The sun., 1919-02-24
PARCEL POST TO AID
FOREIGN COMMERCE
Expansion Of Service Will Be-
gin With Cuba and South
America.
KEEN COMPETITION is ON
British Enjoy Advantages I'm
der Their System With
Colonies.

The Postmaster-Gen in Washing
ton will announce shortly an extension
OF our international parcel post service
10 new countries as we'll as the estab-
lishment Of additional facilities, It was
learned yesterday. This expansion 10
TO have particular reference TO Cuba
and South American countries. Tho In
strument of the international parcel post
ia declared to be "the most necessary
and yet the most neglected aid to tho
development Of export and import trade"
The action Of the Post once Depart
ment when II reaches the stage Of an
official announcement will be the result
of a conference held about ten days ago
in washington. At that time various
committees presented specific recon-
mendations, Of which a number have
been accepted by the Post once De-
partment.
These suggestions included extension
OF service to countries which can be
reached now only through an inter-
mediary country, with the agreement
OF this country to act as intermediary
for other nations; addition of such IA
cilities in international parcel post as
C. o. d. service. insurance. registration.
increase Of weight limit customs dec
larations and money order and banking
customs and other restrictions in foreign
countries affecting the American parcel
post
Intense Competition Begun.
The conference in Washington was
called by the Second Assistant Post
master-General, and one OF the principal
speakers. was Frederic w. Keogh of the
National Association of Manufacturers.
who said that the improvement in the
International parcel post represents a
readjustment problem that will never
be solved by inaction. He continued:
IAN intense competition for the sale
Of goods has already begun. The i'm
porting merchant, copartner of the ex-
porting manufacturer. wants goods,
wants especially samples. The foreign
buyer expects to get from America, as
he does get at least from Great Britain,
In answer to specific requests and en-
treaties not a chromatic projection of
the trade winds but a stock of sales
producing samples.
THE accomplishment OF parcel post
arrangements that will put us on an
equal merchandising footing with other
nations Is no longer a matter of mild
academic curiosity.
Quick. accurate, effective contact and
understanding between buyers and SELL
demonstration that this nation is awake
to the circumstance that its providen-
tial success to date in foreign commerce
implies no guarantee for the future !;
that other nations are leaving nothing
to chance but by every possible official
and individual effort are cultlvating the
interest and support of the buyers Of
the world. This is the time by such
instrumentality as an enlarged inter-
national parcel post to show tho good
will Of the United States.
with the stage set for the fercest
trade competition the world ever knew
decorative, aesthetic trade considera-
tions will vanish. The delicate senti-
mentalities that bloomed in the night
OF the worlds shadowing will wilt in
the monday sun OF the struggle for
trade supremacy. Manufacturers and
merchants have no illusions as to the
permanence of determinations condi-
toned by financial considerations. They
know that IL they do not meet require
ments traders of other nations will :
and no matter how much the other ma
lions love US they will not hesitate to
take our places In any trade relations.
Demand Better Parcel Post.
American manufacturers, with the
exception of a few who market such
commodities as steam boilers or looms
unite IN the demand for a better inter-
national parcel post. They want a new
order that will include for the United
States all the nations of the world a
liberal weight allowance graduated
charges instead Of a Nat rate: all de.
lively charges abolished; an insurance
feature that will accentuate responsible.
ity; c. o. d. arrangement to secure
payment when there is no way of secur-
~ draf
Every appeal to American manufac.
turers and merchants to bestir them
selves to share in the tremendous re.
wards of the new commercial era in.
eludes In its corollaries the question Of
bringing parcel post merchandising tc
the plano of practical utility"
The Post Office Department, II Ia un.
dsrstood, has directed It's attention prima
rily to two unfair conditions. which ma,
be illustrated by a comparison OF the
British parcel post with our own and by
the Cuban situation. England In the Brit
ish Postal Guide lists 1876 countries, col.
onies. or other overseas nations OF
groups as open to her exporters fol
shipment by parcel post. The United
States lists eighty-six such countries anc
groups, so that for purposes of compari.
son the exporter of England can ship hi,
wares by parcel post to 100 more coun.
tries OF the earth than can the American
exporter.
BY reason OF her parcel post with tn.
United States, without any further &C
ton, England's exporters can and ma,
chip to all of orr outlying possessions
that Is to say, forto Rico, Canal Zone
Hawaii. Philippine Islands. Alaska, &c
while on the other hand our Post Office
Department has only opened to us sucf
British colonies as have entered int
specific parcel post treaties with us.
The manufacturers pertinently ask
"If England. by virtue OF her treaty witt
US, is entitled TO all rights and privilege,
OF dealing with our possessions and colo.
mics. why should not we also, by virtu,
OF Our parcel post treaty with Great
Britain, have access to all of her colo
ries as well?'
British Colonial system.
Here Is another element of the situa
ton. British colonies. which have M
parcel post with this country and Il
which our Government has provided M
way for our sending parcels through tn,
malls from America, may yet, on tn,
other hand. send their parcels to III,
United States through the English post