Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1921-01-02
SHUN FOREIGN TRADE MIDDLEMAN

240 per cent from 1914 to 1919, from
$30, 900, 900 in 1914 to $4,000. 600 in
1919. The displacement Of Germany and
also. in part, of England and France
in the Spanish market largely explains
this great favorable American trade
growth: according to Trade Commits
sioner Arthur Young.
Spain. like the United States.
changed from a debtor to a creditor
nation as result of the war, he
points out in a report to the bureau
of foreign and domestic commerce
The geographical position of the coun-
try and its great natural wealth
made possible the supplying of the
war needs of the belligerents on an
important scale. The total trade ball
ance in favor Of Spain from the be-
ginning OF the war to the close Of
at normal par Of exchange. This
strengthened the financial situation in
the country in remarkable manner
1t Is striking fact that Spain grant
Cd an amazfngiy large credit to the
United States, about two-thirds of
which was actually utilized.
The meagerness of economic infor.
nation about Spain available to Amer
lean interests has not
Seeking Facts been in keeping with
80. ST. the growing impor-
w Sp0' lance of that coun-
was specially deputed to fill this gap
in the Information service of the fed
eral bureau of foreign and domestic
commerce. This study included the
principal features of the financial sys-
tenn OF Spain. with special reference
to the effects OF the war upon the
economic activities Of the country.
Particular attention is also given to
the growth of more direct CONNER
cial and financial relations with the
United States. The policies adopted
by the principal European countries
to the establishment of branch banks.
the granting Of credit. the promoting
of trade and the Investment Of capt.
tai are likewise featured in the re-
port.
Because it is today universally rec
ognized that trade follows the ad"
in foreign as we'll as domestic trade,
the investigation of advertising meth
DDS in vafiouS parts of the world has
been made a leading feature of the
work of the trade commissioners sent
into the world markets by Uncle
Sam. Trade Commissioner ]. w.
Sanger. after completing an investi-
CATION of advertising methods in
South America. Immediately prepared
for a similar study of conditions in
the far east. which is believed to De
the greatest future. market for this
country. Mr.. Sanger arrived in Japan
in October and made a careful sur
vey Of that country with respect to
the means employed In popularizing
merchandise. He then proceeded to
the Philippine Islands. where he was
able to finish his work in very short
time and to sail for China sooner
than had been expected. Mr. Sanger
had completed about one-thlrd or ms
investigation in China by the close
of the fiscal year.
Other special Investigations by the
trade commissioners include markets
for industrial ma
Scope of Special e siI 'ra"'por r.
Investigations. problems. mineral
resources, hides and leather. industrial
conditions and general economic and
commercial Investigations.
Roy S. MacElwee, director OF the
bureau of foregn and domestic COM
merce, has given the House appropria-
tions committee a terse summary of
the need for federal activity in the for
eign markets to protect the interests
Of the American manufacturers and
exporters and beyond that the future
of United States foreign trade. He
said: I'VE are now living in period
when conditions of credit, of purchase
ing power, of exchange. of political
stability, everywhere in the world.
vary almost from day to day. Be
fore the war it was only necessary for
a Arm to check up on a foreign mar
ket through a personal visit of a quail
fled representative every two or three
years. Today it is necessary to check
up every two or three weeks. 1t is
perfectly obvious that only the very
largest firms can afford to keep
enough qualified men abroad to supply
the head Office with information that
will make it possible to plan and to
go ahead with reasonable safety.
With the great mass of American
manufacturing exporters, both the
funds and the men are lacking to
carry on this intensive observation
service for each firm individually. 1t
is therefore distinctly the province of
government activity to do this for
American exporters. This extremely
important function engages the con-
slant and earnest attention of the hui
reau of foreign and domestic COM
merce." WILL =. AGNNGO1s -