. even TO the extent of furnish
Ing them with data and using their Own
personal influence to help them along in
making q deal.
It is OF significance to mention in this
connection that the big loans Turkey is
asking for in installments the American
Embassy is trying to help American
fnanciers to land at least an appreciate
portion Of the large sum required i'm
America. This I gathered from reliable
sources, and Ambassador Straus. whose
race is distinctly that Of fnanciers, be-
sides his diplomatic training and In
stinct. may be depended upon 10 do the
job
While the country Is being opened
largely TO manufacture and commercial
enterprises. and TO modern devices for
public works and the development of the
land. the natural wealth OF the earth is
already being exploited after centuries
Of inactivity dating as far back as the
DAYS of the Romans.
Yet must confess that the Americans,
with all their business aptitude and the
remarkable newly organized consular
service of the United states, have
many obstacles TO contend with in com
netting with English, German. French.
italian. and other Europeans who have
been in the Turkish markets for so long.
and in consequence understand the situa-
ton. having banking houses Of their own
ana steamship lines established through
ont the empire for the sole purpose Of as
slsting them In their endeavOrs TO sell
their products and strengthen them In
their trade with Turkey; besides, the num-
erous colonies of their own nations scat
tered all over European and Asiauc Tur-
key give them a Sreat deal of advau
tage over Americans
Notwithstanding all this / am conf
dent that the Turks would prefer TO deal
with the Americans. for more reasons
than enc, but in particular their being