Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-11-28
RELATIONS
WITH MEXICO ARE
CLOSELY WATCHED

I'll Paso, Tex. Nov. 28.-American
trade relation with Mexico now that
the war has ended, is interesting
business men and students of
economy on the border.
German agents, operating through
officials of the German empire, con-
Quoted a systematic compatgn
throughout Mexico to discredit Amer
lean made goods. This vas done with
a definite view toward trade condi-
lions after the war. This was carried
in a number of places in Mexico,
while in others the most unfair meth
DDS of damaging American goods be-
fore they were offered for sale were
resorted to by German agents.
All of these activities had for their
purpose the replacing Of American
made goods with German-made goods
after the war. Knowing that open
markets for goods made in Germany
would be restricted by prejudice and
economic barriers. the Germans
shrewdly calculated to retain Mexico
and also South American countries,
where possible, az their trade zone.
Since Europe has been practically
eliminated from the Mexican trade
during the war, Mexico has learned
to depend upon the United States for
many things previously purchased
abroad. This has tended to overcome
certain prejudices against American
goods and merchandise in this country
than in Europe. This condition did
not extend to all lines Of trade, for
the United States has long controlled
the machinery and grocery supply
business Of Mexico. BUT dresses, per-
fumes, art goods and clothing to some
extent have been bought abroad and
the made in France" or made in
Germany" products were preferred
before the a
mining men to obtain control of the
vast storehouses of metals in Mexico.
A company was organized having its
headquarters in Germany to buy up
all possible mining properties, smelter
and smelter railroads. One company
did gain control, but the necessity for
having a ready market prevented the
combination from gaining control as
it was found that competing COM
panies could sell to Allied countries
at a large profit because of the war
time demands for metals and could
pay larger salaries and more wages
This company has since been sold to
persons of non-German blood.
At one time the German imperial
government was reported to be di-
rectly interested in a chain of stores
which were established in northern
Mexico, with smaller branches in
prosperous settlements. These stores
were located where Americans were
the most active and the employees al
ways boosted that they were expected
to control more trade than the Ameri-
cans. These stores are in operation
now but nave been much restricted in
their commercial activities during the
war, due to the black list against them
and their inability to get German
goods.
A phase of the German trade prop
uganda was shown in Mexico during
the recent influenza epidemic. Drugs
were restricted for importation to
Mexico until the epidemic swept over
the republic. Then it was modified.
In the meantime Germans arranged
through Spanish or other neutrals to
buy quantities Of drugs which they
offered for sale during the epidemic,
boasting openly that the Germans
were showing their friendship in this
way, while the Americans were keep
ing drugs from them and declaring
the United States were permitting
them to die.