Evening star., 1919-11-30
"GET THE SENTIMENT" IN TRADE

- SAN AAS
instructions attached is drastic. permit
ting An attachment within twenty
four hours of non-payment OF such
draft
1t seems needless to say that the
export departments Of American firms
should realize that per-
Social sonal and social contact
is of great Importance in
o1'' obtaining Latin American
business. and tactful methods of cor
respondence and negotiation mean
great deal toward obtaining practical
results. That there is a growing mar
ket for American commerce in Mexico
is testified by consular agents and
trade commissioners. Consul w. L.
Chapman at Mazatlan points out an
important consideration in the matter
of agriculture. In Sinaloa larger
amount of American farming machin-
cry, including disc plows and culti-
vators and some tractors, is being i'm
ported than has ever been known be-
fore. Not only does this condition per-
tain to American interests. but to ma
tive agricultural interests as well.
The fact that no import duties are
assessed on farming machinery has a
wholesome effect upon agriculture.
American interests continue to remain
far in the lead in the mining industry
also American mine machinery is al
most exclusively in demand. Through
judicious personal dealing with these
industries the manufacturers in the
United States can remain in control of
this important business.
Machinery of all sorts is being used
more extensively in Mexico. For ex-
ample, an American
Demand for citizen has opened
Machinery. wearing annarel in
Piedras Negras. The present output
consists of overalls. uniforms. shirts
and palm beach suits. Just as soon
as local girl labor can be sufficiently
trained. it is planned to make extensive
expansion of this industry. With this
in mind. the bureau of foreign and do
mestic commerce advises manufactur-
ev Of overall cloth, khaki cloth. heavy
thread. buttons. suiting and elastic
suspenders to communicate with this
concern. which contemplates Purchas-
ing all of it's supplies from the United
States.
The legal status of branch houses
and agencies in foreign countries is
another matter that should receive
careful study of the concerns in the
United States which contemplate de-
velopment of overseas commerce. On
account of the strategic trade location
OF the Netherlands this question is
particularly pertinent with regard to
that region, which will serve as a
good illustration of why the American
manufacturer and exporter should be
concerned.
tache to the Netherlands legation
here, w h o
Corporation Laws prev i ous1y
in the Netherlands. men, " a. IN the m
active practice Of law in the Neither
lands, explains the situation BY a
fundamental principle Of Dutch law
aliens in the Netherlands have in gen.
eral the same civil rights as Dutch
nationals. Accordingly. foreign firms,
corporations or individuals may open
and conduct business in the Neither
lands either directly or through an
agency or branch office. Foreign cor
to their internal organization and to
the rights and duties of the members
according to the law OF the country
or state where they are established.
An unincorporated partne rship will
have the rightato appear in court un-
partners are individually responsible
for their actions and are totally liable
as individuals for their obligations.
unless their partnership agreement,
limiting the capacity of each partner
to act separately and the responsibility
Dutch court. in accordance with the
provisions Of the commercial code.
By a new trade registration law an.
proved in July. 1918, all business
houses, native or
Notice Of Opening foreign, are re-
T. R.or;r>a quired to register
with the local
chamber of commerce wherever they
may open up an Office or factory. A
detailed statement, including amount
Of capital. shareholders, ETC., is re-
quired. A person. firm or corporation
opening an Office for the personal
execution of business for longer than
ninety days must pay for the main
office the amount of the yearly com.
munal taxes. which range from to 6
per cent of his gross income. In addt-
tion, there is the national income tax.
which averages about per cent on an
annual business Of about $4,000 and &
per cent on an annual business of
about $4,000. The war profits tax has
applied on all increases in American
nrms contemplating opening branch
offices. granting an agency, Starting a
plant or organizing an independent
concern. should Seek competent advice
from Dutch lawyer versed in com
mercial practice. Such advice can be
nad free OF charge at the royal
ProbabiH ths legation hao1 in Washngton
this time applying generally to most
OF the nations of the world is for
American made farm machinery
There is a tremendous demand for
such implements to open up larger
areas to cultivation. The Dunfermiine e
dlstfict of Scotland may be cited as
an illustration. Consul Howard D.
Van SAINT reports that the farmers
were guaranteed fixed prices for their
produce by the government, and as
the result Of extensive cultivation
record crops were grown. with very
satisfactory results to the farmers
financially. The farmers have come to
see the necessity Of having the best
labor saving devices and have re-
Gently been using motor tractors and
other American implements. There