New-York tribune., 1919-05-05
Jewellers Plan
Campaign for
Foreign Trade
First Efforts To Be Centred
OH South America; Ex-
pert, just Back, Tells
How to Sell Goods There

Plans are being formulated for the
inauguration of cooperative cam
najgn for foreign business by The
American jewelry industry, with initial
efforts being centred upon South
American trade. ). w. Rosenthal, who
has lust returned from a two-year trip
through Latin American countries
where he investigated conditions IN
the iewelrv and silverware trades, last
week made his preliminary report to
eth National Jewellers Board of Trade.
Following the reading Of this re-
mort it was announced by Fred u
Backus. secretary Of the board. that
preparations are being made for
series of meetings of the jewelry trade
here and probably IN other cities' at
which Mr.. Rosenthal will describe con-
ditions in the countries he visited ana
make suggestions as to the methods to
be followed in going after business
there. ,,nD,
of Trade hopes to have 1ull eXnlOi-
ton of samples of South American
jewelry, together with photographs
and catalogues of European houses.
Mr. Rosenthal said Saturday that
Latin America presents an excellent
field for iewelry and silverware manu-
facturers interested in extending their
trade, as there is general prosperity
in the twenty-one republics which
comprise it. This prosperity, he said,
is mainly the result of the high prices
which they have been receiving for
their native product.
Stocks Nearly Exhausted
In normal times these markets have
been supplied with jewelry and silver
ware by Europe, largely by Germany,
but during the last four years very
little has been shipped by France ana
England and nothing by Germany.
Stocks are therefore practically eX-
hausted and the South American jew
eller is looking for sources where he
can replenish his stock. On account
of the war German manufacturers have
lost the good will of this trade, while
American manufacturers have gained it.
Latin Americans are fastidious dress
ers, are fond of jewelry and lavish in
their expenditures for it. Much more
jewelry is worn in these countries than
in the United States.
Mr.. Rosenthal said there are several
advantages in having an export trade,
but that the most important of these
is the fact that it helps to stabilize
business, for while there may he
commercial depression in one country
it is likely that prosperity will prevail
in others. While government agents
can indicate where additional trade
may be obtained and how American
manufacturers should go about getting
it, the government cannot transact the
business; the manufacturers must do
that for themselves. In discussing
conditions he said:
Some American jewelry fills the re-
quirements of South American mar
kets, but as rule the merchandise
sold there is different in design,
quality and finish. The demand is for
European styles. which is natural, as
the prevailing population is of Euro
pean origin and jewelry has been
mainly imported from there. In all
South American countries 18-karat
gold is regarded as the standard and
the better class Of trade insists on OBJ /
tanning this grade.
Ways of Selling Goods
"At present the trade can practically
be had for the asking, and it's squarelv /
up to our manufacturers to make the /
best of this opportunity, for once the /
trade renews it's for
mer connections in Europe it will prob
soiy be much more difficult for our
hrms to break in. The impression
should not be obtained that the for