New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-07-10

The bulk of Mexico's export trade
consists of metals (silver, gold, copper,
and lead), cattle (driven into the United
States especially for safety, raw ma
terials and agricultural products,
writes Consul Cornelius Ferry jr. to
the Department of Commerce. The
most important manufactured products,
besides metals, are sugar and cotton
goods. Cotton goods are exported to
the United States in bond for trans
shipment to other countries, especially
to South America. The important raw
materials exported are crude petroleum,
tlbers (henequin, ixtle and cotton into,
hides, chicle, coffee and vanilla
Practically all of the exports of Mexico
go to the United States
Following the armistice in November,
1918, there was great activity in i'm
ports of goods to replenish stocks which
had been depleted by war-trade re-
strictions. Quantities purchased, how
ever, were limited to immediate de-
mands as falling prices were antici-
pated- During 1919 imports were
steady, but seldom exceeded the i'm
mediate demands of the market. There
was little disposition to restock, as
prices remained high. while the pur-
chasing power of the people remained
low.
Early in 1920 importers anticipated
a stronger purchasing power as the
mines throughout the country were in
full operation and the return to agri-
cultural pursuits was general. The
only check on the import trade was the
inability of American manufacturers to
deliver goods and insufficient transport
tation facilities.
Most Imports From United States
BY far the greater portion of imports
came from the United States. but the
resumption of trade relations with Eu-
rope Immediately resulted in the ar
pearance Of European statesmen and
connections with former markets. Great
quantities of dolls from Dresden
flooded the market in time for Christ
mas; also aluminium kitchenware from
Germany. But these were from ac-
cumulations Of German goods in Euro
pean ports which had been stopped in
transit by the war. They did not repre-
sent new industry in Germany nor a
present ability to compete with Ameri-
can goods.
1t IS believed that very little mer-
chandise recently imported from Ger
many IS the product OF postwar in
dustry. The most important German
firms in Mexico are dealers in hard
ware, and these continue to import
heavily from the United States. A
conspicuous instance of competition
with postwar German industry is in
the line of electrical equipment, which
is gaining foothcld by means Of lower
prices and liberal terms of payment.
American Products Undersoid
An important Instance of successful
German competition in Mexico is in
the paper trade. lr stationery. print
paper and wall paper Gall of the best
quality) their prices are lower than
any other source of supply including
domestic manufacturers. This is the
product of postwar industrial activity.
Other lines of imports which compete
successfully with American goods are
toilet articles (chiefy perfumerv) :,
cheap jewelry, and soap from France
and textiles from England
The most important export trade 10
Mexico is carried on by houses which
have representatives residing in Mex
leo City or which have business
houses established here carving
stocks of goods. Statesmen from
abroad also visit this country and APP
point local hVses to represent their