The sun., 1919-10-13
AIMS TO EXPAND
MEXICAN BUSINESS
President of American Cham
Der Of Commerce in That
Country Outlines Plans.
SHOWS INVITING FIELD
Organization Will Devote 1t.
self to Clearing Way for
Friendly Trade.

nercial situation in Mexico has been
brought here by Herbert p Lewis. pres
dent of the American Chamber OF Com
nerce in that country. who has just
completed a short visit to the city with
2 view to improving economic condi.
lions on the other side of the border.
Mr.. Lewis while full of optimism re-
earding the future of Mexico. does not
believe that anything can be accom-
plished unless he and all others inter-
Fsted will work hard and intelligently
10 that end.
Mr.. Lewis's message to those whose
hopes and ambitions centre on Mexico
Is as follows:
Let us keep our vision clear and
work for the prosperity and we'll being
pr Mexico, and the happiness of her
people. Do this and she will generously
reward you for your confidence"
In an interview with SUN repre-
sentative Mr.. Lewis became enthusiast.
on the subject. do you know" he
Faid. that Mexico is as large as Great
Britain, France, Germany, Belgium.
Italy, Greece and Cuba combined; THAI
Mexico has practically every resource
known to mankind awaiting develop
ment? Do you know it has a longer
coast line than continental United States
and no great fisheries yet in operation
Extent of Resources.
Mexico leads the world in production
Of silver. henequen fiber and chicle. She
has more sugar land than Cuba, but
produces only per cent. as much sugar
more citrus fruit land than the United
states and Italy combined, yet pro-
huceS only small fraction of their
output; more pineapple land than
Hawaii, while producing a twentieth
part as much fruit; more fiber and to.
bacco land than the West Indies more
eocoanut land than the Philippines more
eoffee and rubber land than any other
country except Brazil more. banana
land than Central America; moro
Here Mr.. Lewis broke off to say few
words about the work of the American
Chamber of Commerce in Mexico.
I'VE are interested" he said. sir
commercial relations between Mexict
and the United States. and it is oul
duty to extend every effort to increas,
this trade and to establish relations O
confidence and friendship between tn,
people of these countries.
T. 'tMexico's business with the world
that Is her exports and imports, the las
fiscal year was the largest in her history
She imported sS2,000.000 of value las
year. Ten years ago she brought II
$4,000. 900 value less.
United States n National Market
This movement must impress you a
once with the Importance of the Mexi
can market. More so when you conside
that due to the present worlds condi
tons. as well as the proximity Of tn
United States, over 80 per cent of Thu
business was done during the last yea
with the United States.
"Our tremendous field and opportunit.
is plainly indicated. We hope that thi
Chamber OF Commerce may become tn
headquarters of American business in
terests in Mexico. We propose to rende
a service to Mexico and the Unite
States. TO the public and to our mem
bers, a service so efficient, valuable an
accurate that manufacturers, importer
and exporters will naturally Deepen
upon us for the assistance and infor
nation which they require and whic
we, with our special facilities. will hav
ready for them
''The commercial service which W
render will include information regard
ing the industries products and neces
stiles OF this country; efforts to collec
and distribute information given out b
the Governments generally; aid to manu-
facturers Ia the United States in securin
Mexican raw materials: help 70
producers and exporters in Mexico (
secure an advantageous market in tn
United States for what they have I
sell sand to aid Cur manufacturers an
exporters In the United States to secur
reliable representatives In this country.
TT is the aim also to clarity and ou
line commercial policies and subml
them to our members for consideratio
ana to cooperate with the other Chan
bers OF Commerce of this country and {
the United States in all questions fallin
within the province Of the Chamber.
I'VE offer facilities to strangers 1
Mexico and to the Mexican and oths
merchants, and our members, putting 9
their disposition reference books an
trade information in general.
We want our friends in this countr.
of all nationalitles, to feel free to CON
TO US in regard to all matters relatin
TO American business. We will hel
them cheerfully without imposing an
obligation.
"From what have said you have a
ready inferred some of the things whic
this Chamber expects to avoid. We
not propose TO occupy ourselves wi,
political questions at home or ab<Sa
our slogan being strictly business only
Moreover, we are not established to d
rectly advance the personal interests
any Individual
1--WE are concerned with renderir
service IN the form of information
the Individual; we propose to supply a
the elements in our power to permit hi
tn successfully carry out his project
on the basis of his own initiative"