The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-06-16

the Europcan War and TIA BreaA Question
In the United ssates.
The changing phases Of the existing Euro
pean war, immaterial and indecisive ~ they
have been, since the formal declaration against
Russia by the Western Powers, have affected
our money and provision markets as sensibly as
the changes in the surrounding atmosphere af-
feet the index of the barometer For several
weeks past there has been declining tendency
in breadstufIs and provisions; and the Austro-
Psussian manifesto, suggesting, as it does, such
an alliance against the Gar as may constrain
him to satisfactory concessions for peace, has
contributed further to the reduction Of the
prices Of -four, wheat, corn and other staple ar
ticles of subsistence The news by the Ara
bia indicates slight advance in the corn
market; but this, we suspect, unless the
present hopes of peace are disappointed,
will not arrest the general tendency to a
decided reduction. Should the equivocations
of this Austro-Prussian manifesto be succeed
ed by genuine and conclusive alliance Of
the German States with England and France,
we may count upon continued reduction in
the prime necessities Of life, according to the
prospects Of peace; for the continuance of the
war would necessarily involve q wasteful con-
sumption and destruction of the old and the
growing crops of the entire continent waste
which, by a timely suspension Of hostiities,
would be saved.
This consideration has mainly Influenced the
gradual decline in breadstufEs for some weeks
past, decline which will be more rapid and
decided should the movements of the Germanic
powers in behalf of peace become more definite
and satisfactory. In the event of the speedy
closing Of the war the decline in all articles of
subsistence will be marked and permanent; for,
in addition to the saving of the growing sup
plies of the continent, the extraordinary
breadth of lands devoted by our farmers to the
crops of the coming season will doubtless add a
largely increased aggregate to our annual pro-
ducts beyond the immediate necessities of our
population.
On the other hand, should the shutting course
for selfpreservation adopted by Prussia and
Austria fail Of bringing the Gear to terms, and
should the war progress from the extreme out
side circle of operations to which it is now
limited, into the heart Of Europe, till the whole
continent is involved in tho conhagration, the
result will indeed be golden harvest to the
American farmer, though not without its Sc
rious drawbacks to the multitudes of our popu-
lous cities Let the war progress till Germany
is drawn into the melee, and we may reasona-
bly, count upon the rising of the revolutionary
elements of the German and Italian States, and
of Hungary and Poland. The onslaught upon
Russia being thus complicated with wide
spread system of popular revolutionary move
ments, one of the inevitable consequent
of all the materials of subsistence, from the fe-
rocious instincts Of the belligerents in the Grip
ping and destruction of each other, to an ex-
tent unparalleled in the history of the fiercest
barbarians.
The supplies Of the continent being thus con-
sumed by war, including the resources Of
Odessa, the modern granary of Europe, it
would devolve upon the United States and the
Canadas to supply the deficiencies thus created.
The prices Of bread and provisions of all kinds
would be correspondingly advanced; and q
largely increased exodus to our shores from
the furnishing millions of europe would further
contribute to the famine standard in all the
of life. Excessive expectations of
bread, and overwhelming accessions to our con-
sumers at the same time, could not fail of Civ
ing our farmers their own prices for their pro-
ducts, nor of reversing the balances of our
transatlantic exchanges largely in our favor.
What the immediate effects of such famine
prices would be in our large cities we almost
fear to conjecture. One result would certainly
be to drive multitudes Of people from the sea-
board into the interior, and the addition, in con-
sequence, Of large achievements to all the
agricultural and bread-producing classes Of the
country. We hope, however, that no occasion
for any such experiment may occur.
We have almost ceased to count upon general
war in Europe. The attitude assumed by Austria
and Prussia betrays, ct least, their anxiety for
peace, Notwithstanding their efforts to carry
water upon both shoulders. The desire, the
manifest policy, nay, the self-evident neces-
sity of those Powers is peace. Neither the
tria is secure upon his throne, should the
venue Of war be changed from the Baltic
and the Black Sea to the old continental
battle fields of Germany. The very fear enter
tanned by their masters Of the German, Italian
and Hungarian revolutionary elements, though
still in state Of repose, may lead to the pacif-
cation of Europe. The dilatory movements Of
Napier and Dundas promise it, and betray the
policy ofthe allies to be rather to brighten the
Gear into compromise, than to thrash him
into capitulation. But still, should peace be
secured, even before the adjournment Of Con-
gress, the demand for breadstuAs and provis-
ions in Europe will probably be fully equal to
all the surplus of North America. The supplies
of Odessa will be materially shortened; the
prevailing scantiness of grain in France and
Germany can scarcely be remedied by their