Evening star., 1919-12-28
M0RTGAGING THE NEW MARKETS

war a national sample fair was held
in Basel. in which American concerns
were represented and which was at
tended largely by Switzerland pro-
ducers and to which French. German.
Italian and other buyers came In con-
siderable numbers. It is now pro-
cultural fair in Fribourg from July
to October. 1890. and American ex-
porters dealing in articles connected
with agricultural implements and sad
dlery should find particular ,oppor-
tunity.
French and Belgian manufacturers
have recently thought it worth while
to hold sample fairs at Basel. and the
fourth Swiss sample fair on a larger
scale than any hitherto attempted will
be held in that city from April Is to
20. 1920. Lucerne has also recently
ket for the exposition and sale of
furs and hides somewhat on the lines
OF the Leipzig fur fair. The expert
ment on a small scale has warranted
repetition on an extensive scale.
Switzerland is well deserving of
study as possible European cross
roads Of trade as well
Cross-Roads as Of tourist travel and
NJ international haven of
w neutrality. The status
of trade between the United States
and Switzerland has been abnormal
since the beginning of the European
war, according to survey and re-
port just made by Consul General L.
]. Keena at Zurich. In the past Swift
zerland has been dominated in trade
largely by Germany, and Switzerland
is now awakened as never before to
the economic danger in such situa-
tion and is eager to throw of this
yoke.
Germany has been Switzerland's
main source of supply for coal, iron
and steel. all of which are now being
purchased from the United States.
If there is any tax placed by
goods from Germans it will undoubt-
edly not affect these articles, but as.
under the terms of the peace treaty,
Germany will be deprived of much of
it's surplus of these products those i'm
ports should be drawn largely from
the United States for some years to
come. Our principal competitor in the
supplying of coal, metals and also cot
ton to Switzerland will be Great Brit
ain. which geographically has a some
what better position for handling
Swiss trade than the United States, al
though not having available as native
production SO great a quantity of any
of these necessities.
-.
Here is a striking example of how
the financial institution stimulates
trade. To assist Brit
Rr;+;eh Troda ish trade in general
IvS
enterprise. branch of the Lloyd's
bank was recently established in Zu-
rich. British exports to Switzerland
are also facilitated at present by oe-
probation Of the pound sterling. Inc
result has been that during the past
six months British wares Of every de-
scriptfon which have been short
stocked in Switzerland throughout the
war have appeared In quantity in the
Swiss market.
American goods are handicapped in
this international competition oy TWO
temporary and one permanent factor.
The first temporary factor Is the
premium on the dollar, approximat-
ing s per cent, which means serious
increase in price to the Swiss impor-
ter on either raw materials or manu-
factured goods, which have to meet
the competition on goods originating
in other markets. The second tenn
merous changes in market price OF
goods in the United States.
Complaint has been made to Ameri-
can government oficfals OF number
OF cases where it has been impossible
to receive and accept quotations be-
fore a new advance in price has
been made and a new quotation for
warded for acceptance. .-.i d.
-.
The permanent factor is the geo.
graphical position Of the United
States in relation to
Geographical Switzerland which en-
nJ:.. tails greater delay In
dano1cap. receiving goods and
heavier freight rates than would be
cbargeable on commodities coming
from adjacent or neighboring coun-
tries. To Offset this factor, we will
need good commercial organizations.
the best Of banking facilities and
available space on steamers for ma
terial and goods consigned to Swift
zerland.
It does not appear to be possible
to forecast what types or kinds of
American manufactured products
could be marketed in or through
Switzerland. In general it can be
said that q market exists in that
country for practically all American
manufactured products which can be
competitively sold in the British
Isles or any European country, with
the exception of mining machinery,
parts and gears, for ocean-gotng
ships. The competition to be met in
Switzerland will be substantially the
same as in other European countries,
and the Swiss import tariff is not
commercial barrier.
Switzerland illustrates one phase OF
the Notwithstanding opportunity
for American fnanciers,
Chances in manufacturers and ex-
porters working for
0yIi@ mutual interest and the
glory Of American business. The de-
velopment Of American trade in Syria
is another phase Now that Germany
and Austria have not yet resumed
their commercial relations with Syria
and other European countries are
suffering from economic conditions
and consequently offering their ar
ticles at much advanced prices. Syrian
importers are turning toward the
United States for the supply Of their
needs. However. until the political