The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1870-07-13
European War as Affecting American
Commerce and Finance.
FFom tie MesO York TINES.

From tie New York Times.
Every recent European war hAs mate
rally affected American commerce, nor
can any considerable event in the way Of
war, pestilCnce or famine occur in Europe
without largely and directly influencing
our own affairs. The Irish famine Of
1867 reused commerce from It's lctlargy
crowded the ports Of the great lakes with
shipping, built cities in western swamps,
bridgcd the Erie Canal. with q raft Of con-
tinu0us boats laden with grain, and added
Immensely to the treasures Of our city
and State, and Of their great lines OF trans.
portation, The Crimean war gave US a
similar impulse By cutting off the sup.
ply of wheat from the Baltic, 1t re.opened
the marts Of Chicago, Buffalo, and Oswc-
20. The Prusso-A Austrian conflict which
ended at Sadowa, brief as it was, had a
similar effect. Indeed, experience teaches
us that new European war at this mo.
mcnt would materially affect our home in
forests, ind that in several important re-
spects. '''. - i,.L
Both France and England have suffered
from drouth, and will be purchasers in
the grain markets Of tho United States.
Already the peril Of short crop in France
I Is 80 evident that the Government has
adopted decisive measures to cheaper the
prices Of grain-measures which have
lad the effect ofaugmenting prices hero.
Taking into account this scarcity, which
was a recognized fhct before the new pros
pect ofwar, and remember the effect which
both must have upon the producing power
Of all Western Europe, and we have fl.
ture before US which calls for careful
preparation. In France, especially, the
surplus crop Is too small TO iced the na-
ton in the most prosperous years. Lessen
it by CONSUMPTION, ravagc its fields by the
waste OF the march Of armies, whether
friendly or hostile, and the demand for
American grain, which promised 10 be
large, must become immense. It's effects
my be summed up in rich West, with a
vast purchasing power, awaking every
avenue of trade, and whitening tho seas
with its cAgerly.sought products.
There Is, of course, IN Offset to all this.
The brief PrussO- Austrian war seriously
injured, and almost broke, tho market in
Germany for American securities, and
considerable amounts of Fivc-Twentics
were rc.sllipped to this country. Gold
went up, and there was q renewed rcck'
less spirit Of speculation. Tho same con-
ditiOns exist now as tlien, save that we
have far higher national credit, and are
assured beyond doubt Of being able to
maintain It. The power Of tho Treasury
at Washington 10 Illustrate tho plans oil
the gold gamblers ut any time is another
consideration which should bo also borne
in mind. H fdn Il
We only mention these facts as suggest.
i've with regard to what may occur h
Europe. There may be no war. Without
1t, we mny go on as VIC are, getting out Of
debt with unnecessary Apldity. With 1t
we have great opportunities and also dan
gers Of a certain kind. Our business men,
therefore, should begin TO look TO what is
providing against possible incon.
vcnicnce, and preparing to avail them
selves Of tic great opportunities which
European war would afford.