Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-11-29
From the Baltimore Sun.
The Bread Question.

The grain advices from Europe by the
Canada are deemed very important. The con-
tinued rise IN wheat, not only in England and
France, but in Germany, excites more than
usual attention, SO far as the English harvest
OF 1888 is concerned, a letter of Mr.. John
Card, claiming that the deficiency is incon-
siderable, has been taken ~ by the London
Daily NecS and other authorities, with the
view of refutimg it. The average price at Mark
Lane, he week the Canada sailed, was Is the
quarter higher than on the previous Mon.
day. The English milerS aCere the prin-
cipdt buyers. They number, throughout the
Kingdom, 1928, and it is held to be a gross
aosurdlty to suppose that this large class would
not struggle against the advance in price. if
they could prevent it, orif their own knowledge
OF the English crop did not influence them to
immediate purchases. 1t is equally absurd, the
DAILY Ne1os contends, to maintain that the
3O3,720 farmers Of Great Britain have entered
into a combination to keep up the price of
wheat. The requirements of the kingdom last
year were twenty-four millions bushels, or three
millions imperial quarters. For the first two
months after the harvest the average per
quarter was 56s l0d. This year the average
since the harvest is 76s Cd. Tie average
since January is 76s sd, and it is likely 10
amount to 7Ss before The end Of December.
The same authority says:
NOW, 1t is plain that the present war was
certainly not the first nor the main cause Of
the great, rise in the price of wheat, for in Feb
ruary, 1854, it was SOS l0d. In November.
1853, II stood at RS cd. Those high prices
were not caused by the war, which only begun
IN March, 1854. After the war was declared in
September 1854, the price was Sos I'd. Nor
can the war have affected the price in Prussia,
which has lately been buying corn in England,
and proposes to reduce the import duties in
the Lollverein that her people may be fed.
Even IN 1888 the average price Of wheat in
Prussia was 54s Cd, being l3s lid above the
average OF the previous % years, and il has
since continually risen. Last year, too. the
prlce OF wheat was quite as high in the United
States as in England; and it was not affected
by the war. In truth a general rise has taken
place In the price of corn throughout Europe.
and, we may say, throughout the world, which
must not be lightly passed over, or treated as
a momentary deviation from the ordinary price
TO be corrected by some petty municipal or
imperial regulations
The causes Of changes are next argued out
by the writer, rs relating mainly TO the effect
OF the commercial activity of the world, which
has been stimulated by the discoveries in Cali
fornia and Australia. The diversions Of labor
from agriculture in l853-54, in the United
States, is adverted 10 as one Of The results of
this stimulation. The increase of CITY popula.
ton IN this country is also mentioned, In con.
nection with the creation Of more wealth from
ship and railway building, wherewith to buy
and pay Tor food at enhanced prices. In short,
the bread question is treated as a world. wide
problem, and the ultimate conclusion arrived
at that the dearness which the English people
deplore chiefly in the gold dis.
coveries, which have spread an almost mad de-
light through all society, and have everywhere
kindled energy and enterprise" Remarkinc
on these statements, the New York Times
says:
1T y highly probable that the English Gov
ernmeut, as well as the Imperial rule in France.
discovered the true bearing Of The harvest re-
suits at home earlier IN the season than the
foregoing speeulations. They have, undoubt.
edly, had their commissaries or agents in the
United States for these six weeks past. The
money negotiations for the purchase of grain
are made through Barring Brothers.
"These movements have anticipated by more
than a month The rapid advance ia prices and
the renewed discussion of the food question in
England, as advised BY The Canada. The prices
have not been quoted so decidedly buoyaut. rs
well as dear, since l847.
One OF the fortunate results Of his state OF
the question TO American agriculture is the
steady increase in favor of the staple Of Indian
corn, az a substitute for wheat. The export
trade IN corn has increased rapidly, and prices
IN Liverpool have steadily increased under il.
When Sir Robert Peel's bill first opened the
English ports 70 free trade in corn in 1845, 30s.
or BIS. for the Indian corn Of the United States
IN Liverpool was considered a highly remune-
rating quotation. The latest figures this sea
son are Ais. for mixed lots and 52s. for white,
and the quantity which the market is taking is
to all appearances unlimited-at all events,
quite equal TO the present ability Of our sea.
board markets TO supply"