The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-08-28

New York, August H-(SpeciaL) Stephen Pombo, who Is esteemed one or the leading banking forces of Colombia South America, arrived at New York yes terday with intent to undertake some large financial and commercial transac- tions.
 MT. Porbo reports that Colombia has already begun a large trade with the United States which IS sure to be greatly increased and is likely to be maintained after the European war Is ended. Coiom- bia has been stripped of almost every thing in the form of supplies, excepting food, of which she had plenty. Before the European war began this republic im- ported very little from the United States, her chief purchases being made in Austria and Germany. No longer do German or Austrian imports reach Co., lombia so that it is now essential that her people turn to the United States for commodities of which they stand in great need.
 On the other hand, Colombia will be ln a position to export to this country other commodities, among them being beef cat tie, of which we in turn stand In need. As an example of Colombia's necessitles for household articles and the rapldlty with which the United States IS meeting these needs, MT. Pombo speaks or taole knives Formerly these were lmporteu from Germany, but the supply has been about exhausted. American manufactur- CTS were asked if they could furnish co lombia with these table utensils. After an examination of specimens which were sent to the United States the Ameflcah manufa cturers agreed to furnish all the knives that were needed. They have al- ready sent to Colombia several thousand dozens and will continue to export these utensils until the Colombia market IS fully supplied.
 Before the European war Colombia im- ported her chinaware and porcelain chief ly from Austria, but since the war the Columbian people have been unable until recently to obtain fresh supplies of these wares Her representatives approached American manufacturers. One manufac- turer in Indiana of chinaware until re- gently did not export a dollars worth Of his products This manufacturer was ap- pealed to and responded willingly and is now making and shipping to Colombia chinaware in large amounts as are also other American manufacturers.
 Presumably Mr. Pombo has some inn portant financing under consideration. But, of course, there are no disclosures
 respecting this purpose that can be made
 at present. American capital which has been invested in the business of export ing commodities to Colombia has since our imports increased accomplished some thing which at one time was thought inn
 possible. The merchants of Colombia have in the past been accustomed to make
 payments on account of purchases in four
 months time. The notes which they gave however, were found not to be ne- gotiable in the New York markets. After some argument the merchants were per suaded to accept drafts drawn against bills of lading which were returned to the United States and found ready dis count in the banks of New York city. This arrangement has greatly facilitated our increase of trade with Colombia.
 
 lombia as unsurpassed by any other South American republic in the wealth of her resources. Much of these await American capital for development, and it is believed that notwithstanding the strain caused by our own great financ- ing, capital will be found in the United States for the development of Colombia s resources. The republic has immense cat tie ranches and little care of the cattle is necessary It is expected that these ranches will to some extent make good the deficiency in our own meat supply An English company some years ago
 began dredging some of the river beds in Colombia for the purpose of securing gold deposits. The success of this work has been phenomenal and the shares in this company are held at prohibitive prices. When undertaking to develop some of the
 mines in Colombia 1t was found necessary to cut away underbrush, part of which consisted of certain species of small rubber trees. There exuded from these small trees when they were cut a gum whose characteristics were not recog- nized, although it seemed to be in some respects similar to the gum obtained from | the great rubber forests of interior Co., | lombia One of the prospectors being | curious, sent a specimen of this gum to l the United States for analysis The result was the discovery that this gum when properly treated yielded the hardest kind | of rubber and already a great demand for | it has come from the manufacturers Of automobile tires. Mir Pombo believes that very large commerce with the