The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-06-10
CORN FOR EUROPE.
Efforts to Introduce 1t in the
Continental Markets.
BIG FIELD FOR GRAIN PRODUCTS.
An Americans Observation on His Trav-
Movement to Capture Trade.


asked to give an interview upon the eco
nomic relations between the United States
and Europe. He said:
you want my views on the economic
question of Europe? With pleasure. Let
Us begin in medias res The cereal ques-
ton is doubtless one of the most interest
ing to all countries, and / contend that
We can no longer afford to ignore our
chances in the International relations
of today. At the time when
our supplies were not beyond our
needs, our revenues were small in proper
ton. But within the past twenty-five
years the export trade has assumed large
proportions and / have had most excep-
tional opportunities in my travels through
entire Europe to observe its progress.
When the first exporters sent wheat
abroad they did 50 on consignments. The
shippers were willing to pay unusually
large commissions to Liverpool, Hamburg
and Antwerp houses. This led to mar
ket for this commodity. Pretty soon the
conditions became reversed, and our mer-
chants even fastidious in the character Of
remittances, frequently exacting payment
before the cargo reached its destination.
Other bulk articles such as bacon. lard and
meats of all description were placed on
the European market in similar manner.
Money in the shape of free consignments,
agencies and missionaries of all descrip-
tions invaded Europe, and the result was
large clientage for those special things
also.
"Not to speak of minor articles. let me
tell you that one of the greatest problems
ever undertaken was the recent introduce
ton of Indian corn into Europe. This
cereal question just now happens at the
most opportune moment. Before the
Franco-German war Europe was much
divided on economic matters OF all
kinds. Our country, its polt-
ical, social and particularly commercial
systems was then not SO familiar to the
commercial centers of Europe, and even
more of q mystery to the body polite.
Our pioneers in commerce were equally
unfamiliar with Europe's needs. customs
and habits, and consequently many foun-
dered on the rocks of ignorance. By per-
sistent efforts and the march of time, in
fiuenced largely by political and So
cial organizations which have been
created since 1872, together with the
broadening of international courtesies,
has brought US to the threshold of new
problems and some of the first to see
clearly and distinctly present duties and
future possibilities were representative
men as Hon. Secretary Rusk, B. F.
Thurber. of New York city: Senator Pad
dock, Congressman Hatch and others
who, by taking the bull by the horns, to
use a common phrase, decided on what is
destined to live in history as one of the
most patriotic measures-the introduction
of maize Undian corn) to the people Of
Europe.
''Aside from the desirable qualities of
this cereal Germany, for example. cannot
well do without it. l admit that Ger
many, in common with other old coun.
tries, still clings to old habits. The Ger
man Is particularly partial to everything
that has stood the test of time, on the
principle let we'll enough alone Since
1872, however, he has changed in many
respects. The increase in populations;
stagnation in business, and the ever-grow.
ing taxes have compelled him to look for
business abroad. Like the Scandinavian
heis frugal and Industrious. not inventive,
perhaps, but largely initiative. Once con-
WINGED of good investment he embraces
the opportunity and makes a sue
cess out of 1t. Oh, yes; you are
right. There are old preiudices to
overcome; sectional jealouses, objections,
the fruits of different minds, etc. But
this can be combatted successfully by the
agents who are familiar with the habits,
aspirations, resources and needs of the
Germans. Germany as matter of fact
needs annually, even with good harvests,
one-fifth of her cereal supplies from some
where. Hitherto she has imported rye
from Russia and even from Canada. Since
the death of Alexander III. and William I.
the relations between the two countries
have become very strained. This has
been aggravated by Russia's foreign policy
since 1872 The work of the Pan-Slayic
party now in power; the political as
cendancy of Germany, the reformation of
the continent and Southern Europe gener-
ally, has stirred the gall of the Muscovite,
and as there are at present, and possibly
for many years to come, no strong men at
the helm of the affairs of Russia, and the
Germans are now powerful in political
organization, and neither will submit to
coercion or to bullying, commercial rela-
tons between the two countries must con-
tinue to drift farther apart. This state of
affairs and its possibilities more than
aught else induced German legislators,
usually alert and reasoning, to adopt the
recent commercial treaties of the drei-
bund, the wisdom of which cannot we'll
be questioned.
''In this political situation of Europe was
the effort made to introduce cereal most
adapted to replace the importations from
Russia and elsewhere. Simultaneous
with the supply of her needs, as q matter
of convenient revenge. let Us say. united
Germany is thereby offered competitive
article which even in prosperous seasons,
or restored relations with her neighbor.
will still continue to affect the economic
question: Which is the cheapest in
point of nutriment? Although the army
of Germany, consisting of half million
picked men with healthy digestion, will
undoubtedly become a solid Gus
toner. there yet remains the far
more important peasantry. nearly three
fourths of her vast population, some
81, coo. 000 who. compelled 10 live on the
lowest possible wages. will find q
piece of corn bread and slice of bacon
verirable Luculisn meal. More
than this, the Germans are a commercial
people. largely enterprising, as shown by
their industries along the Spanish
main, years before the English
ever thought of it. The Ger
man merchants, once thoroughly
satisfied, Will carry this cereal into other
countries. such as Bulgaria, Roumania.
and even Servia, etc. The climate of
these countries is particularly favorable to
the nourishing qualities of corn baead, as
IS also the whole OF Scandinavia
IL.