Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-11-07
AMERICAN TRADESMEN
FACE FIGHT IN BRAZIL
Instance of Injurious Advertising
Cited to Show What Should
Be Avoided.

RIO JANEIRO, Brazil. October a.
American business men here who re-
Gently formed "A strong chamb Of
commerce for the purpose of develop
ing the large share of the trade which
the war In Europe has thrown from
their old continent rivals into their
hands were chagrined at the appear
ance OF a large advertisement in one
of the principal journals Of this city a
few days ago which caused much mer-
riment in the commercial circles Of
their English, French. German. Italian,
Portuguese and Dutch rivals
play teli.L IN detail of the merits Of
a well known make of American auto
mobile. 1t was set forth In correct
Portuguese. the language of the coun-
be a good trade
puller but for the last line. which read:
Agent for Brazil. Mr. A. Bank.
Quito. Ecuador"
On the maps the straight-Iine dis
lance between Rio de Janeiro and
O ! O has TO. much mo-e than the
appearance OF a good broad jump; on
>Ie traue routes over wuicn letter
must Journey between these two points
~ dis" 'cN pr>~oSi'n telv 5000
miles each way. Calculating on rea-
IN ~sStt.'.o.iiP Soi-
tween the time the prospective Bra
= q 49, -e.'ea ply
pstitors with agents and displays on
"o--,- -mJoy mos. obvious
advantage.
Distances in South America are great
and are seldom realized by the North
American, who Is much more used to
vast stretches than is his European
rfv N no NJ ciS 80
above. it would have to go from Rio de
Faneiro to New York by steamer a dis
lance Of 4,770 miles, then 1879 miles
southwark to Colon, 80 miles across
west coast of South America to Guaya-
quill. Ecuador. and finally 210 miles in
land to the high plateau city of Quito
The return trip would be over the
same route. for mails are not carried
southwark to Buenos Aires and over
the Andes for this part of the con-
tinent. and. even If they were, the dis
tances still would be SO great as to
make the American automobile adver-
Users proposition ridiculous
Rivals Plan to Fight Hard.
There are evidences everywhere here
that the English. German. Ere CHI.
Spanish and Portuguese merchants
mean to fight hard to dispute the l al
recently acquired by the North Anne. l.
can in the field of Brazilian trade. For
some years prior to the war the United
States occupied third position as sup
plier of merchandise to the Brazi!ians.
During the first year of tn conflict the
northern r public crept to second place,
and ct the termination of tie second
year it had a good lead. Snich it has
since maintained. When trade con j.
tions are re-esta hlished, competition
will be keener and esta lisEing agen-
ces in the plat au region Of the Anu,
for sale of commodities in r de ia
would advertise the sale of a COM
modify In a New York paper and fer
inquiries to Its agency in Sitka. Alas
ka, will not nelp American exporters
to maintain suprerac..
To break the hold which the United
States has slowly acc CURED and to re-
sta lish prev az nditions of SUI
premacy will be the in .ex:b aim #
the English, FIR nch and German mer-
chants No influence, no ev,; suotl,
is einr owe look to $. av the Bra
lillian government and peopl4. wro
willfully misl aiding articlas shicn APP
pear frequently in h p So as to the
attitude of the United States and it's
people on tn European wa 4. and oths.
tactics Of a II 9 nature are part of tne
CT inning campaign to disc. edit the
The more open campaign consists In
the strengthe. ing Of the p. sition of
supremacy long held by the European
nations In the matter of transp ortati n,
and banking facilities.
named. the American trader is IA ~
with little hope of relief
in sight.