The herald., 1898-06-04

corn, and the total movement for the week
is a record breaking one for this period of
the year. Accompanying the decline in
wheat, however. the sympathetic fall in
oats and -four but corn is higher on crop
news and increased export demand.
Reports as to dstributive trade are en-
coura ging, and weak in spite of the vague
season. A hopeful feature IS the generally
reported good trade at retail. not only at
the west, but also east. where unfavorable
weather conditions have heretofore checked
the demand greatly. The volume of orders
already received for fall delivery by whole
salers is however, of such satisfactory pro-
portions as to lead to the impression that
the fall demand when it actually materi-
Allies, will be the best seen for years.
Reports from other industries continue,
on the whole. quite good. The movement
of iron and steel Is still of an immense vol
ume and the demand for agricultural i'm
plements has never been exceeded.
The rather better tone reported in some
branches of the cotton and wool goods in
dustries of late remains unimpaired, print
cloths having advanced again, while wool
remains firm
Wheat exports for the week reflect a
better export inquiry and larger shipments.
aggregating 5.24S ,0S6 bushels against 4,309,-
900 bushels last week, 100000 bushels in
this week a year ago, and 3,209,OOO bushels
in 1896
Business failures in the United States this
week show a sharp falling off, numbering
only 1S7. against 231 last week. 1872 in 1897,
and 1886 in 1896.
Business failures in the Dominion of Can
ada number 81, against Is last week, 81 in
this week a year ago, an 20 in 1896
Financial Review
Bradstreet's Financial Review tomorrow
will say:
A strong tone has been shown in last
weeks speculation and generally advancing
tendencies in prices have been accompanied
by increased activity. though a sharp reac-
ri foIIpma6 no hot ba
United States senate had adopted the meas
ure for the coinage of the silver seignior-
age. The upward movement in prices has
attracted considerable outside interest, but
in the more prominent stocks manpulative
influences and the work of bull cliques can
be detected. The strength of government
bonds (the new fours advancing from 1913,
bid to 123); the improvement in railroad
bonds, Indicating renewed activity on the
part of the investors and more or lesseSuy-
ing by London, have all been sustaining
factors, while in this connection the ease
of money must not be forgotten. The prin-
cipal influence continues to be the war. and
the street this week has been favorably
influenced by expectations that the block
aiding of the Spanish squadron at Santiago
will end in its destruction and capture and
bring about a restoration of peace. Ru-
mors of an actual victory in the same quar-
ter had naturally a decided bulish effect
on Wednesdays market, and. though the
alleged news was never verified. the market
did not exhibit any decided reactionary ten
dency. In fact, holders have been averse
to selling stocks, even to realize profits
and the professional bears are timd about
putting out shorts, doubtless because a
victory would result in an immediate and
sharp appreciation of prices. Attention is
given to the indications of an impending
breakdown of Span's chief and only fnan
cial support-the Bank of Spain-and the
east of the London money market has also
been to a certain extent an element in con.
nection with the existing bullish speculative
sentiment