Grand Forks herald., 1916-12-08
u. s. TRADE IN
brazil FOUGHT
By FOREIGNERS
English, French and Ger.
man Seek to Break Amer
lean Hold.

Rio de Jeneiro, Brazil Dec. s.
American business men here who re-
Gently formed a strong chamber of
Commerce for the purpose of devel-
oping 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
appearance Of large advertisement
in one of the principal journals Of
this city q few days ago which caused
much merriment in the commercial
circles of their English, French, Ger
man. Italian, Portuguese and Dutch
rivals.
The advertisement was n large dis
play telling in detail of the merits Of
a well-known make of American au-
tomobile. 1t was set forth in correct
Portuguese. the language of the coun-
try. and would have been a good
trade-puller but for the last line
which read: Agent for Brazil, Mr..
A. Blank, Quito, Ecuador"
On the MAPS the straight line dis
tance between Rio de- Janeiro and
Quito has not much more than the
appearance of a good broad jump; on
the trade routes over which letter
must journey between these two
points the distance Is approximately
5000 miles each way. Calculating on
reasonably close rail and steamship
connections four months would elapse
between the time the prospective
Brazilian buyer posted and received
reply for an order or inquiry. Eu-
ropean competitors with agents and
displays on the spot would enjoy a
most 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 Eu-
ropean rival. In the case of the let
from Rio de Janeiro to New York by
steamer a distance Of Alto miles,
thence 1872 miles southwark to Co
lon, SO miles across the canal zone,
S35 miles down the west coast Of
South America to Guayaquil. Ecua-
dor, and finally 210 miles inland to
the high plateau city of Quito. The
return trip would be over the same
route for mails are not carried south
ward to Buenos Aires and over the
Andes for this part Of the continent,
and, even If they were, the distances
still would be SO great as to make
the American automobile advertisers 8
proposition ridiculous.
There are evidences everywhere
here that the English, German,
French, Spanish and Portuguese mer-
the lead recently acquired by the
North American in the field Of Bra
lillian trade. For some years prior
to the war the United States occu-
pied thi ii position as supplier of mer-
chandise to the Brazilians. During
the first year OF the conflict the
northern republic crept to second
place and at the termination of the
second year it had good lead which
it has since maintained. When trade
conditions are re-established, com
petition will be keener and establish
ing agencies in the plateau region
of the Andes for sale of commodities
in Rio de Janeiro, which is as if an
English firm would advertise the sale
Of a commodity In New York pa
per and refer inquiries to its agency
in Sitka, Alaska-will not help Amer
lean exporters to maintain supremacy.
To break the hold which the Uni
ted States has slowly acquired and
to re-esta blish pre-war conditions OF
supremacy, will be the infiexible aim
of the English. French and German
merchants. No influence, however
subtle, is being overlooked to sway
the Brazilian government and people.
Wrong interpretations OF the Monroe
doctrine, willfully misleading articles
which appear frequently in the press
as to the attitude Of the United States
and its people on the European war.
and other tactics of like nature are
part OF the cunning campaign to dis
credit the northern trade.
The more open campaign consists
ir the strengthening OF. the position
of supremacy long held by the Eu-
ropean nations in the matter of trans
portation, communication and bank
ing facilities Here. with the excep-
tion of the last named, the American
trader is badly handicapped with lit
tie hope Of relief In sight.
All of the daily newspapers in Buf-
falo, N. Y. have increased their sub
scription price and their street sale
price. The double price per pound
for print paper Ii one Of the reasons,
and other expenses are largely In
creased, It II statsd.