The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-12-01
States-and the existing situation is &C
counted for.
What do the bulls rely onl

II on anything, it must be on the re-
peatedly affirmed land deniedj stories of
snort supplies Of wheat in Russia and on
expectations that Germany, France and the
United Kingdom will become liberal pur-
chasers in our markets perforce late next
spring.
And right here comes the last question,
III with only an average wheat crop here
after year of unusual depletion of re-
serves, with extra requirements on the part
Oh countries depending largely upon i'm
ported wheat, and probable short supplies
In one Tor morel rural exporting countries
If, l say, with these favoring circum-
stances, we find England, for instance,
willing to buy spariugly, to let us carry our
STOCKS, where is the encouraging feature of
our prospects as a wheat grower in excess
OF home wants?
With out attempting to give a final an
swer, 1t may be well to consider this: SO
far as Russia and India and Argentine Re-
public are concerned. the cultivation of
wheat is is extending and conditions pre-
valllng there, such as cheap labor, cheap
land and fertile soils, that enable them to
compete In the aggregate, to a large extent,
with the United States. Australia, too,
has done considerable in this direction, and
promises to do more. Here we have cheap
transportation, the most improved means Of
sowing, cultivating and harvesting, and
restless, energetic population. Until quite
recently we have had an easy advantage
over would-be rival wheat exporting coun-
tries. and the question plainly presents it
self-are we to be permitted to retain this
supremacy, or is the Russian peasant, the
Indian ryot or the emigrant to South
America to shut out the intelligent,
well-equipped farmer in the great
western grain states of North America.
A few days ago learned that there are
Others giving their attention to this prob
lem. A gentleman of perhaps thirty years.
with rotund, ruddy face, German cast of
countenance, dark hair brushed back, but
which, cut short, stood straight up over his
head. few slight but well healed scars
about his cheeks and forehead, relics, posi-
bly,, of his days at a German University,
an erect, soldierly bearing and a manner at
once easy and refned-such a visitor handed
me letter of introduction. 1t read as
follows:
IMPERIAL GERMAN CONSULATE
GENERAL,
No. 2 Bowling Green;
"DEAR SIR:-Dr. George Rutland, the
bearer Of this letter, has been recommended
to me by the German government. His
object In travelling is to study the produc-
ton of grain in different countries, the
freight tariffs and other matters connected
Herewith. l must be greatly indebted
to you for any information or assistance
you would kindly give him" etc.
DR.. George Rutland proved to be a
charming talker and an enthusiast on the
subject which Prince Bismarck commits
stoned him to investigate. He has visited
Russia, India and Australia think he said
California-and thence to Now York on his
way home.
He wished for data as to the growth of
railway mileage, the telegraph, the gradual
decline in interest rates since 1858, the farm
mortgage business. and kindred topics, and
was soon supplied TO the extent of my
resources. Aside from official publications
and copies of one or two leading economic
publications, DR.. Rutland took an interest
in some papers by Edward Atkinson and
David A. Wells.
The German commissioner frankly sta ted
that the former prominence of the United
States as a wheat producer and seller in the
worlds markets, was not. in his opinion,
due, as commonly explained, to fertile
and cheap lands backed by pushing indi-
viduals. Those characteristics might have
little to do with it, but. if 80, the
United States is doomed as a competitor
with Russian and Indian wheat, for the
latter countries have vast regions of prao-
tically virgin sod, more fertile than our
own wheat lands, and to be had for little or
no expense. Our cheap freight rates
and elevated systems are important
factors, but India is pushing its rail-
ways and Russia and Argentine their in
terror storage elevators. The doctor is of
the opinion that the rapid extension of
wheat production in the United States, and
the ability to maintain it in the face of low
prices, is due primarily to the rapid flow of
capital to the soil in the form of loans. The
ease and facility with which the American
agrlculturist can borrow money to tide
him over poor seasons and to procure
machinery or other supplies, and the rela-
lively low rate of interest at which he can
accomplish this compared with farmers in
other lands, are regarded as the keynote to
the persistent fight which American wheat
growers have made against rivals favored
in the race by lower civilization, and
therefore few and inexpensive wants.
Just how the heavily mortgaged Ameri-
can farmer intends to escape his yoke, DIR.
Rutland did not have time to explain; but
his report to his government, when pub
lished, will prove OF special interest here.
The action of the German government In
sending DR.. Rutland on this mission Is in
direct line with the enterprise shown in It's
recognized and enlarged navy, and its
well-formed and, even to English minds,
quite imposing schemes for colonization.
The German first measures all his material,
counts the cost, plans his work down to the
last coat of polish, and then goes to work.
He is nothing if not thorough.
Taking the suggestion of the travelling
commissioner of the German government,
who has investigated causes of excessive
wheat production and the ability to sell it
in competition with semi-civilized peoples,
for what it is worth, how does it weigh
upon the wheat producing and exporting
conditions prevailing here, outlined above?
Within few years no radical changes
are promised. But the conclusion Is forced
home irresistibly that loans will not enable
the farmer to compete permanently against
conditions which involve cheaper land aud
lower cost of production. The Argentine
republic promised one day to become the
center of the great wheat belt of the Ameri-
ca S, probably in advance of Russias reach
ing any like prominence. Ten years from
now it is extremely doubtful whether we
cut as much of a figure in the worlds wheat
markets as last year. or as we now promise
to in 1890.
But with reduced domestic wheat area,
and a greatly increased population, the
question of the price of wheat assumes
new importance.
ALBERT c. STEVENS.
The Drum Major.
From the Terre Hdute Express.
With martial tread and naughty mien he leads