The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-06-09
SPANISH SPEAKER
BEST AS SALESMAN
So Holds Writer, Taking Issue
With Mr.. Preciado.

Editor Of the Latin american Section
OF THE SuN-Sir: Mr.. Preciado's state
ment advanced in one OF his most re-
cent articles printed in your splendid
south American section as to the greater
efficiency for business ends IN Latin
America of an English speaking good
salesman ignorant of the Spanish lam
guage when compared to bad sales
man wholly conversant with It, reminds
me OF the old observation, namely, that
you can prove anything on the field OF
metaphysics. provided, of course that
your premises and conclusions are all
nicely laid out to suit your own strong
inctinations and those of your willing
listeners.
While I am not yet ready to accept
without few misgivlngs Mr.. Preciadps
opinion as to the superiority OF a nom
Spanish speaking good salesman to a
Latin American OF the same ability, still
] would PROFOUND him this query, made
In all seriousness OF purpose. viz. What
about a thoroughly educated Spanish
man for a similar object who knows
how TO dispose OF goods in his own
section OF the globe, and who by his
Intellectual culture and temperament
can easily persuade the merchants OF
his own race Of that which would be
almost Impossible to do to foreigners
even IL they belong to the class called
"simpaticos' by the gentleman?
Further. / would ask Mr.. Preciado
whether or not II should not be easier for
an educated man whose mother tongue
s Spanish to become acquainted with the
innermost details OF a special line of
goods in the barters OF the Latin Ameri-
lean trade than for an experienced nom
Spanish speaking seller to master a for
eign lexicon to such a perfection that he
Conid n hfa uUaIIld-hA Qlfanf Uyifh
we'll chosen phrases to the point Of buy.
ing outright that which Is proffered 10
him for a debatable price? I venture to
assert that II would not only be easier, but
that II could be done by the average In
telligent man In less time and with better
results. Moreover, 1t cannot be gainsaid
that. next 10 the engaging qualities OF
an article OF trade, convincing argument
Is the best asset that a good seller can
have in Latin America, where person.
slity counts so much and where mum
but outwardly "sinpatico" non-Spanish-
speaking man would only provoke mlrth
with simlan antics In default OF Ian
Guage.
1t is as hard, Mr.. Editor. to get away
from the convictioD-as set forth by MT
Preeiado ia mis- ariicie--thRt nat failure
viii only wait any and all men Of Latin
American blood sent by American houses
as pioneers to that section Of the West
ern Hemisphere az 1t would be TO reach
any other conclusion from all that which
we have read since the beginning OF tho
European war, four years ago, that the
Kaiser started II with the idea OF con-
ouerinE the world. And II such has been
the aim Of the writer Of the article In
question. ! beg 20 differ not as a man
connected with the noble profession Of
spreading the gospel OF American goods
In Latin America but as member OF
the race Interested in the SUCCESS OF the
commercial and spiritual fntercourse OF
the three Americas. I consider 1t as un-
fortunate that the impression conveyed
TO the American mind by Mr.. PreciAdo's
article should be detrimental 70 the full
development OF such rslAtionA and am