15c. A Copy JULY-1920 $1.50 A Year

CONSUL1 LLETIN

PUBLISHED MONTHLY WITH THE COOPERATION OF THE AMERICAN CONSULAR ASSOCIATION TO FURTHER AMERICAN BUSINESS INTERESTS IN FOREIGN LANDS THROUGH THE CONSULAR SERVICE

VOL. 2 JULY No. 5

A VIEW OF MONROVIA, CAPITAL OF LIBERIA, WEST AFRICA,

EDITOR, AND PUBLISHER, J. W. YOUNG - 14M45 WEST 36th ST., NEW YORK, N. Y. \ Diplomatic and Consular Appropriations

The question of securing adequate appropria¬ Some of the conspicuous items of decrease and tions for the Diplomatic and Consular Service for increase over the preceding year were as follows: the fiscal year 1920-1921 has been one of command¬ Conspicuous decreases: Decrease ing importance in the Department. Following the Salaries, Ambassadors and Ministers..$44,473.61 heavy national expenditures incident to war con¬ Salaries, Charges d’Affaires 8,000.00 ditions, Congress adopted a policy of retrenchment Clerks at Embassies and Legations....208,000.00 with a view to shifting the machinery of govern¬ Contingent Expenses, Foreign Mis¬ ment from a war to a peace basis. In many of the sions 410,000.00 departments, this transition could be effected with Transportation of Diplomatic and Consular Officers 125,000.00 comparative ease through the abrupt discontinu¬ Emergencies arising in the Diplomatic ance of certain activities directly or mainly relating and Consular Service 300,000.00 to the war. The Department of State, however, Transporting remains diplomatic and was in a distinctly different position from most of consular officers 1,344.65 the other departments, in that it inherited main' of Contingent Expenses, U. S. Consul¬ the post-war problems and a vast amount of new ates 168,000.00 and urgent work arising in the foreign field as an Expenses, Passport Control 50,000.00 aftermath of disturbed conditions. Curtailment Conspicuous increases: Increase under such circumstances became an exceedingly Salaries, Secretaries in Diplomatic delicate task, and the results obtained show the Service. $128,916.67 consequences of great diligence and foresight, as Purchase of Embassy, Santiago, it is believed that while extensive economies have Chile 130,000.00 been practiced, the vital machinery has been dis¬ Payment to Mrs. Magelssen 4,500.00 turbed as little as possible in the main. Boundary Line, Alaska, Canada and U. S 15,000.00 The total appropriations for the Diplomatic and Pan-Pacific Union 9,000.00 Consular Service, for the fiscal year 1921 are Third Pan-American Scientific Con¬ $9,383,537.91, as compared with $10,972,713.25 gress 25,000.00 for 1920, showing a general decrease in both Salaries and Expenses, Interpreters branches of the Service of $1,589,175.34. and Guards to Consulates 15,000.00

2 Need of Economy ble rise in rents which threatens to become almost While the general decrease in appropriations for universal, and it has been noted that in the case of 1921 appear to be comparatively small in the ag¬ many articles which formerly might have been pur¬ gregate, these reductions become far more import¬ chased in the field, there is a considerable advan¬ ant when it is realized that the estimates submitted tage to be gained by their purchase in the United by the Department for the Diplomatic and Con¬ States. The allotments for the current fiscal year sular Service totaled $11,913,102.91; thus in real¬ must be figured so closely that it will be difficult ity the decrease represents a general curtailment for the Department to approve any unauthorized of $2,529,025. In the original estimates, the De¬ expenditures, however inconsequential they may partment sought to secure an increase of $200,000 appear in themselves. Whereas the stress of war in the post allowance fund, but this amount was conditions required the constant use of telegrams for expediting the transaction of Service affairs, not allowed and the fund, therefore, remains at $000,000, the same as for the fiscal year 1919-1920. this heavy item of expenditure may now be greatly The increases in the Departmental estimates were reduced both because of the re-establishment of based upon the ever-growing duties devolving upon postal communications and of the less urgent char¬ the Service in the field and the general increase in acter of the information to be communicated. It the cost of administration throughout the world, is in the interest of the Service as a whole that due to the universal rise in the cost of living. To officers in the field should lend the Department meet these exigencies a certain extension of the their heartiest co-operation in utilizing judiciously Service was foreseen and more liberal allotments the comparatively limited resources now at its dis- posal. at many posts were deemed necessary. The fact that the volume and pressure of work is greater Brighter Prospects now than a year ago, whereas the appropriations are substantially less, indicates the urgent need of I he last session of Congress was not an appro¬ priate one for the realization of constructive pro¬ rigid economy in every phase of consular work in order that the present moment of retrenchment and jects, but the general atmosphere for the immediate financial conservatism may be abridged with as future is favorable as the interest of Congress and of the country is fixed on the Consular Service, and small a degree of derangement to the Service as possible. great hopes are entertained for its material better¬ ment. It may be said that although there is a The contingent expense allowance for the Con¬ moment of temporary strain, the prospects for pro¬ sular Service is diminished by $168,000, while moting the general interests of the Service appear most of the items represented in such expenditures sufficiently bright to inspire a higher degree of have vastly increased in cost. There is a percepti¬ optimism for the near future.

