Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-08-24
U. S. SAILS OYER SEVEN SEAS

and its people q standing which was
not possessed before. American
goods have been tried and found
s serns a,t and not too expensive by
comparison. Numerous mercantile
houses have been formed in Copen-
nagen: Consul Agerton reports, with
no otner purpose than that of es-
taonening American connections and
handling American goods in the Bal
tic region.
So Denmark offers an outstanding
opportunity to American trade. Ger
many at present is not a competitor.
ana that would assure the United
states a good start. The vacancy
ieft by Germany's previously great
srade can be filled by some other
country-and preferably the United
states. The good will now existing
in Scandinavia toward American
products is an asset of incalculable
value.
These considerations. however, Con-
sui Agerton warns. should not cause
the man who expects
Experienced to do business in
1r.l Scandinavia to iE-
A""''' more the fact that
Scandinavia is not SO anxious for
American goods that it can be ex-
plotted or charged exorbitant prices.
Its merchants are experienced and
shrewd in international trade. Just
at present the merchants are not
making many new purchases. They
have large quantities of goods in
America and England already bought
and paid for. They prefer to get de-
livery OF these goods before entering
upon a new purchasing campaign.
The lack of tonnage from the United
States is one of the chief hindrances
to to the sale Of American goods through
the port OF Copenhagen at the pres
emit time This problem is one of
tremendous Importance for those
who are planning extension of Amer
lean trade in Scandinavia, and its
proper solution at an early date will
be very helpful and of permanent
beneht to American commerce and to
American commercial independence
from enemies in the world war.
Besides the general policy of devel-
oping commerce through Copenhagen,
the problem of how a particular
American firm can reach a Danish
provincial district like Odense SO that
tinued sale and mutual satisfaction be
assured is also being studied by agents
Of the United States government for
the benefit Of American business in
terests. A valuable report on this mat
ter has just been made by Consul
Maurice P. Dunlap.
Two American business concerns
one dealing in sewing machines and
the other in shoes
Competing With have already
~. n. worked out an an
wa e' swer. Both OF
these enterprises have had a ware
house with a stock of goods always
ready for delivery in Copenhagen. In
addition. the shoe firm has had a pro-
vincial depot and the sewing machine
hrm a depot in all the large principal
cities. Both firms have carried on q
successful competition with German
wares when Germany was able to pro-
duce fairly good article for smaller
prices.
A warehouse in Copenhagen. with
perhaps q branch in Odense. from
which goods could be delivered with
out delay after the placing Of the
order, would help q large institution
to get q strong foothold. An Ameri-
can of Scandinavian origin seems the
most suitable agent to be in charge
Of such an enterprise. This applies,
Of course, only to goods which might
be sold on large scale or to a combi-
nation of smaller concerns to use a
common warehouse.
Among the manufacturers from the
United States for which 1t would
seem that the Odense provfnciaT dis
trict offers a promising market are
automobiles. agricultural machinery,
cotton and cotton cloth. dyestuffs, fer
tilizers. Office supplies, shoes, silks,
tobacco, underwear and wool and
wooden goods. American woods. will
find strong competitor in the Eng
lish woods, which have won consider
able favor because of their soft
quality. In shoes and certain other
goods 1t may be said that a higher
standard of living has now increased
the chances for an article of better
quality.
Detailed American handbooks for the