Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-07-20
w. DAYTON SHELLY
On Eorejun Trade

L1OREIGN trade holds out great CONNER
l. cial possibilities to the manufacturing
establishments of the United States, says
w. Dayton Shelly, one of Philadelphia 5
experts in the domain of the export business
OF the country. IL is growing constantly
and he believes it will be held successfully.
even with European competition restored to
normal.
=, The foreign trade of the country" says
Mr. Smelly, has, in common with most
other things connected with business, suf-
fered decided slump recently. Ncverthe-
less. there are some countries and sections
which would seem pre- -eminently to be
places OF wonderful opportunity for the
American manufacturer.
Mexico's Reckoning Hand
AT the present time probably Mexico
presents the most promising field, and next
to that country come Canada, South Amer
icn and Australia
Ing field and where the potentiaites are
positively staggering is China. The recent
development of China and the growth o.
Western customs there arc astonishing. The
same may also be said in u lesser degree,
due chiefly. to it's smaller population, Of
Japan. We know from the reports Of our
own agents and the photographs which they
send us that some Of the stores in the
inner and smaller cities and even towns of
Japan are such as in appearance at least
compare favorably with the small city stores
OF our own country.
Advantages Of Foreign Trade
The foreign trade of any country has
many advantages to the nation which holds
it, In the case of the United States. IL il
positive necessity because the production
of this country is greater than the domestic
consumption OF it's products. Therefore, in
order to keep production at high level and
TO keep our industries going constantly,
without the shut-do which are alike
disastrous to men and to manufacturers, VIC
must have big foreign trade.
Even during the war. when anything
could be sold, our production was about
% per cent greater than our domestic con
sumption and naturally, with this artificial
and stimulated consumption eliminated, the
proportion will be considered greater. The
possibilities of the dreaded duh times for
every one. farmer. manufacturer. mechanic
workman and all of us, are greatly lesscned
by the possession OF good foreign trade
The advantage of foreign trade to the sea
sonul trades Is also great. because in many
foreign countries the trade seasons coincide
with our own.
Some Trade Errors
During the war, as ] have said il was
easy to sell almost any kind of merchandise
and it is undoubtedly true that lot of
American manufacturers lost n considerable
amount Of money BY entering the foreign
field without any, or nj least q sufficient
basic knowledge Of the demands OF that
trade. When the slump came they naturally
felt it first.
But notwithstanding this, the situatio,
will probably work out to the ultimate ad :
vantage of all concerned. for it will leave
this complicated field free for those who
have the equipment, mental and mechanical
to do 1t to the best advantage.
Invested Capital and Trade
"In foreign trade there is one important
point frequently overlooked and that is the
relation of procuring business IN foreign
countries, to the procuring Of capital In the
selling country for the development of the
buyinr country.
Naturally a country whose bankers and
great investors put money into the public
utilities municipal improvements and Gov
crnment loans Of another country Is in q
far more favorable position to get business
80 invested. This, believe, is one Of tho
chief reasons why England and Germany
we're able to build up such enormous foreigp
trade before the war. Therefore, American
investment in foreign fields Is decidedly
beneficial to our foreign trade possibilities
THE opportunities for doing greaI
volume of business in manufactured product.
in Continental Europe at the present tim,
is unauestionably limited. but II ~ BY n,
means hopeless. There Is no doubt In m,
mind that the business concerns. which a
| the present time have the foresight to Ia,
| The foundations for future business In thu
field will reap vast results within the mex
| Ave or ten years.
How to Get Foreign Trade
''Thcrc are several methods Of sccurin
| foreign trade. hut the one which has al
! WAYS brought the best results Is to hny
| direct representation In the country whsr
the trade is TO be built up. When n =
! possible, it is best to get a nsiiys of tbs
2,