New Consular Class Richard F. Boyce, of Michigan. The following newly appointed Consuls and John R. Minter, of South Carolina. Vice Consuls are at present undergoing instruction M illiam \V. Corcoran, of Massachusetts. at the Department, Consul General Nathaniel B. Raleigh A. Gibson, of Illinois. Stewart being the instructor: Theodore D. Palmer, Jr., of New Jersey. Consuls Edmund B. Montgomery, of Illinois. Winthrop R. Scott, of Ohio. Avra M. Warren, of Maryland. The following student interpreters recently re¬ Chester W. Davis, of New' York. ceived instructions and have departed for their Renwick S. McNiece, of Utah. posts: F.dgar C. Soule, of Texas. George Orr. of New' Jersey. David C. Berger, of Virginia, to China. George J. Crosby, of New Jersey. Maxwell M. Hamilton, of Iowa, to China. Vice Consuls de carriere Flavius J. Chapman, of Virginia, to China. Henry Averill, of Virginia. Lawrence E. Salisbury, of Illinois, to Japan.

3 ^ AMERICAN ONSULAR, J^UJLI.BXlTsT

Appointments, Transfers, and Resignations C. Ludlow' Livingston, now Consul at Barbados, assigned Consul at Charlottetow'n, Prince Ed¬ In the Consular Service from ward Island. June 12 to , 1920. Will L. Lowrie, now Consul General at Lisbon, assigned Consul General at Athens. PRINCIPAL OFFICERS. John N. McCunn, now Consul at Georgetown, as¬ Charles H. Albrecht, now detailed to the Depart¬ signed Consul at Barbados. ment, detailed as Consul in charge at Reval. David B. MacGowan, now detailed , Norwood F. Allman, now Vice Consul and Inter¬ assigned Consul there. preter at Tsina, detailed to Tsingtau temporarily. Karl deG. MacVitty, now detailed Nassau, as¬ Homer Brett, now detailed to the Department, as¬ signed Consul at Saigon. signed Consul at Tacna, Chile. I.eland B. Morris, now detailed to Saloniki, as¬ John K. Caldwell, now assigned Vladivostok, as¬ signed as Consul there. signed Consul at Kobe. John B. Osborne, now detailed Havre, assigned Charles R. Cameron, now Consid at Tacna, Chile, Consul General at Christiania. assigned Consul at Pernambuco, Brazil. Horace Remillard, now assigned Saigon, assigned Carl F. Deichman, now detailed Valparaiso, as¬ Consul at Huelva, Spain. signed Consul General there. Frederick Simpich, now on detail, assigned Consul Charles W. Drew, now' Vice Consul at , at Guatemala. assigned Vice Consul at temporarily. James A. Smith, now Consul General at Calcutta, Robert Frazer, now assigned Kobe, ordered to pro¬ assigned Consul General at Hongkong. ceed to the Department upon arrival of successor Alban G. Snyder, now Consul General Panama, to assume his duties as Consul General at Large. assigned Consul General at Singapore. Elliot B. Coulter, now Vice Consul at Helsingfors, Hugh C. Stanard, now a Consular Assistant un- assigned Vice Consul at . assigned, Resigned. Edward M. Groth, assigned Vice Consul at Rotter¬ Alfred R. Thomson, now detailed Charlottetown, dam. First appointment. assigned Consul at Zagreb. Edwin N. Gunsaulus, now Consul General at Sing¬ Alexander W. Weddell, now Consul General at apore, assigned Consul General at Halifax. Athens/assigned Consul General at Calcutta. Thornwell Haynes, now unassigned, assigned Con¬ Charles S. Winans, now detailed London, detailed sul at Berne. as Consul in Charge at Prague. W. Stanley Hollis, now detailed London, assigned John D. Wise, now unassigned, detailed to War¬ Consul General at Lisbon. saw. George D. Hopper, now' detailed to the Depart¬ V\ allace J. ^ oung, now Consul at Prague, assigned ment, detailed to Rotterdam. Consul at Bradford. James P. Hurley, now detailed to Riga, assigned Consul there. SUBORDINATE OFFICERS. Augustus E. Ingram, now Consul at Bradford, as¬ Richard C. Beer, now \ ice Consul and clerk, Brad¬ signed Consul at Havre. ford, appointed Vice Consul and clerk at Liver¬ Ezra M. Lawton, now' Consul at Guatemala, as- pool. assigned Consul at Sao Paulo, Brazil. Franklin Clarkin, special work as Vice Consul at Walter A. Leonard, formerly assigned, detailed to ; Harbin terminated and services accordingly the Department for duty. jj ended' Marion Letcher, now' Consul General Christiania JjjFrancis p Dormandy, appointed Vice Consul and assigned Consul General at Callao-Lima. ™ clerk, Tientsin.

