Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-05-12
WAR HELPS TRADE
BUT APPREHENSION OF IT
HURTS
lnvisorating Effect OF Dewey's Victory
at Manila-Ccnfidence in Americas
Navy Strengthens American Indus
tries and Interests-Causes OF
Wheat Bulge Explained.

New York, May 7.-R. G. Dun says
that a state of war was so greatly
dreaded by those who had seen moth
ing like it for more than 80 years that
its coming has hurt less than its
apprehension. Specially since the
victory at Manila, which indicated the
superiority Of the American navy the
expectation that war will not last long
has influenced all markets, and stocks
have advanced. The general condi-
ton of business has been materially
improved. The one days work by the
officers and men at Manila has given
many days work to thousands OF peo-
pie at home of whom they knew moth
ing, and placed all American indus
tries and interests on a stronger foot
ing for any conceivable future. The
most sensational Of all changes, and
the most practically important, has
been the rise in wheat-13 cents dur
ing one days session. The remark
able rise Thursday was largely due to-
the removal of duties by France and
to the prohibition of exports by Rus
STA, both showing extraordinary needs
abroad, so that the rise of 2512 cents
for the week is not without excuse.
The industries have received a won
derful stimulus from the conviction
that hostilities will not last long and
from heavy government orders. Be-
sides great demand for iron products
hA hon
ordered 100000 yards OF wooleB
cloths, 1000 blankets, 100000 yards
of cotton goods, great quantities OF
provisions and other supplies. and
meanwhile reviVing confidence has
multiplied other demands. Orders
from the Russian government for two
big warships have been taken by the
Cramps, and others for rails from
Mexico have given good start to iron
works. Four large merchant ships
have been ordered from the Delaware
works; the plate mills are crowded
and one establishment far in the In
terror is bidding On foreign order
for 5000 tons, while car and rail works
continue to receive large orders, and
demands for agricultural implements
and fencing go far beyond the ability
Of the works. Woolens declined about
half a cent in April. Print cloths
have again made new low record.
$1.94 cents, but a better market is
seen for ether cotton products. The
failures in the United States for the
Bradstreet's says that evidence &C
cumulate that a corner has finally BEEN
turned in the trade situation and cir
cumstances which hitherto have BEEN
regarded as disquieting have begun
to give way to more cheerful condi-
tons or are beginning to be recognized
in a truer and more reasonable light.
A new sense Of the national strength
and energy seems unquestionably to,
have developed since the news of the
American victory at Manila and the
business community appears to have
come to the conclusion that the pos
sible effects of the present war have
already been discounted. Among
the more favorable features is the
easier tone in the money market ano
a very general feeling Of recognition
J of the critical position Of Wheat sup
plies in the lowyerins Or suspension
of import wheat duties, notably in
Italy, France ard Spain. Prices both
at the seaheard and in the interior
J have broken all the records for many
years past, while the eagerness of for.
eigA Buyers to take hold at an advance,
! furnishes testimony to the fact that
Wheat stocks are smaller than for
many years past. The wheat exports.
for the week aggregated 2,478,7 IT'S.
bushels against 1,799,000 for this,
week a year ago and 1,8S2,0OO i'll 1896.
/ Corn exports have been larger than
! for more than year, aggregating
! 6,164,0e0 bushels against 1927, 900 last
year and 1891 900 in 1896, The total
bank clearings in the principal cities
of the United States for the week
; were $1,176, 728, LOGAN increase of B.
per cent. compared with the CORE
spending week last year.