Page:Face to Face With the Mexicans.djvu/547

Rh It requires a discriminating eye and a suave, agreeable manner to obtain and hold the trade. So many things must be consulted and considered that in other countries have no relation whatever to business; but without which everything is tame and void of interest to the Mexican. It is necessary to study carefully the language, customs, habits and sentiments of the people; to familiarize one's self with the business methods, custom-house laws and the tariff. Usually in the haste to acquire a foothold, the smaller and more important details are lost sight of, but it is only by observing them that success will follow.



The prejudice of Mexicans against Americans is not so strong as the enemies of American interests would have residents of the United States believe. The various concessions, granted Americans both in the past and present, by the State and Federal Governments of Mexico, are proofs of this fact. But a wider and more extended communication between the two countries—more travel through Mexico by Americans and vice versa—would conduce to a better