The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-03-18
CLARKE SAYS FRANCE
WILL. BUILD UP SOON

WILL UUIIU " UUUU
Many OF the questions that have
confronted American manufacturers
interested in developing An export
trade with France are apparently an
swered BY J. II. Clarke, an American
who has lust arrived in New YORK
after more than ten years commercial
experiences in France. Prior TO tive
outbreak Of the European war, mr.:
-+tss,.~S 4 - - -. ~y'"it;nz the Anue9
sta.ssS With the object OF prIHft''AS
about closer trade relations between
French and American manufacturers
was In charge of the Paris sales de-
partlnent of a large American automo-
bile concern. He has had wide expert
ence in import and export trade ana.
when seen yesterday at the OFFICES OF
the American Manufacturers Export
association, ne consented to outline
briefly industrial conditions In France
and the outlook for the sale OF Ameri-
can products in that country.
In the light of the general impress
sion In EXPORT circles here to the con-
trary. IL is interesting to note Mr..
Clarke's statement that the French
neople are well able to pay Tor amer
lean or other merchandise and that ~
is only the question of arranging 10
get goods from this country INTO
France under present circumstances
that should receive the attention OF
American exporters
"It is quite true" Mr.. Clarke said.
that the French government is faced
with a large debt. but the same is true
of all the nations that participated In
the world war. This does not Indicate
however. that the French people which
comprise the buying public are imam
cially burdened to the extent OF not
being able to purchase goods that are
now in great demand. Quite the con-
trary is true"
Mr.. Clarke then went on to say that.
whereas before the war the general
Impression prevailed in France that
American exports comprised cheap
grade of merchandise due to quantity
production. this idea. gained through
lack of knowledge of American goods,
has completely changed and now the
preference Is given to merchandise
made In the United states.
The speaker is emphasizing the great
demand in France for every conceiv-
able article told how merchants have
been running on low stocks during the
past several years and how reserve
stocks were absolutely depicted. Con
tinuing he said:
while this great demand exists
among the wholesaler and the con-
sumer both of whom would not ques-
tion the sources of supply in view of
the demand. providing 1t was not of
German origin. the government has
very properly seen ft to protect the
French manufacturer by means OF i'm
posing import restrictions. French in
dustrles must be protected against
heavy foreign Importation for some
time otherwise French manufacturers
would never be able to regain the po
sition they held prior to the war.
This does not mean. however. that
American manufacturers are unable to
send their products to France. While
II is safe to say that these import re-
strictions will not be materially modi
fed for at least another year, export
ers In this country can do business
with France.
II would suggest. in view OF pres
ent circumstances. that an effort be
made by American manufacturers 10
make arrangement with Frenc II
houses that have sales organizations
perfected to handle this business. II
is difficult II not almost impossible.
for the average exporter to attempt
to create his own selling organization
in France at the present time and the
proper and profitable thing to do is
to get a representative firm in France
agent. To illustrate what 7 mean and
to show that this IL possible. might
say that ] have been authorized by
more than nifty French firms, OF UNI
questionable commercial standing. TO
conclude some such arrangement with
American manufacturers. These French
firms are in a position to seil Ameri-
can products in France They are
also In an advantageous position TO
facilitate the shipment OF goods from
America to France"
In conclusion, Mr.. Clarke predicted
that within Ave years the trade balance
which is now against France would he
levelled TO such an extent that French.
exports would exceed imports. Re-
ferring to imports from France Mr.
Clarke agreed with the general opinion
that French manufacturers would he
unable. for some time to come to meet
the demand in this country for French
products. He said that trip through
.sse la-ge department stores in the
country clearly indicated that France
had been out of the American market
for several years.