Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-07-20


4
Recently some of the Weather
Abyssinians have been investigating
in commercial
Three Countries undert kings
in Competition. inv an ;nclina-
ton to make systematic and bust
nesslike arrangements to market the
produce of the districts they control
This is creating local interest and
is a most favorable awakening infiu-
ence in the prospective commercial
and economic development of that coun-
try.
Consul Southland points out that
commercial influence in Abyssinia is
theoretically in the hands of the
three European nations which con-
troll the political divisions surround
ing it. All commerce has an equal
chance through the English and
French spheres OF influence, but
through the Italian-controlled terri
tory goods Of that nationality have
preferential duties. The American
considering this field will note with
interest that nations allied with the
|, United States in the world war sur
round this trade opportunity and so
access should be on more friendly
rient of way.
Through Kritrea the bulk of i'm
ported merchandise is naturally 1tal-
ian: through the Sudan the bulk is of
British origin; but through Jibuti
and British Somaliland, supplied
principally by Alden. pass most of the
American goods which reach the
Abyssinian market. During the war
Japan has been able to enter the
Abyssinian market by way of Jibuti.
principally on account of the inabil-
ity Of Europe and America to send
their usual supplies of merchandise.
The members of the Abyssinian
mission, now in this country, are
proud of the fact that
Mission their commerce is not
N. u dominated by any ma
ton. They admit
that the general disposition to hold
aloof from foreigners is friendly to
the commercial progress of Ameri-
cans. because of the absence of any
direct political interest by the United
States government in Abyssinia-and
the very fact that this is a political
mission is evidence that they want
the United States to take a political
as well as commercial interest in
them and their future.
The United States has a commercial
treaty with Abyssnia, ratified in
This treaty has the moSt-favored-n
ton clause. and enables American
citizens to transact business in Abys
sinia on equal terms with the ma
tionals of any other country.
American goods start with a de-
cided advantage, previously referred
to, because American
An American unbleached o t o n
., goods are known in
pra i cally every
part of the country, and these goods
| have been so we'll established as to
constitute a medium of exchange
they are as coin of the realm" In
recent years the fate of American
cottons in this market has been left
to the efforts principally of Alden
merchants. who manipulate that trade
to their own advantage. This empha-
sizes the need for a direct American
representation in that market as well
as in other world markets, particu-
larly where this country comes into
direct competition with Germany or
Japan. The loyalty of the Abyssini-
ans to "Amerieani', is attested by
the fact that, owing to the recent
high prices for American cottons, the
Alden merchants have been exploiting
Japanese and Indian goods, but with
little success.
4
! Among the manufactured goods for
which there is the largest potential
market are hardware of
Apencies all sorts. soap. kerosene
hats and blankets.
Neeueu' The best advice that
Consul Southland can give to Ameri-
can manufacturers and exporters is
that they must realize the necessity
for taking a direct part in extending
their interests in this very promis-
ing market. American agencies should
be established. This is particularly
necessary because a thorough investi-
cation and special study of condf-
tons in this newly opened-up coun-
try are more necessary probably than
in any other country in the entire
spread of commerce. Direct and re-
sponsible representatives of large
American exporters and importers
would find the investment field a
profitable side line, because Ameri-
can contractors would be interested
in an opportunity to participate in
public improvements, such as roads,