Omaha daily bee., 1916-11-21
ITALY EAST'S GATE
Wartime Conditions Far Less
Filled With Hardship Than
Supposed.
WELCOME TO AMERICANS

Correspondence Of The Associated Press,)
Milan. Italy. Nov. 20,-The explana'
ton OF the increasing number OF
American firms settling in Italy, is the
realization that Italy is the future
gateway 10 the Orient and to the
near east, according to Charles F.
Hauss, president of the American
Chamber Of Commerce for Italy,
Because Of its geographical posi-
ton, joining the nor,a of Europe to
the Orient" said Mr.. Hauss to a
correspondent of The Associated
Press, Italy today offers better BUSH
ness opportunities for Americans, in
my estimation, than South America or
the far east. 1t has fine commercial
stragetic position and its government
and people are actively aware OF the
fact, and intend to push this advan-
tage of location.
Dividends Are Paid.
wartime Italy is far more prosper
GUS than is generally known. The re-
cent declaration Of dividends showed
earnings higher even than in peace
times. 1t is also not generally knp"'n
that Italy bought more products :
the United States during the past year
than in any four other great coun,
tries. 1t bought over $2oO,Ooo0oo
worth from US, as compared to SS0,-
100000 In England, $50000,000 in the
Argentine, $50 100000 in France, and
$ls0o0,000 In Switzerland. j Is sell,
ing to US something over $50, 0O,0O0
worth a year, which is about its nor
NAL yearly sales before the war.
There is going to be much more
business between Italy and the United
States, as this big fact of its geo.
graphical situation Is better appre-
ciated, and when both Italy and the
United States increase their number
Of merchant ships, at present sadly
inadequate to handle the eargoes
either way, Italy has provided and
will continue to provide abundant re-
turn cargoes, such as its renowned
silks, laees, furniture, alimentary
foods, wines, cheese, its beautiful
marbles, hematite iron, lead and zinc
ores, as we'll as certain other manu-
features in which it excels. Before
the war, Italy was laying the ground
for a fine national merchant marine
and right now during the war; it is
continuing that policy.
II have lived In Italy nearly eight
of the seventeen years ] have been
in Europe, and ! can say that Italy
has the most liberal government
have ever lived under, Its laws,
though severe, are Just, and when
you get to know Italians and their
customs, you will realize what great
strides they have made in science,
industry and commerce during the
last forty years of a United Italy.
Milan, with its more than 100000 in
habitants, the heart of industrial Italy
has a record growth unique in mod
ern European history. Its popula-
ton has increased fifty per cent in the
last ten years, due to the wealth and
HuStle u It's punHncsh HltI'
"All of the American firms now in
Italy to my knowledge and belief are
prospecting, some even more than pre-
vious to the war,
1T Is no more difficult to organize
separate company here than else
where, though it would be well before
settling for an American company to
first carefully try out the field by &C
tual trial Of Its goods on the Italian
market. Obviously, for some kinds
of goods, separate company is not
advisable, as in the case of goods
light in weight, of small volume
and of a certain value, such goods
may be sea-shipped and easily en-
tered, If the tariff is not high.
Italian tariffs are not oppressive
and they are always specific, never
ad valorem. This, of course, means
that the higher the value of the mer.
chandise the easier it is to export to
Italy.
Italy welcomes American initia,
tive, capital and merchandise OF all