Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1877-05-12
The Effect Of the War in this Country.

Though our commercial relations
with the two bellgerents are compare
lively insignificant, the clash of arms in
| the East can not but have an immediate
and considerable bearing upon Ameri-
can commerce. OF late years Russia,
and Turkey and her appanages, have
furnished England and the Continent
principally England-with an average
yearly supply of grain. amounting in the
aggregate to about 100000 bushels.
This supply will not only be cut off, but
the two belligerents, with probably to-
gether not less than million and a half
of men in the field 10 feed, will be con-
stantly in the market As buyers Of grain
and provisions.
ANY grain deficiency in Europe. arts
ing from war or other causes, must be
substantially supplied by the United
States. Owing to perfected system of
cheap rail and water transportation
from the grain-growing districts of the
West to the Atlantic sea-board, Ameri-
can grain has of late years steadily
crowded Russian cereals from British
markets. In the present instance no
other grain-growing country can sue
cessfully compete with us in supplying
an extraordinary demand for breadstufis
for military consumption. This enlarged
export of grain and provisions promises
more money to our agricultural classes,
increased 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 50
rapidly during the last eighteen months,
will be increased by the Russian-Turkish
war As Vet there is no demand for
American fresh beef upon the Continent.
but it is understood that several specu-
lators are now abroad with the intention
of introducing it; and we have heard
that the German steamers will soon be
fitted up with refrigerators for the eX-
port Of fresh beef, the same as the En-
glish steamers now are. The expectation
of beef first commenced in October, 1879,
with shipment of $4,000 pounds from
this port, which had increased to $780,
$50 pounds valued at SSH, 1922 in
March last. The consumption of Ameri-
can beef in England has surprised the
most sanguine shippers on this side.
Within the last AZ hours the largest
shipper of fresh beef in this town has
received telegram from a 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 fror, this country is likely soon to
become Il great feature of our interna-
tional trade.
But while war will probably increase
our sales offood products, it will to very
nearly the same extent check the con-
sumption of cotton, petroleum, and 9th
er raw materials, for which Europe
looks chiefly TO us. AT the same time
the existing prostraiion of trade abroad
must be greatly augmented by the clos
ing of European markets, and large
lines of certain descriptions of manufac-
tured goods must be shipped to this coun-
try and sold for the most they Will bring.
American markets will become outlets
for whatever is unstable in the great
centers of European trade, and import
cd goods will fall in value here, a decid-
ed gain TO the great mass of the people,
those who consume tea, coffee and eli
gars, as well as to the wealthier 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 Brit
ish, French, and German goods forced
off Fat ruinous prices.
Yet, while our trading and CONNER
cial interests will be variously, and not
always beneficially, affected by war in
Europe, our financial condition will be
strengthened and improved. Our Gov
eminent securities will be free from the