Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-08-09

. through which the manufacturers o
France will make determined effort to pu'
and sell In hitherto uncovered markets II
the United States after the war. The gen
eral idea, according to NJ. Clemantel, MIN
lister Of Commerce and Industry In tn
French Cabinet is that open preference
will be given to American products in 9
frank bid for a reciprocal condition, moi
only for the Industrial and artistic OUTPUT
for which France is world famous, but fol
merchandise heretofore popularity associated
| in large measure with German and English
industry.
In a short interview granted me NJ Cle-
mante said:
I'VE have learned many things through
the war that we expect when put into prac-
tlce will, from both buying and selling
perspective, revolutionize our economic fu-
ture Cne is that we want to buy more and
sell more in the United states
I'VE have reputation for beautiful ar
tistic, luxurious products that has never
been approached by any other nation In
the history of commerce. We shall not only
retain It, but increase IT, But we shall
no longer be satisfied with the classification
as a nation of merely artisans and artists.
We have always made the practical. the
useful, I may say the homely articles Of
trade as we'll Only. we have never Sc
riously sought a market for them, the con-
sumption having been nnety-hve per cent
within our own frontiers. We now pro-
pose frankly seeking new markets where
we have long since held old ones. The
new will be In general classes of merchan-
disc that are, broadly speaking, supposed
to be other than of French manufacture.
We shall openly go after the largest mar.
ket for the sale of all classes of French
product; and enter the largest market for
the purchase of the enormous needs that
will confront France. In both senses this
logically means the United States.
I'VE shall need quantities and quantities
Of American merchandise, machinery and
manufactured products for the re-establsh-
ment of our invaded districts alone. and
we shall need also vast ranges of general
supplies and foodstuffs We propose very
frankly seeking them In America in pref
erence to other countries, not only with the
idea of supplying our needs, but of reclp-
rocally influencing American trade for
general French production in all grades
and of all natures.
French Staple Goods for America
I'VE would like to see our trade to and
from the United States assume a stupendous
aggregate. We want to sell to American |
and consumers range of man.
ufactured stuff that, popularity speaking, has |
been associated in the past as the special |
privilege Of Germany and England Be-
cause we are first of all a people of artistic |
genius and our markets are full of beauti- |
full things sight has been entirely lost Of |
the fact that we also make a great range OF |
useful things We want the American peo-
Pile to become as familiar with our cotton
cloths as they are with our silks, with our
'anned goods as they are with our jewelry,
With our simple. inexpensive furniture and
as they are with such merchan-
lise of an expensive, luxurious nature And
We want the French people to become faml-
ar in return with the great range of manu-
'actured product that the United States can
furnish us, and which before the war clme
from Germany
80 we shall very openly go into the
American market at the close of hostilities
FOR the many purchases that might be
bought elsewhere. with the Interior motive
If bidding, all else being equal in price and
luality, for preference among buyers there
'or French product
From our own perspective we have al
ready formulated plans in this important
step. We shall have in Paris special bu-
reaus. where American buyers can find at
heir disposal samples and examples of all |
grades and qualities In a specific trade. the |
whole under one roof, with the advantages
Of free office conveniences, stenographers |
and the like. The buyer will no longer
be compelled to run all over Paris and |
France but will find everything In which he |
Is interested, so to speak, at arms length.
These bureaus will be at convenient centers |
and will of themselves not only invite new
trade, but facilitate the old. Perhaps as
times roll on such bureaus may exist in
New York for the convenience of French |
buyers.