Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-04-07

country upon fiat money basis after
e war IS declared and a war loan made
necessary. 1t is agreed that there can be
; no better investment under such condi-
ions than staple dry-goods
The trade does not believe that many
ldTSe government contracts will be given
out Tor woollens and cotton goods, even
though war is declared.
T In answer to an inquiry as IN the effect
upon the dry-goods trade of a declaration
, OF war; A. ID. Holmes of II. Bauendahl q
Co., says: War will interfere with the
commercial body much as does Il short
sickness with the human body. It's natu-
raj functions will be depressed for a time.
and then will come the convalescence.
The duration Of the latter will depend
| upon a number Of factors. but the bust
| ness community is prepared for the worst.
and will soon recover it's full strength. as
no one looks for a protracted struggle.
| businessmen fear war less than the pos
sible attendant plunging of the country's
| finances upon fiat money basis The
silver men in Congress are a constant
| menace 10 the stability Of the countrys
currency, and there IS no way Of gauging
their possible action if a war loan should
be called for after the declaration OF
war"
EFFECT on WEST-SIDE MARKETS.
The effect Of the uncertainty has had
noticeable effect on the West-Side mar
kets. Merchants are buying from hand |
TO mouth and awaiting the outcome. 1t |
is the general impression that as soon as |
matters are settled. no matter whether |
peaceful solution will be the result or the |
contrary. business conditions will imme-
diately improve SO far as can be learn
ed, the talk Of war has not influenced the /
price of any article except indirectly I'm |
that il has caused less activity, and |
hence such articles as would probably
advance in price under active trading by
reason Of the statistical position remain
unchanged.
The government has made some large
purchases Of canned meats and vegeta-
bles and dried fruits. In the event Of hos
Titles, more orders viii be forthcoming.
and i'm AN probability q general advance
viii be recorded. News comes from Bal
timore that canned pineapples are high
er there on account Of war talk. as the
raw material comes from the Bahamas.
which would be within a short distance
of the storm centre.
The drug trade is no exception 10 other
branches of mercantile affairs in the |
matter of discussing the effect of war
with Spain. Opinions of representative
men naturally do not agree but are all |
hOpeful or an amicaDle settlement of eV- !
listing differences, while hoping for peace |
and preparing for war. a leading chemi- !
cal manufacturer thinks that commerce !
will not be hampered to any important
extent believing that the struggle. if IL !
comes, will be of short duration.
THINKS SPAIN is BLUFFING.
Another prominent member OF the trade
irmly believes that although the situa- q
ion Is serious the Spaniards will carry
Dn the blum game. and at the last. If 5
called" will turn down their hands I ]
md retire. The miscellaneous markets. a
metals rubber. coal. naval {
tores. oils, paints, and colors, building a
material. cordage, and hemp. and tute Y
ibre, have all more or less suffered bv
he uncertain outcome Of present inter
ational complications. Metals have
een particularly duh. and brokers and i,
callers complain bitterly