Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-04-06


country upon a 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-
T lions than staple dry-goods.
The trade does not believe that many
large government contracts will be given
2 out for woollens and cotton goods, even
though war is declared
In answer TO an inquiry as to the effect
I, upon the dry-goods trade of a declaration
= of war, A. ID. Holmes, of II. Bauendahl &
: Co., says: "War will interfere with the
commercial body much as does a 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 its 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 a 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 a
noticeable effect on the West-Side mar
kets. Merchants are buying from hand
TO mouth and awaiting the outcome. IT
is the general impression that as soon as
matters are settled, no matter whether a
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
Of ind fFt
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 a general advance
viii be recorded. News comes from Bal
timore that canned pineapples are high |
or 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 TO 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 Of an amicable 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 1
extent, believing that the struggle. if it !
comes, will be of short duration
THINKS SPAIN is BLUFFING
Another prominent member OF the trade
firmly believes that although the situa-
tion is serious. the Spaniards will carry
on the blum game, and at the last. If !
"called," will turn down their hands /
and retire. The miscellaneous markets.
including metals. rubber. coal. naval
stores. oils paints, and colors, building
cordage, and hemp. and lutte
fibre, have all more or less suffered bv
the uncertain outcome of present inter-
complications Metals have
been particularly dull. and brokers and
dealers complain bitterly