system employed. The Egyptian piaster, however, is very close in value (4.94 cents) to the United States half dime; and it may be that price lists in our currency will be soon understood. Quotations thus made in the money of the country would necessarily imply that any loss of the exchange in getting the funds home would be for account of the American vendor; and in cases where the latter would be unwilling to accept this as one of the possible charges of the business, a note to that effect should be inserted in the price lists. Five years ago, the Egyptian customs administration officially adopted the metric system, the weights and measures of which are now in general use here and are much more intelligible to the majority of traders in Egypt than those employed by Great Britain.

CREDITS.

Not a few of the responsible retail dealers in Egypt, both British and foreign, complain of the rigor of the terms of the American and English exporters, as compared with the continental sellers, the latter, especially the Germans, being much more liberal in their credits, and altogether making such obvious efforts to meet the desires of their buyers as to secure the sympathies of almost all classes in business. It seems clear that some relaxation of the present American terms, at least, might be judiciously made, should traders of whatever nationality merit it, and it ought to be the aim of the representative of the United States, either resident agent or traveler, to qualify himself to advise his principals on this point. While saying this, it is necessary to sound a note of warning to those doing business directly, against the great danger of according credits to traders without prior inquiry as to their standing.

COMMERCIAL TRAVELERS.

Although commercial travelers of the English-speaking countries are more to be seen in Egypt than formerly, they are still inferior, in point of number, to their European competitors. Their forces, should it be intended to do business by this means, undoubtedly require to be increased. Although English is largely understood, the French and Italian languages are those most commonly known among middlemen here, with whom the traveler would have to deal; and of those languages, or at least of one of them, he ought to possess a colloquial knowledge. The visits to Egypt of these agents of direct sellers should be made with such frequency and at such seasons as may be found expedient in their respective lines of business, and could not fail to have an influence infinitely superior to the most lavish distribution of trade circulars.

RESIDENT AGENTS.

In the able report upon the commercial relations of Great Britain and Egypt, made in 1896 by Mr. Rennell Rodd, first secretary of Her Majesty's agent at Cairo, the writer refers to the extent to which British trade in this country is conducted through foreign agents, as being a possible reason for a considerable falling off in the amount of British imports. It is by no means rare to find foreign agents representing a number of firms, not only British, but European houses, that supply a similar description of goods; and it is said that the falling off of the amount of British imports is possibly due to the prejudice of the commercial methods of such agents, as it is unlikely, under the circumstances, that the same justice can be done to the British constituents, as would be the case if the interests of the latter were confided to an agent of their own nationality. If it be true, as affirmed, that the British exporter is sometimes induced to accept the services of foreign resident agents, because they charge him a lower rate of selling commission than would be asked by a British agent, the American exporter would do well to reflect as to the manifest drawbacks attached to intrusting his interests to firms, however honorable, who represent at the same time his most active, enterprising, and intelligent British and continental rivals, with whom are, as a matter of course, all their national and personal sympathies.

SALE TERMS.

Complaints are not infrequently heard of the method of quoting prices for goods delivered at the place of manufacture, thus leaving to the buyer the obligation of ascertaining all the intermediate expenses up to the moment when the articles reach his hand. As a rule, French houses quote prices delivered at Marseilles, Bordeaux, Havre, or Antwerp; and German, Belgian, or Austrian firms at Hamburg, Antwerp, or Trieste. The American exporter could greatly improve upon the foregoing by quoting costs, insurance, and freight at Alexandria; and if unable to do this, then certainly. he should give his figures free on board at well-known United States ports, such as New York, Philadelphia, Boston, and Baltimore, whenever this may be possible, and state, as far as he can, the prevailing rate of freight per ton or 40 cubic feet to Egypt.

TRADE-MARKS.