4 Earl W. Eaton, appointed Vice Consul and Clerk, Freeman S. Moon, appointed Consular Agent at Saltillo. Cyprus. Charles Isaacs, now at Montreal, appointed Vice Anthony Sherman, now at Guadalajara, appointed Consul and Clerk at Toronto. Vice Consul and clerk Nuevo Laredo. James H. Keelev, now clerk Constantinople, ap¬ John Skelton Williams, Jr., appointed Vice Consul pointed Vice Consul there. at Athens. John McGilchrist, appointed Consular Agent at Robert P. Winters, special work as Vice Consul at Grenada. Omsk terminated and services accordingly ended. Joseph A. McOsker, now at Liverpool, appointed Edwin C. Merrell, now at Halifax, appointed Vice Vice Consul at Montreal. Consul and clerk at Hamilton, Bermuda.

James T. Du Bois Dies of Pneumonia In 1895 he was reinstated in the foreign service of the government as Consul General at St. Gall, (Washington Evening Star, May 28, 1920.) Switzerland, where his work in connection with the James T. Du Bois of Pennsylvania and the Dis¬ undervaluation of laces, etc., exported to the United trict of Columbia, diplomatist, journalist and au¬ States resulted in radical reforms and saved the thor, died suddenly in New York City yesterday. government a large amount of money. He was stricken with pneumonia on the train while In August, 1911, he was appointed United States on his way from his winter residence in Florida to Minister to Colombia, then regarded a most im¬ his home in Hallstead, Pa., and failed to rally portant post because of the negotiations in progress under medical treatment. His body will be taken in connection with the construction of the Panama to Hallstead for burial. Canal, and was highly commended by the officials Mr. Du. Bois was a resident of Washington, of the State Department for the able manner in I). C., for many years and was actively identified which he conducted the negotiations which led to with its progress and improvement. He was one the conclusion of the treaty with Colombia. When of the original trustees of the Washington Public that work was finished, in June, 1913, Air. Du Bois Library and made a liberal donation toward its resigned from the diplomatic service and resumed initial equipment. From 1872 to 1877 he was his literary and journalistic work in the United editor of the National Republican, then published States, in the course of which he traveled consider¬ on the site of the present Southern Railroad build¬ ably. During that time he delivered a series of ing. He was always ready, with convincing voice, lectures for the Food Administration and in behalf facile pen and energetic action, to assist in efforts of subscriptions to the Liberty loans. for civic betterment. At different times he was a During his busy life he found time to do consid¬ director in the Washington Loan and Trust Com¬ erable high-class literary work. He was the au¬ pany and had interests in other enterprises. He thor of “Life of Ex-Speaker Galusha A. Grow,’’ was a member of the Sons of the Revolution of the “Fun and Pathos of One Life” and other works. District of Columbia. Harry L. Bryan of the State Department, an Born at Hallstead, Pa., April 17, 1851, he was old and intimate friend of Mr. Du. Bois, today paid graduated from Ithaca Academy in 1870 and took the following tribute to his memory: a course of lectures on journalism at Cornell. After five years in the editorial management of the “A charming and gracious personality, a cordial¬ National Republican he was persuaded in 1877 to ity unaffected, flowing from inherent characteristics accept the post of LTnited States Consul at Aix la of good will and individual interest in the affairs Chapelle, , and thus began a long and of his fellow men; gifted with qualities of rare useful career in the foreign service. Four years eloquence in public speech, which was readily re¬ later he was transferred to the consulate at Leip¬ sponsive to the many requests made by patriotic zig, Germany, and remained there until 1885 when and other civic associations, gained for him an ever- he returned to Washington and resumed general increasing number of friends in the District, whose journalistic work. affection and admiration is deep and sincere.”

