Sold by the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office Washington, D. C. WASHINGTON GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1922 PREFACE TO FIRST EDITION. The need for a guide for commercial travelers to Latin America has long been felt. In this volume an effort has been made to supply practical, concrete facts and information which will be useful to business men in planning trips to the territory south of the United States. It should be borne in mind that this is not a handbook. Many phases of commerce and industry which would obviously require treatment in a handbook can only be touched upon in a guide. It is deemed necessary to make this explanation for the benefit of those who might otherwise expect a more extended treatment of certain subjects merely referred to in this publication. The bulk of the information herein supplied has been obtained at first hand. Not only is it based on the actual experience of numerous travelers, but the latest and most reliable Government and other authorities have been consulted. There is included only such information as will be of definite value to those who seek trade relations with the regions that are treated. No efforts have been spared to verify all the statistics and figures of every sort that are quoted. It should be remembered, however, that conditions are changing rapidly; hence, allowance must necessarily be made for discrepancies which may be discovered in the actual use of the guide. Furthermore, it is to be expected that the coming of peace will materially influence the conditions of travel, sailings, time tables, etc. As the Bureau contemplates issuing from time to time revised editions of this guide it will welcome suggestions for the improvement of the book, for additions or changes which may add to its usefulness, and for corrections which will insure its accuracy. ERNST B. FILSINGER. III 492687 |