Evening star., 1898-04-08
WARS EFFECT ON TRADE
All Goods Imported From Spain Will 60 Up
in Price.
Talk Of HOstilities Has Caused n Biz,
Shortage I'm the Paper
BUSINESS.

special Correspondence OF The Evening Star.
NEW YORK, April Z. 1s9s-Following the
line of investigation into the effect the war
would have upon the business interests of
the country, your correspondent has infor-
nation concerning channels of commerce
not previously covered in this column. War
or no war; talk of impending ihostilities has
seriously affected many branches of busi-
ness. and dealers in nearly every commod-
ity will welcome cessation of belligerent
gossip and a consequent settling Of dis
turbed commercial conditions.
Glassware and crockery dealers are among
those who have been wishing a speedy ad-
justment of the troubles between the United
States and Spain.
Mr.. Kirc hberger, vice president of the
crockery board of trade, says: What will
be accomplished in our trade under the first
year of the new tariff remains to be seen.
While the importing business started fairly
we'll, the past two months depression occa-
stoned by the Spanish inbroglio makes it
doubtful whether the present year will rep
resent a fair average The United States
manufactures crockery ard glassware very
largely at present. The greatest stimulus
ever. given American crockery manufactur-
ers was afforded by the Wilson bill. when
they were put upon their own metal to de-
sign, manufacture. and finish in competf-
tion with the foreigner. The present duty
Of 60 per cant gives ample opportunity to
maintain the advantage and improve upon
it.
Effect on Paper Trade.
A declaration of war will develop peculiar
conditions in the paper trade. During the
past few weeks. which has bean an era of
extras" the demand for news paper has
increased so enormously that the supply is
already short. and prices have taken big
iumn- IF hOSfififieS berin and activity
be increased, those newspapers which have
neglected to contract for their supply for a
year or more will be compelled to curtail
their issues and keep their consumption
down to the amount available. Almost 81
multa neously with the introduction of wood
pulp In the process of manufacture and the
consequent increase in output, publications
were enlarged in size and mora editions
printed. so that the consumption has nearly
equaled the supply. Now the question
arises, how can the deficiency be made up
II the demand is greatly increased: Deal
ers say the amount now produced cannot be
materially increased within short time If
the demand Was to keep up. of course addi-
tioral mills would be erected, but this
would require many months, and a plant
begun now might not he finished before
Spain had been whipped to a standstill, and
In that case the capital invested would be
tied up in an industry for the output Of
which there would be no market
Much Paper Exported.
For some months past this country has
exported average of $50 tons of white
news paper per day. Much of this amount
Is contracted for regular shipment for some
time to come, and consequently the foreign
trade must be supplied, even if there is
shortage in the amount required for home
consumption. England is the largest buyer
of the product, and Japan also takes it in
large quantities. The daily output of news
n he nj tat is
the recently organized combine known
the International Paper Company controls
13GO tons of it. Several large Pacific coast
mills are not connected with this company
The combine includes nineteen of the big
gest mills in the world, located principally
in New York and New England. Manager
Dillon of the International company says
I'VE have been obliged to refuse transient
orders of late; In fact, there is shortage
of 200 tons per day in this market and our
mills are running up to their full capacity
Ihe use or news paper will have to be re-
stricted to point where the supply will
reach Nearly all Of the output of the mills
We control Is contracted for by the YEAR by
big consumers, and we cannot therefore
benefit greatly by any raise in price occa-
stoned by the increased demand
Activity In Hide Market.
The possibilities Of war have enlivened
the hide market materially. The transac-
tons in common hides are larger than they
have been before in several months Tan
ners are beginning to appreciate the fact
that in the event of hostilities the field of
operations would probably be on the Span
ish main, and that the receipts of hides
from the countries bordering on it would be
restricted or cut off entirely. The tanners
of this country depend to considerable ex-
tent on obtaining raw material from Mex
leo. Central America, the United States of
Colombia and Venezuela, and with the
present small supply on hand there would
be an immediate scarcity if receipts were
stopped from these important hide-produc-
ing countries.
An importer Of Hcorice root and other
Spanish products, in discussing the relation
OF war to his business, said: while ear
nestly hoping for an amicable settlement of
existing differences between our country
and Spain, the outlook is serious. In the
event of hostilitfes, all Spanish products
will probably be higher. mainly on account
of the increased cost to import, the addi-
tfonal expenses being increased by the ne
cessity for shipping goods from neutral
ports. Several thousand bales of licorice
root have been purchased by manufactur-
Ing consumers on account of present condi-
t1ons, but prices have not advanced, owing
to the fact that the available stock is large
fully one years supply being now on hand.
Should the expected struggle be a long ons
prices would undoubtedly advance"
Olives Will Go Up.
dealer in olives, etc. said: 'The supply
OF Spanish olives in this country is prob
ably ample for some time to come and do
not expect an immediate advance in case of
war. We formerly imported and sold cork
bark, but the trust now controls the busi-
ness so largely that we have given it up,
and can say nothing about the visible sup
ply or probable advance. It is, however,
probable that war might increase the cost
Of this Spanish product. Spanish licorice
root, the best in use, is likely to be affected
somewhat"
A prominent tea dealer said: 1.-THE market
Is very excited and strong, and a general
advance Of 2 cents per pound may be ac-
knowledged, which advance. in my opinion,
Is likely to be doubled soon, owing to the
belief that duty will be imposed on teas
forthwith to meet war expenses
An Act of Spain.
In the harbor on that night,
While Havana was a-light
And the sidewalks were alive with LAUGHING
throngs,
Lay our battle ship the Maine
Where n fortnlr ht eha had 1efn