5 Grading and Censoring of Consular Trade ice, subject to the advice of consular officers sta¬ Reports tioned in the Trade Adviser’s Office. In December, 1919, however, Consul George D. Hopper was as¬ Members of the Association will be glad to learn signed to the Trade Adviser’s Office for the express that the work of grading and censoring consular purpose of superintending this arrangement; and trade reports in the Foreign Trade Adviser’s Office in June, 1920, when Consul Hopper was assigned of the Department of State has been expanded and brought to a degree of efficiency which has not to Rotterdam, he was replaced by Consul Walter A. Leonard- recently stationed at Colombo, Cey¬ heretofore been practicable. lon-—who is now in charge of the system. The Foreign Trade Adviser’s Office, as many members of the Association are aware, now num¬ A system of efficiency cards, revised by Consul bers among its staff thirteen Regional Economists, Hopper, is maintained by each of the Regional assigned respectively to handle all economic ques¬ Economists; and these cards are called in and tions arising in the thirteen geographical regions worked over at least as often as quarterly by the into which the world has been divided for this pur¬ consular officer in charge of the system. In the pose. These gentlemen, the great majority of event of a request from the Consular Bureau, where whom have taken doctorates in economics, have for the general consular efficiency system is maintained, more than a year past been reading, grading and these cards are consulted as occasion arises; so that censoring all consular reports from the respective there are at all times available full data as to the regions allotted to them. trade reporting efficiency of each consular officer.

It is also the duty of these Regional Economists It would be natural to apprehend that officials to keep in touch with other departments or agencies of the character of the Regional Economists, who of the Government to which copies of consular have not themselves seen service abroad, would not trade reports are sent, to ascertain from those de¬ be able to give proper weight to the various handi¬ partments their views regarding the value and caps confronting the officers wdiose work they are quality of the reports, and also to ascertain what grading; but every possible measure has been taken practical use and disposition is made of each re¬ to overcome their limitations in this respect. They port. In each of the leading departments of the have now been in consultation with so large a num¬ Government there exists an official formally ap¬ ber of officers from the field passing through Wash¬ pointed by the appropriate Cabinet officer or head ington, and have been given such extensive guid¬ of a commission to serve as a Liaison Officer of the ance by the Foreign Trade Adviser’s Office, that it Department of State on all economic matters. is believed that their grading would be regarded as These Liaison Officers receive and dispose of the fairly acceptable by any officer concerned. In ad¬ copies of consular trade reports routed to their re¬ dition, the grades are revised by the consular officer spective departments and commissions; and it is to who is in direct charge of the general arrangement, these Officers that the Regional Economists apply and of course by the Chief of the Consular Bureau for information as to the use made of the reports. and the Director of the Consular Service.

Since the Regional Economists have a number It is the aim of the Foreign Trade Adviser’s of other duties, their w'ork in this respect is given Office to have constructive criticism, as well as ex¬ general supervision by a single official in the Trade pressions of approval, transmitted to each consular Adviser’s Office. Prior to December, 1919, this officer whenever his trade work is above or below official was a senior clerk from the classified serv¬ the average in any respect.

6 AMERICA'S! ^ONSgLAItJ^ULLETIN

Repeated requests in the BULLETIN for photo¬ graphs and articles have not had the desired effect. May the publisher be allowed to more fully co¬ CON SUC LLETIN operate with the Editors by receiving a greater response to such appeals in the future?

