Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-04-30
The Effect in This Country Of a
European War.

European War.
There does not appear to be any reason
for entertaining doubt that there VIII I've
war between Russia and England in the
near future. The question that is now
being chiefly discussed is, how long viii
it probably be before hostilities will BE-
gin? Russia appears to have determined
upon war, and shows no disposition to
make concessions that would open the
way to a peaceful settlement OF her diff
ferences with England. On the other
honorably to avoid war, seems 10 regard
war as inevitable, and is preparing for 1t
with all the means at her command.
The impression is that a war between
these two great nations would be produc-
tive of beneficial results to all parts OF this
country except the cotton-prOducing sec
ton. Our imports from England amount
to something over 5000, 000,000 a year, and
our exports to that country to a little
more than $450.OO0,000 a year. IN the
event of war il is probable that there
would be great depression in English
manufacturing interests, and that the
surplus of her manufactured products,
part of which we get, would be placed
upon the market at reduced prices. AT
the same time the demand for food SUD
plies would be greatly increased, owing
to the waste that always occurs during
period of war. 1t is probable also that
the wheat supply from Russia and India,
while the war continued, would be greatly
diminished. The result of this state of
affairs, Of course, would be to increase
the demand for our wheat, and very
naturally the price OF it would advance.
The price would depend to a great extent
upon our ability to meet this demand.
The outlook is that the crop for this
year will be short. II would not be sur
prising, therefore, if the price should be
higher than it has been for many years.
The increased demand for0ur grain and
provisions would increase the business of
the railways leading from the interior to
the ports. ana railway stock would, in all
probability, advance. In fact there would
be increased activity in very many kinds
OF business. Doubtless orr securities
would be sought after in Europe because
they would be regarded as much safer
than those of any European nation,
since tie whole OF Europe might be
drawn into war.
OF course it would not make much diff
ference il We should lose the whole OF our
trade with Russia. 1t is not large. We
take only about 100000 Of Russia's ex-
ports annually, and send her about 500
600, 600 of our products. That amount Of
trade, if lost, would hardly be missed.
The south's cotton, however, would not
probably fare as well as it does now.
There would not, doubtless, be any dimi-
mutton Of the supply of cotton, and there
could hardly fail to be a falling off in
England's production of cotton goods
England has three-tifths of the spindles Of
the world, and if she were engaged in
great. exhausting and prostrating war,
she would not be able to handle as much
cotton as she now does. The prospect
that is offered to the cotton planters,
therefore, Is higher prices for what they
buy and lower prices for what they sell.
So firm is the opinion that war between
Russia and England is certain to occur
soon. that managers of great interests in
this country that would be affected by it
are beginning to prepare for it. War
talk does not influence values in this
country as it does in Europe, but actual
war win create marked disturbances in
our financial and commercial centers.