The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-13
WHEN THE WAR ENDS
There VIII BE a Mighty Expansion OF
the Souths Foreign Trade.


BALTIMORE. MD, May 12.-Special.-
The conclusion of hostihties with Spain
will give the South an impetus in COM
merce hardly 10 be appreciated at pres
ent. with each blow by the United
States Navy for the ending of the war
many questions arise about the erect
upon the United States. Most Of the
coniectures, aside from those connected
with naval and military movements, deal
viii commerce and its allies. and the con-
sensus OF opinion is that the termination
Of hostilides will mean mighty eXpan-
son Of our foreign trade. There are
abundant reasons why this should be
so. OF old It was said that commerce
follows the flag. In the case Of this
country commerce has been rather ahead
Of the flag during the past twenty years
hut when the flag has been triumphantly
carried in both hemispheres We must look
for a rapid development OF The CONNER
cial interest
Commenting on this situation as it az
fects the South, the Manufacturers Re
cord says ITO avail itself of the oppOr-
tunities I'm the new conditions created by
the navy. a strong position in the East
the command of the South and the COM
pletion OF the Nicaraguan Canal Of great
est moment TO the South. this country
ping II may have been an advantage
during the war that less than Is per
cent Of our commerce was carried in
American bottoms. but that advantage
viii amount to practically nothing should
the other nations which have done the
great bulk OF our carrying trade feel
called upon, as not impossible, to engage
I'm demonstrations designed 10 counter
act prestige Of this country. II so hap
pens that the balance Of force in Europe
has been so delicate that no iirst-class
nation has felt able 20 interfere I'm the
contest between the United States and
Spain. but IL should be remembered that
n has not been many weeks since as.ute
Statesmen Of England. Germany and Aus
tria were prophesying calamity TO their
respective countries. because Of the
growing competition Of American indus
tries and commerce. The conclusion Of
the present war viii undoubtedly give
them more reason than ever 10 indulge
IN ieremiadS on the same line, and the
enlargement Of our naval force will be
calculated 20 increase the occasion where
by diplomacy may substitute a. conflict
OF arms as a mask for commercial com
petition. In such an event the United
States might be very much crippled by
reason OF its dependence upon foreign
Building interests should be rapidly al q
Tanced. Here is great opportunity
for the South. Expanding commerce
should mean a growth OF the gulf and
SOcth Atlantic ports commensurate with
their favorable location and their facli-
ties for communication with the interior
OF the country; but. in addition 10 the
purely trading advantages. more than
one Of these Southern ports should be-
come great as a ship-bulder
I'm the early days OF wooden vessels
the South grew content TO supply the
raw material for shipbuilding and for the
outward-bound commerce. That attitude
was largely responsible for the decay OF
southern ports In comparison with those
North OF the Delaware capes.
"A study OF the manifestations OF the
twenty years before the war between the
States will impress one with this fact
The lessons taught by past experiences
should be taken 10 heart and adapted 10
changed conditions The past fifteen or
twenty years have been marked by revo-
buttons IN the South Before the war
there were many far-seeing men IN that
section who appreciated the opportunities.
Dudley Mann with his scheme for an
ocean steam ferry between the Norfolk
basin and Milford Haven WAS carrying
out ths theory OF Commodore Meury,
who rot only was the pathfinder OF the
seas for navy. but was also alive 10 the
commercial possibilities OF his section
sad who pointed the way 10 trade with
eouth America The great lines OF rail-