The regrets for delay in publishing expressed by VOL 2 JULY NO. 5 the Secretary coincide with those of the Publisher. Such delays may be greatly diminished by proper co-operation. Editor and Publisher - - - - J. W. YOUNG 141-145 West 36th Street

New York City, N. Y„ U. S. A. July 20, 1920. My dear Mr. Tredwell:— At a meeting of the Executive Committee of the Subscription $1.50 a year—15c a copy American Consular Association held on , 1920, a resolution was adopted appointing you To Members Chairman of a Reception Committee of the Associ¬ American Consular Association ation and requesting you, with the aid of such offi¬ cers in Washington as you may select to assist you, In this issue of the BULLETIN are published let¬ to receive consular officers coming to Washington. ters from the President of the Association and the reply of the Secretary in which an appreciation as It is the desire of the Committee that consular well as regrets are expressed. officers coming to Washington be cordially received The publisher wishes to add his appreciation to and a friendly interest shown with the view to that expressed in Mr. Skinner’s letter, of the un¬ making their stay enjoyable as well as of interest usual work done by the members of the Association to the Association; and your services in this matter in Washington who are, in addition to their regular will be highly appreciated by the Association. The duties, editing the BULLETIN under very serious difficulties. The Publisher believes that this work resolution also suggested that Mr. Havens of the lias been unusually well done in view of the very Consular Bureau be requested to place witli the few spare moments such officials must have at their mail of each incoming officer a slip asking him to disposal and especially so when it is considered how call on you at your office, where they will be re¬ little co-operation has been had from the larger ceived by you in the name of the Association. body of the members of the Association.

A publication such as the BULLETIN must neces¬ Thanking you for your co-operation in this mat¬ sarily rely to a great extent on the contributions ter, I remain, my dear Mr. Tredwell, of ALL members of the Association for which it Very sincerely yours, is published, if it is to be successful. With only two or three exceptions, there have been no con¬ DONALD D. SHEPARD, tributions except from Washington and until there Secretary-Treasurer, American Consular Ass’n. are, the BULLETIN will remain for a great part Consul Roger C. Tredwell, filled with material other than that most interesting to the individual member. Washington, D. C.

7 LI WEST CC

Liberia is gro Republic occupying tli| of N orthern tween the R the southeas northwest, w 48,000 squa miles from principal ex;: fee, cocoa, w palm kerne hides, ivory, ports, cotton

A Village in the Interior of Liberia, Harry A

Avenue Royale'Boma, Kongo American Consul AMERICAN CONSULAR, ^UIXETTIlv

LIA OF AFRICA dependent ne- 'estern Africa, t of tlie Coast a which is be-

'avalla and in Mano in the area of about les and 2.50 eaboard. The re rubber, cof- lger, palm oil, iassava fibre, dust etc. Im- . etc. tographs, Courtesy, American Consul, "Chop Time” In a Liberian Town. .

A View of Boma, Kongo eral, Boma, Kongo. Financial Statement distinguished publicists and diplomatists interested American Consular Association in foreign trade or international relations, and a number of newly appointed consular officers under¬ Date Receipts Disbursements Balance going training in the Department of State. Dec. 31, 1918. ..$1,201.39 $82.38 $1,119.01 Mar. 31, 1919. .. 306.22 128.92 1,296.31 J line 30, 1919. .. 209.84* 214.01 1,292.14 Recently in Washington Sept. 30, 1919. .. 430.00 129.33 1,592.81 The following consular officers have recently Dec. 31, 1919. .. 377.50 207.47 1,762.84 visited the Department while on leave of absence: Mar. 31, 1920. .. 404.05f 103.80 2,063.09 Davis B. Levis, Vice Consul at La Rochelle. June 30, 1920. .. 226.00 112.00 2,289.09 Shelby F. Strother, Consul assigned to Amsterdam. Total $977.91 $2,177.09 Harold D. Clum, Consul at Santiago de Cuba. Gilbert W. \\ illson, Consul at Matamoros. * Includes $19.74 interest on savings account. David B. Macgowan, Consul at Vladivostok. f Includes $24.05 interest on savings account. I.eo N. Shaw, Vice Consul at Irkutsk. (The Association funds are deposited in Savings Ernest L. Harris, Consul General at Irkutsk. Bank in two accounts, one at 3% per annum, the Emery J. Woodall, Vice Consul at Tientsin. other at 2%, the former account not having check¬ Eliot B. Coulter, Vice Consul at London. ing privileges, the latter being a checking account.) John B. Madore, Vice Consul at Athens. George Horton, Consul General at Smyrna. The receipts for June 30, 1920, do not include semi-annual interest which will be included in ac¬ Irwin D. Arter, Vice Consul at Nuevitas. count for September 30, 1920. Lawrence P. Briggs, unassigned, on leave. JAMES BARCLAY YOUNG, Edwin Clay Merrell, Vice Consul at Hamilton, Secretary-Treasurer. Bermuda.