An important decision has been given by the mixed court of first instance at Alexandria, that only articles actually manufactured in a town were legally entitled to be marked with the name of the town. This judgment was subsequently fully confirmed by the court of appeal, the defendants being ordered to efface, at their own ex

pense, the word "Sheffield" on razors thus falsely marked; and further importation or sale of similar goods was prohibited under penalty of £2 per dozen. Favorable judgments have likewise been obtained in reference to a polish bearing the name of "Meltonian Cream, ̈' the defendants in the latter case being fined £50, forbidden to import or put on sale any more of the goods, under penalty of 2s. 6d. per bottle, and ordered to pay for the insertion of the judgment of the court in three local journals. The court appears to have taken a broad view of the word "imitation;" for wherever the counterfeit trade-mark resembles the genuine one sufficently to deceive an ordinary and casual observer, the importers or dealers have been held responsible. The simple introduction into Egypt of counterfeit marks forms a sufficient cause of action, without proof of effected or attempted sale; and on several occasions the court has responded to the demand for the seizure of imitation labels, capsules, etc., which it was assumed were intended to be attached to articles other than those properly entitled to bear them destined for sale in the country. Trade-marks can now be registered at the mixed courts, and, although perhaps not absolutely legally necessary, it is advantageous to do this, seeing that the surest ground for action against fraudulent imitators is thus prepared.

It is said that high-class, and therefore expensive, goods find but few purchasers in this market, and that which is wanted is a cheap. article of as good quality as can be obtained for the money. Still, there is trade for goods of high class, and, as the country is increasing in wealth, buyers for the better grades increase; but business can only be satisfactorily diverted by consulting the tastes and buying capacity of the buyers; and in Egypt, without doubt, at the present time, cheapness is the principal desideratum.

AGENCY AND WAREHOUSE.

With the idea in mind of establishing an American agency, I have earnestly sought to find suitable and willing parties, familiar already with Egyptian trade and its requirements, who would agree to confine their business to American goods; and I believe I can say that I have been successful in two instances. The plan outlined is to raise, for the first year, the sum of at least $10,000, to be contributed by American exporters in sums of $250 and upwards, in proportion to the importance of their business and the space occupied in displaying their products in warehouses in both Cairo and Alexandria; $2,500 of this amount to be paid to the managers, one of whom would be in Cairo, the other in Alexandria; $2,500 estimated to be the rental of the two warehouses; $2,500 for the employment of clerks, salesmen, and for advertising purposes; and $2,500 to

come and go on for incidental expenses, advance money for duties, etc., and to be accounted for. Indeed, one of the houses, with ample capital, is perfectly willing to undertake the business if a generous commission be allowed; but I think the other plan, with a small commission-say 5 per cent―to cover guaranty, which would permit of immediate remittance for goods sold and delivered, would be better. The intent of the agent is to sell the goods to the Egyptian buyer at the American free-on-board price, plus the freight, with 10 per cent added to cover the duty and expense of putting into store. The duties are but 8 per cent, with some port charges, which, with the handling into warehouse, will about absorb the additional 2 per cent. It is not intended that the agent shall add a profit, but that the buyers shall realize the low prices at which the goods of American manufacture can be laid down and delivered to them. As it now is, such American goods as are sold in Egypt have a large profit-sometimes as much as 100 per centadded to them; for instance, American office desks that have been sold to the Egyptian importer at about $20, free on board at New York, are retailed at from $45 to $50. It would largely increase the demand, if the low figures at which American goods really could be sold were generally known.

I am hopeful that when what I have mentioned becomes known to American manufacturers, thirty or forty will join in the plan and arrange either through the National Association of Manufacturers or through the Philadelphia Museums to perfect the matter. Both of these are greatly interested in the increase of our export trade and, I think, may willingly aid in giving the plan a fair trial. The initial cost will be small, and, should the plan unfortunately prove abortive, the loss will be at most of a trifling nature, while the probabilities of success, in my opinion, largely outweigh those of failure.

For much of the foregoing information I wish to express my acknowledgments to Dr. W. P. Wilson, managing director of the Philadelphia Commercial Museums; Mr. James Hewat, consular agent; and the chamber of commerce, Alexandria, Egypt.

THOMAS SKELTON HARRISON,

Agent and Consul-General at Cairo.

THE CARACAS WAREHOUSE.

Since the official inauguration by President Andrade of the American sample warehouse in Caracas, a full report of which appeared in ADVANCE SHEETS No. 90 (April 18, 1898), great strides have been made in the organization of the work of this institution. The large and spacious building is now well filled with a great variety of exhibits, representing the following industries:

These exhibits are grouped in the various rooms according to trades, which makes a most attractive, and at the same time comprehensive, showing.

A description of the institution will give a better idea of its extent. The main hall, as one enters, is devoted to the reception room, general office, bureau of information, and directors' private office. It is a characteristic modern American office, fitted up in the most