The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1877-05-24
The Effect of the War In this Country.

The Eject or the war IN TINS Country.
Though our commercial relations with
the two belligerents are comparatively
insignificant, the clash of arms IN the
east can not but have an immediate and
considerable bearing upon American com
merce. OF late years Russia, and Turkey
and her appanages have furnished Eng.
land and the principally
England.-with average yearly supply of
grain, amounting in the aggregate to
about $4,000, 900 bushels This supply
will not only be cut of, but the two
belligcrents, with probably together not
less than million and half of men in
the field to feed, will be constantly in
the market as buyers of grain and pro,
visions.
Any grain deficiency in Europe, aris.
ing from war or other causes must be
substantially supplied by the United
states Owing to a perfected system of
cheap rail and water transportation from
the graingrowing districts OF the west
to the Atlantic sea board, American
grain has of late years steadily crowded
Russian cereals from British markets.
In the present instance no other grain
growing country can successfully com.
pete with us in supplying an extraordi
nary demand for breadstuh3 for military
consumption, This enlarged export of
grain and provisions promises more
money to our agricultural classes, in.
creased activity to railroad business, and
a probably revival to some other branches
of industry.
The sending abroad of dressed meat
and live stock, which has grown 80 rapidly
during the last eighteen months, will he
increased by the Russian Turkish war.
AS yet there is no demand for American
fresh beef upon the continent, but it is
understood that several spectators are
now abroad with the intention of intro
ducing it; and we have heard that the
German steamers will soon be fitted up
with rcIrgerators for the export of fresh
beef, the same as the English steamers
now arc. The expectation Of beef first
commenced in October 1879, with a ship.
ment of $4,000 pounds from this port
which had increased to 6,262, ,3j5 pounds
(valued at S5l7, 1922 in March last. The
consumption OF American beet in Eng
land has surprised the most sanguinc
shippers on this side. Within the last
rs houis the largest shipper of fresh beef
in this town has receiyeda telegram from
well known and responsible English
house, offering to take all his shipments
at sixpence per pound Ca little over II
cents laid down in Liverpool. War and
war rumors have increased England's
needs in this direction. The expectation
of fresh meat from this country is likely
soon to become great feature of our in.
ternational trade.
But while war will probably increase
our sales OF food products, it will to very
nearly the same extent check the con
sumption OF cotton, petroleum, and other
raw materials, for which Europe looks
chiefly to us. At the same time the exist
ing prostration Of trade abroad must be
greatly augmented by the closing of
European markets, and large lines of Ger,
tain descriptions OF manufactured goods
must be shipped to this country and sold
for the most they will bring. American
markets willbecome outlets for whatever
is unstable in the great centers of
European trade, and imported goods will
fall in value here, a decided gain to
the great mass of the people, those who
consume tea, coffee and cigars, as well rs
to the Weather classes who drink foreign
wines, dress in broad-cloth and silks, and
indulge in expensive European luXuries.
Our manufacturers will probably be
shorn of a portion Of their profits by the
great influx of British, French and
German goods forced off at ruinous
prices.
Yet, while our trading and CONNER.
cial interests will be variOusly, and not
always beneticialIy, affected by war in
Europe, our financial condition will be
strengthened and improved. Our Gov
ernmcnt securities will be free from the
distrust attaching to the great borrowing
nations of Europe, any of which are likely
to be drawn into the conflict. 1t is not,
from present appearances, probable that
the struggle will long be confined to
Russia and Turkey. Prudent European
investors will, therefore, naturally single
out United States bonds, now prominent.
lv and iavorably known in all European
money markets, as least likely to be
effected by the contingencies OF the war,
and as presenting every guarantee Of
safety. In the main, the war will benefit
us both commercially and financially,
though probably not 10 any astonish-
inr extent 80 Nrw lOrk SIM.