Year: 1875

WASHINGTON, August "a 1873


The following extracts from correspondence Just
published


The United States Consul at Bucnos Ayres in letter
TO the Department OF State Eays;-"It is mortifying
fact that while all the leading countries OF Europe are
competing for the trade Of the River Plate the United
States, whose maritime commerce is next 70 that Of
There is doubt that the trade Of this country with
tho United States could be very greatly extended and
made profitable had We proper facilities in the way OF
steamship navigation Tho increasing amounts OF I'M
ports from the United States already showing
. large balance of trade Ia our favor. is
sufficient proof OF demand for American manufactures
by the people of the River Plate while the disposition
othe Argentine Republic to assist in tho establishment
of steam communication between Buenos Ayres and
New York sufficiently evident from the fact that the
Argentine Congress, early 1865 voted subsidy or
$50 900 in gold for eight yearswhich, assured It
never done for any other nation. Besides the increase
of our commerce the passenger traffic would be large
their children to school in the United States bn very
large proportion of European tourists and traders
turning TO their native country, would by way or
change take the route via the United States They do
not do so now account of the delays expense and
difficulties of transhpmcnt at Rio Janeiro."


AUSTRIA


The United States Consul at Vienna, Austria, says:-
''Whe in this Empire the recent military laws are
being steadily enforced augmenting It's defensive
power, il has kept pace with its neighbors In
preparation for war and in the increase of its offensive
armament. While discussing the best methods OF pre-
serving life and promoting prosperity the attention of
the country has suddenly been called to its neglect in
securing the most efficient means of destruction. The
military authorities Of this Empire have convinced
themselves by recent trials that their field artillery
would be comparatively useless in contest with the
superior guns adopted by other armies, and
covcryi for what do internal improvements and
scientific Investigations now profit State If its
artillery insufficient? The inerority of muzze load
ing small arms compared TO breech-loaders was demon
srated in 1885, and compelled this to rearm
its entire force. 1t declined however take American





trials made here preferrng to give contracts TO its
citizens and thus encourage the manufacture in its
country, and great establishment was accordingly
erected at Steyr


'To bring It's field artillery up to the European stand
ard 1t will be necessary for the government to at once
subsidze another mandatory for steel guns However
other industries and manufactures may langush the
great business OF making arms according TO the latest
and most improved pattern fourShes and increases"


CHINA


The United States Consul at Tien .Tsin China says
'Our trade with China in manufactured cotton goods
was considerable and promising, but in time Of
national misfortune that trade passed away others
who secured and still enjoy its benefits by the practice
OF downright, systematic frauds That countless tons
of clay and other authorizations used by English
facturers should be sold to the Chinese cotton with
the and Of counterfeted trade marks evidence OF tho
shifts made by those manufacturers retain control of
trade that does not naturally belong TO them. Not
withsandng the difference in the price of labor in both
countries it seems anomalous that England should
buy cotton of the United States, transport
it across the Atlantic and, when manufactured,
send that cotton, In the shape Of fabrics,
by long and circuitous route TO the consumers in
China, when the same market is so much nearer and
easier of access to the United States where the cotton
originates American manufacturers could certainly
purchase cotton in country the terms Of
fered by English manufacturers: and it would seem
that the higher price for labor paid by the American
manufacturer should be partly, If not wholly, compen-
stated by cheaper transportation direct to China
the Pacific while English goods would have TO bear the
additional cost of transportation the Atlantic and
superuous half of the distance from England around
the Eastern hemisphere to China. If American goods
could avaof cheaper transportation even now, it must
be remembered that they could not at present compete
in China with grossly adultcrated and hence cheaper,
English goods bearing the same trade marks.
GERMANY.


The United States Consul at Frankfort -onhe- -Main
says-"A legislation for the German Empire seems to
proceed slowly and under great difficulties The formal
work of creating the Empire but the work of a
moment The legislative bills having for their object
the establishing of the Empire, seem TO encounter
strenuous opposition from the southern governments
or from parties opposed to the government existing in
other sections Bavaria land in some instances the
other southern governments) claims to be made an
coption, wholly or in part from the operation of many
public measures. Such the with the military
laws, the imperial civil code, the imperial criminal
code, supreme judiciary for the Empire, and many
other similar great measures The consequence is
that nearly all legislation is partial and sectional
Even now, when it had been supposed that the
new coinage of the Empire was to be universal and
thacr and guder TO be heard Of no more Bavaria
to be excepted and the guilder be used as the
medium of business in that country alone The diili-
cutes of imperial legislation in the Empire of Germany
to be surpassed only by the delays Of republican
legislative bills in republican France. Existing insti-
tutions, however old and strange not willingly





much needed, readily adopted by the common mind
The imperial Ministry labor for empire in fact
a well as empire in name, but they are obliged to
yield temporarily to opposition as matter of policy.
The advantages to be derived from empire will every
day become more apparent and success must finally
crown their efforts"


NETHERLANDS.


The United States Consul at Rotterdam. Netherlands
says:"Concerning the transactions United States
railroad shares, which before the catastrophe in the
United States have been so important element IN tho
Dutch money markets, have but to repeat the
ment OF my preceding annual report Far from showing
any sign OF returning confidence in United States rail-
road shares the Dutch public rather increasing
aversion The sale of United States railroad securities
at the lowest rates, is limited to the smallest
minimum. The laws recently enacted in Wisconsin
corning railroads has just affected those securities
which the Dutch capitalists had invested enormous
sums-namely, the Chicago and Northwestern, and the
Milwaukee and ST. Paul railroads AS yet the holders
Of these bonds still believe that the hopes and
entertained by the directors of these railroads will
be realized and tnat those laws will be annued by
the Supreme Court Should this not be the casc


new depreciation Of these securities, well as Of all
other American railroad bonds may be expected For
years come investment Of Dutch capital in United
States railroad enterprises will be made Fnancicrs
who in this country, have been dealing United States
railroad securities agree in declaring that revival of
confidence In American railroad enterprises only
expected when radical change OF the present legisa-
tion railroad companies takes place in the different
States. As the best OF restoring confidence they
indicate strict control of the creation and payment of
the capital of companies; the obligatory regular at
least monthly publication Of the receipts and expend-
lures Of the railroads the limitation of the arbitrary
power OF the presidents Of tho companies and
tnf fho tofh hold Of