The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-01-01
THE lNTELLlGENCER.
,lwIIEEL1Nc. JANUARY /. lsos.


The Year inst Closed.
The year 1897 which came TO 4 close
ut midnight. was filled with events OF
much significance to the historians OF
nations, and no other year for a genera
,tlon past has furnished SO much food for
the student OF events which has bear
ing upon the economic and political feat
ures Of history. While no event present.
Ing startling climax has occurred,
there has been much to attract the
worlds attention.
The most important developments that
have attracted the attention OF dlplo-
mats have been of recent occurrence, in
connection with the movement of Ger
many toward the extension of her colon
!al power, and the beginning OF the
drama that is now being enacted IN the
Orient. inaugurated by Germany, having
in view, It IS believed. the dismember-
ment Of the Chinese empire, which for
thousands Of years has stood separate
and apart from the remainder OF the
world. The part that is being taken in
the enactment Of this despo!lment by
Russia, England and France portends
developments during 1895. which may
produce marked changes In the map OF
the Old World, and results more startling
than were dreamed OF six months ago.
The movement is the beginning of 4 his
tory that will be of the greatest import
ance to the future of Europe, and may
not be altogether peaceful.
Germany's ambition to follow Eng
lands example and become great colo-
NAL power, and to become the CONNER
clal and political rival of Great Britain
has been manifest for some time, and
first cropped out near the close OF 1896,
in the Transvaal incident. The Grec.an-
Turkish outbreak afforded her another
opportunity, which she was quick to-
grasp, to serve notice upon England and
Russia that she recognized no superior,
power as the arblter OF the destiny OF Eu-
rope.
Aside from these events which have
been agitating European diplomatic cir
Giles, and other minor matters, such as
the Grecian-Turkish war and the recent
troubles In Austria, threatening an up
heaval OF great significance, have been
the changes which have taken place in
Spain, involving q reversal of tina: gov
ernmeIt's policy toward Cuba, and the
Inauguration OF u more humane course.
The attitude Of the United States was
largely responsible for this. anu at the
beginning OF the new year there are
hopes that the next few months will Wit
ness fair test of the attemp; Of Spain
to bring the war TO close, and to estab.
lsh system OF autonomy which will be
guarantee OF future peace. How well
the test will stand remains to be seen.
In regard 10 our own country the past
year has been one OF peace and growing
prosperity. The twelve months past
have witnessed the extension OF our for
elg2 trade and the benefits derived from
short crop in Europe. Il has been an
opportunity for the United States that
has been met rs no other country could
have met it. With bountiful crops, and
enough to supply the foreign and domes-
tic demand, the American farmers have
been the beneGciaries directly, and all
branches OF trade nave felt the quicken
Ing influence Of the extraordinary CON
ditions. This country has been furnish
Ing Europe with breadstuffs and draw
Ing European gold in return. The treas
ury OF the United States has had its gold
reserve increased, anG the money
that has gone into the cgri-
cultural regions OF the west has paid off
millions of dollars of mortgages and
given new Nfe and hope 10 the people.
But this Is not all OF the bes. o. the
industrial history 0. the country for 1897.
American manufacturers have Invaded
the markets OF the world as they never
have before, and have gained n prestige
from which Il Will be impossible to de-.
thronethem for years to come. Our iron
products are going 10 England. to Rus
sla and other European countries and
American manufacturers are undersell-
Ing the Iron masters OF continental Eu-
rope and England in their own markets.
Our exports for the year have reached. in
value, more than billion dollars.
Our domestic .rade has been largely In
creased IN volume. and in some lines has
far excccdri the figures OF the most pros
porous year % our previous history.
Railroad earnings have greatly in
creased. mills and factories all over the
country have ceased their idleness;
money Is to be had Cor the asking at low
rates OF interest; investors have not
been backward; gold discoveries In
Alaslta have contributed to the general
confidence IN the future. and. while there
has becnno boom. and there Is ss!ll room
for Improvement. none but the most con-
hrmcd pcsslmlst can see other Than an
encouraging outlook for the future.
The new tariff bill. which at FIRST failed
10 produce q sufficient revenue to meet
the expenses OF the government, owing
10 heavy advance imporls In anticipation
Dt5ncre1sed dulles. In each month PROV,