Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1916-10-20

English or German concerns. Now
Americans could easily supply the ma
terial of even the ready made clothes
if they made the effort. Get your ex-
porters to send us samples" is the de-
mand of each shopkeeper, "the Ger
mans and the English sent us all the
samples We needed"
Both in Russia and Siberia there is
a big demand for farm implements
and all sorts Of American machinery
and 1t is believed that when the war
is over there will be an even greater
market. II the war should last only
until the beginning of 1917, Russia's
national debt will be somewhere in
the neighborhood of thirty-two billion
rubles. Besides this, she will have a
long pension list of crippled soldiers
can not be met by taxation alone, and
only one expedient will be left the
development Of her natural resources.
But for this foreign capital will be
needed. Most of the other European
nations will have all they can do to
look after their own loans, and the
United States will be the one country
best fitted to undertake the invest
ment. Already many joint stock COM
panies of Russian and American Arms
have been formed, and American fac
tories are shooting up all over Russia.
They are worked by American en-
ployes and run by American machin-
cry.
! American agricultural experts have
also been employed by the Russian
zemstvos to operate agricultural ex-
pertinent stations throughout Siberia.
They have Immediately imported
quantity Of American farm imple
ments, which have thus become popu-
lar among the Russian farmers. One
United States agricultural expert has
been engaged by the Russian govern
ment for the past couple of years for
the purpose of introducing corn-grow
ing into Russia Corn has been plant
ed at several of the experiment sta
tons and Is proving generally success
full.
| 1t is to be regretted that American
manufacturers enjoy the same reputa-
ton for careless packing In Russia
that they do in South America. In
shipment of farm plows and tractors
that arrived in Vladivostok recently
many pieces were ruined The boxes
had been packed as if they were to be
transported from New York to Chica-
go instead of on long ocean voyage
in which they are always subjected to
rough handling and dampness.
An essential requirement of the
salesman in Russia. for which the
tA ~ AZ ~
is tact. The American is too ant to
become impatient or discouraged at
the interference of the secret service
of Russia and the amount Of red tape
required in transacting business. For
this reason it has been suggested by
the Russian-American societies that
American firms take particular care to
choose men that are both energetic
rather than those who have smat-
tering Of French or Russian. In the
past also many concerns have ruined
their chances by sending over sales
men without proper powers Of attor-
ney executed before an American no.
tary and also before Russian consul
lar officer in the United States when
such things are regarded as important
in Russia. The Russian merchant is
much impressed by display OF docV-
ments. just as the government is Al.
ways impressed by title. Where
concessions or contracts must be OBJ
! tanned or someone put in charge OF
construction work. the agent should
always be an officer of the Arm or
company.
Our trade with Russia is not con-
N SvNc o1n -. -.
port large number of her raw pro-
lducts-mostly hides and skins. raw
drugs. caviar and bristles. At the be-
ginning Of the war, Russia declared
an embargo on certain of these arti-
cles, thereby working a hardship on
American merchants who were await.
ing large consignments Negotiations
were Immediately taken up by the
state department and by various com.
mercial organizations in this country,
and Russia obligingly lifted the EN-.
barge permitting the shipments to
some forward upon the condition that
the American merchants would prom
Use not to reexport them to any other
country during the three years to
! come or until the end of the war.
This was the beginning of cordial
relations between the two countries.
Since then every month has shown a
big increase in the exchange OF ex.
ports, and American influence is gain.
ing secure bold in the Russian mar.
kets. 1t is with slight apprehension.
however. that American business men
await the outcome Of the war. Will
Constantinople be the great future
port of entry in Russia? Or will Ger.
many be allowed to regain her monop.
oily on Russian imports and exports?
The American business men think not.