The foregoing financial statement was formally July 20, 1920. approved by the Executive Committee of the Ameri¬ My dear Mr. Hengstler:- can Consular .Association at its regular meeting of On behalf of the Executive Committee of the duly 17, 1920. A detailed analysis of the expendi¬ American Consular Association, I wish to express tures is as follows: to you its thanks for your gift to the Association Printing $73.05 of a number of photographs of various Consular Stationery 46.29 Classes. These pictures have been framed and will Salary, Clerk 141.67 be placed in the Consuls’ Room of the Department, Stamps 19.20 No. 109. Publishing Consular Bulletin 618.00 I am, my dear, Mr. Hengstler, Miscellaneous 27.40 Very sincerely yours, Guests, Consular Luncheons 52.30 DONALD D. SHEPARD, Total $977.91 Secretary-Treasurer, American Consular Association. The guests at luncheons given by the Association The Honorable Herbert C. Hengstler, have included the Acting Secretary of State, the Honorary Vice-President, Third Assistant Secretary of State, a number of American Consular Association.

10 /yrtERICATSr rONSULAR LLETIN'

No. 9801 , 1920. AMERICAN CONSULATE GENERAL Robert P. Skinner, Esquire, London, England. President, American Consular Association, June 28, 1920. Care of the American Consulate General, London, England. Subject: American Consular Association. The Honorable Sir:— The Secretary of State, I have the honor to acknowledge, on behalf of Washington. the Executive Committee of the American Consular Sir:— Association, your official despatch No. 9801, dated June 28, 1920, in which you communicated a reso¬ I have the honor to report that at the Conference lution regarding the AMERICAN CONSULAR BULLE¬ of American Consuls serving in the United King¬ TIN unanimously passed at the Conference of dom, which was held in London on May 18th and American Consuls serving in the , 19th, the activities of the American Consular Asso¬ held in London on May 18 and 19. ciation were considered and particularly the utility of the monthly Consular Bulletin. Following the The Executive Committee wishes me to express discussion, a motion was presented by Mr. Savage, its earnest appreciation of the helpful and forbear¬ seconded by Messrs. Ingram and Honey and unani¬ ing spirit manifested by the resolution, and of the mously carried, reading as follows: valuable counsel embodied therein. The Commit¬ tee, further, directs me to transmit herewith a copy “That this Conference express their appre¬ ciation of the difficult task the editors have of a resolution passed at its session on the seven¬ had, and respectfully suggest to them that teenth instant, from which it will appear that a future numbers contain more specific informa¬ regular provision is being made for the publication tion regarding what is going on in Washington of specific information regarding what is going on that particularly affects the service.” in Washington that particularly affects the Ameri¬ can Consular Service. I think I should say in explanation of this motion that various Consular Officers spoke of the pleasure The Committee believes that it would be of which they had derived from reading the BULLETIN interest to you to learn that the very serious delays and dwelt at considerable length upon the very in the publication of the AMERICAN CONSULAR generous efforts of the editors of the BULLETIN, BULLETIN have been due, not only to the printers’ who, in addition to carrying on their official work, strike in New York City, but to the illness of the and without compensation or even thanks, have publisher and the conducting of negotiations be¬ brought out the BULLETIN from month to month. tween the latter and the Association regarding the I shall be greatly obliged to the Department if continuance of the contract with the publisher. the action of the Consular Conference may be There seems to be now every reason to believe that brought to the attention of the members of the the publication will be brought up to date within American Consular Association in Washington. a month’s time. I ha , e the honor to be, Sir, I have the honor to remain, Sir, Your obedient Servant, Your obedient servant, ROBERT P. SKINNER, DONALD D. SHEPARD, American Consul General. Secretary, American Consular Association.

