The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1877-05-24
springfield Ul.D journal.
The European War and
AmeYicanIntereStS.

Mr.. Caleb Gushing, the late Ameri-
can Minister to Spain, has been Civ
ing some opinions in reference to
the effect of the European war upon
American interests, which, in view Of
the high character of their author
and his extensive opportunities for
observation, Will be of interest to
American readers. His language is
substantially as follows:
'That the war must result in great good to our
country. There is however, no necessity for the
large advance on flour; that is speculative. II the
fight should be confined to Russia and Turkey, the
demand for breadstus will even then be heavy, for
the Russians viii not permit oil their cereals TO be
exported while they are at war. and besides the
producing classes viii have to Join the army. il
threatens TO be a great war. If England gets into
it, then will come our opportunity to recuperate
our commerce. We viii have to provide some way
by which we can gather in the English commercial
marine under Oir nag. II Is sdeEtined e. be Aueri-
cas- chance. and we must avail ourselves OF It.
REssia and Turkey were never better prepared for
long struggle. so far as men, arms and provisions
are concerned
The above is, undoubtedly, a very
fair and intelligent epitome of the
European situation, as it affects
American affairs. The stake which
America has in the conflict, apart
from considerations of a sentimental
character, is chiefly, if not wholly,
based on it's anticipated effect on our
industrial and commercial interests.
In this we do not mean to under
rate the interest which may be felt
in the cause of popular or religious
iberty-if these may be said to be IN
volved in the contest in any way-or
the popular revulsion against the i'm
mense bIoodshed in which such
war must result. We refer, however,
to the effect upon the material pros
ptrity of the country.
That our industrial and CONNER
ciaI enterprises Will be greatly stim-
ulated by a protracted war is the
teaching of all experience. Nearly
all classes of business in Europe felt
the stimulating effects of our stu
pendous struggle from 1861 to 1865,
and Europe grew rich on our mis-
fortunes. The first class of indus
tries to feel the effect will be the ag
ricultural, in consequence Of the
withdrawal of so large a portion Of
the agricultural population Of East
ern Europe from the ranks of the
producers to those Of consumers. In
fact, this effect is already apparent,
though as Mr.. Gushing says, the ad-
vance in price is speculative rather
than based on an increased demand.
Next the effect will be seen upon the
trade in arms and ammunition, and
afterwards in other classes Of manu-
factures demanded for European
consumption, or the supply Of which
from Europe for this country will be
affected by the war. Should Eng
land be drawn into the struggle, then
our home industries and foreign com
merce will receive the very highest
stimulus, for the reason that Eng
land is at once our greatest rival,
both on the seas and as a manufact-
uring nation.
Still it is sad to contemplate the
waste of life and sacrifice Of treas
ure which must follow a prOtrcted
war, and however great the advan
tages we may receive from the dis
turbance of the ordinary channels Of
trade, the world, as q whole, will be
the poorer as the result.