Minutes of Meeting of Executive Cemmittee of Mr. Lay will be charged with the preparation of American Consular Association, Held one and a half pages of material from the Office of July 17, 1920. the Director of the Consular Service and Mr. Pink¬ CONSULAR BULLETIN. erton of one and a half pages of news from the Mr. Johnson moves that “Hereafter, ‘service Consular Bureau, and Mr. Frost will prepare other news' for the CONSULAR BULLETIN will be pre¬ material of interest to the Service, for the CON¬ pared by Mr. Frost, Mr. Lay and Mr. Pinkerton. SULAR BULLETIN.” Motion seconded and carried. Some Sound Suggestions as to How the JStal Trade Factors United States Can Cultivate and Retain The Chinese trader, especially, counts prompt Oriental Trade deliveries as one of the vital factors in his business,

By C. D. KOMAROFF and if he can not get prompt deliveries from Amer¬ ica he will instinctively turn to those other coun¬ Manager, Import Department, Gaston, Williams & tries whose manufacturers can make them satisfac¬ Wigmore, Far Eastern Division, Inc., torily. Shanghai, China. With the markets of Europe being rapidly OWING to the circum¬ opened and vigorously seeking Far Eastern trade, stances of the war, the and countries like England, , and United States developed Italy already in a position to supply China with the her business in both imports equipment and goods required, it is imperative that and exports with the Orient to the American supplier bestir himself very ener¬ a tremendous degree. Because getically in speeding up his production, and ar¬ of this the question is often range to make quicker deliveries. Unless he does asked: “What are the future this he will see the Chinest trade go to European prospects of the United States competitors. Mr. C. D. Komaroff trade with China This 'lo¬ tion cannot he answered accur¬ Owing to a series of conditions during the past ately, but a logical forecast can be attempted with twelve months the imports of the United States due modesty. from China have materially decreased. This is attributable chiefly to the unstabilized condition of At present the manufacturers of the United the money market here, as well as by over specu¬ States have assumed so many contracts for future lation in goods. The result of this is that there delivery that the mills and factories are unable to is a large quantity of Chinese produce in the United eater to the Oriental trade, except for deliveries States which is extremely difficult to dispose of ex¬ far in the future. Then, too, labor is so advanced cept at a considerable sacrifice. It is a well known in price, while the high cost of raw materials makes fact that spot goods of China produce were freely the prices of goods required for the Oriental trade sold in this market during April at from ten to rather excessive. thirty per cent less than the cost of production in The Chinese merchant is to some extent prepared China. This condition was based upon the rate of to pay even the present high prices for articles that exchange prevailing at that time. he now needs, provided he is assured of good qual¬ The Other Extreme ity and prompt deliveries. Admitting that the American importers, having operated recklessly, quality of the goods will conform to the Chinese have now gone to the other extreme and are over traders’ requirements, the next question is whether cautious in their buying. The result is that the the deliveries will be acceptable. It cannot be ex- import trade of China produce is practically at a peted that the Far Eastern buyer will base the de¬ standstill. Right now the buyer of Chinese pro¬ livery of his goods alone upon the convenience of duce here in the United States will offer only ridie- the American manufacturer.

12 AMBRICAN CONSULAR, BULLETIN t=- f I HI l ■ ' ' V» ■ ■ ■■ ■

ulously low prices for Cliinese goods. The Chinese at great cost and with considerable effort during can well afford to ignore such offers because of the advantageous war times. fact that Europe, which is in more urgent need of During the past five years both the Chinese im¬ China produce than is the United States, is able porter and exporter have acquired a great regard and willing to pay the current prices. and respect for American buyers and sellers. As a matter of fact they are eager to maintain and fur¬ It is for these reasons that the importer in Amer¬ ther develop their recent successful business rela¬ ica must strive equally witli the exporter in stabil¬ tions. However, such an achievement depends en¬ izing finance and commercial conditions generally. tirely upon the co-operative efforts of American Until this is done, the trade possibilities between importers and exporters to stabilize present busi¬ the United States and China must necessarily de¬ ness conditions, which are admittedly far from sat¬ cline, with the consequent result that this country isfactory or profitable to either of the two coun¬ will lose a large percentage of the trade built up tries.

Prosperous Days Ahead for Chile

An era of prosperity is looked forward to in With the exception of copper mining, which is Chile, according to reports from our Valparaiso almost entirely in the hands of American interests, office, but a time in which American firms will have the United States’ interests in and trade with Chile to fight hard to retain the lion’s share of Chilean were before the war exceeded by those of both the trade which the war flung into their hands. Al¬ United Kingdom and Germany. It is reported that ready British correspondents in Chile are writing American capital will soon acquire two copper letters home telling of the natural resources of the mines even more important than any now owned country, which they describe as awaiting only Brit¬ there, in the Potrerillos and Lo Aguirre properties, ish gold and brains for their development, while development schemes for the first of which include the Sindicato Italiano del Pacifico, with a paid-up the construction of a port, a power plant, a rail¬ capital of 20,000,000 lire, all subscribed in Chile, road, a city, a factory, and a water system. has been formed for promoting trade between that British representatives, however, believe that the country and Italy. Steamship routes to Valparaiso pre-war preference of the Chileans for British have also been established bv the Italian Naviga¬ goods has not been forgotten, and hope to regain tion Company, from Genoa, and by the Royal the greater part of their former trade if only they Dutch West Indian Mail. can recommence deliveries shortly.

13 ■sHu? SHIP PING

Ocean Freight Situation To Havre 15c per cu. ft. or $1.00 per 100 lbs. To Bordeaux 55c per cu. ft. or $1.00 per 100 lbs. Foreign Bulletin-American Express Co. To Mediterranean The various outlaw railroad strikes have serious¬ Ports 65c per cu. ft. or $1.00 per 100 lbs. ly interfered with the free movement of freight, as To Buenos Aires & Montevideo a result of which there continues a lack of sufficient $20.00 per 10 cu. ft. or 2,210 lbs. ship’s option cargo to fill available steamship space. Conditions To Rio de Janeiro at the port of New York have shown considerable $18.50 per 40 cu. ft. or 2,2 10 lbs. ship’s option improvement during the last month, and deliveries To China, Japan and Manila to steamers of both carload and less than carload $23.00 per 10 cu. ft. or 2,240 lbs. ship’s option shipments have been made with reasonable prompt¬ To Bombay and Calcutta ness after their arrival at seaboard. 70c per cu. ft. or $1.10 per 100 lbs. ship’s option The port of for the past three To Australia & New Zealand—Ports of Call weeks has been tied up with a longshoremen’s strike $25.00 per 10 cu. ft. or 2,240 lbs. ship’s option and steamers have sailed from that port without taking the cargo booked for them and available at seaboard for loading. Steamship lines have en¬ deavored to load the lighter package freight with More Credit Needed to Win Trade substitutes taken from their office staffs. These From a noted Argentine journalist traveling in men, however, were unable to handle the heavier this country came recently a reiteration of the oft- class of traffic such as automobiles, steel, etc. It repeated warning that the United States will lose is hoped that some compromise will be arrived at within the next week. their wartime trade with South America unless American exporters are willing to forego their de¬ A strike of railroad switchmen on the railroad mands of cash against documents. Other nations lines entering Baltimore has necessitated the plac¬ grant long-term credits, according to this authority, ing of embargo against all classes of freight ex¬ cepting coal and food products. On or before and with Germany in control of lighting and power July 20th, the labor board promises to render a facilities, England owning the railways, and Japan decision on the demands of the various railroad em¬ a coming factor, the United States must make at ployees now before them, including those of the least equal concessions if they are to hold their striking switchmen, and it is expected such decision Argentine trade. will bring the strikers back to work.

Ocean rates continue firm notwithstanding the fact that more ocean space is available than there is freight offering. The current rates on general Next Lyons Fair merchandise to the principal ports are as follows: (Foreic/n Trade Bulletin, American Express Co.) To British The Autumn session of the Lyons Fair will be ports 50c per cu. ft. or $1.00 per 100 lbs. held at Lyons, France, from October 1 to 15. The To Christiania & Copenhagen 70c per cu. ft. or $1.50 per 100 lbs. American manager is expected to arrive in this To Rotterdam & >vi f country shortly, and full details will be carried in Antwerp 50c per cu. ft. or $1.00 per 100 lbs.il ■the next issue of the BULLETIN. Standard Oil c orapany of New York 26 Broadway New York

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15

Waldorf-Astoria Hotel McAlpin

The The Hotel Aristocrat of Convenience of Hotels and Comfort

MR. CONSUL: Naturally you are interested in the comfort and welfare of any foreigners you may know who are coming to New York. We, too, realize the special attention requisite to their comfort and stand ready to co-operate with you by giving special care and con¬ sideration to foreign guests you may send us. A letter of introduction to either of our hotels will be all that is necessary; or, if you wish, you may cable us collect making reserva¬ tion and giving name of steamer so that we may meet guests upon their arrival. It is our sincere desire to be of helpful service and we hope to have your co-operation. We maintain two European offices and reading rooms in the American Express Company building, 6 Haymarket, London, and 11 Rue Scribe, Paris. Any of your friends traveling via these cities may perhaps find these offices a convenience. New York

Under the Direction of L. M. Boomer.