The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-09-10
FRESHET EXPECTED TO-DAY.
FEARED THAT 1T WILL COMPLETE
THE RUIN OF THE RICE CROP.

Advices From intermediate Points
Indicate That There Is "a Large
Volume of Water - American Con-
troll of Cuba and Porto Rico, 1t Is
shown, win Open the Way for
Great Expansion of the Rice Indus
try In This section-FOrty ThOus-
end Acres of Rice Lands Lying TN
Used Might Again BE Brought I'm
der Culture.
The freshet coming down the Savannah
river from Augusta is expected to arrive
at Savannah to-day, but the full effect
Of it is not expected before tomorrow.
The freshet banks of the rice plantations
have been repaired and strengthened in
readiness to resist the pressure from the
enormous volume of water understood 10
be making its way down the stream, but
it is feared that this precaution will be
of no avail, as the information from points
along the river leads to the impression
that the rise in the river will be sufficient
to overflow the banks and flood the fields.
Rice men calculate from what they know
of the hight of the river at Augusta and
the news that comes from intermediate
points that the freshet is equal to 35
feet Two days with the river at Augusta
at 2S.4 feet, followed by two days with its
hight there at us feet, is said to be equiv
alent to IS feet down here.
Advices show that the wharves where
steamers stop down to a point within forty
miles of the city, are overfowed by the
freshet, making It impossible to make
landings. While there may be some ex-
aggeration in the intelligence received,
there is no question that there is good
ground for the apprehensions of the rice
planters. AS has been stated in the News
before, another overflow at this time
means practically the wiping out of what
is left of the rice crop along the Savannah
river On the Ogeechee river the water
has not gone down from the plantations.
the very high water in that stream con-
tinuing an unusually long time, showing
the great area over which the heavy rains
of recent days fell
Much interest has been aroused among
rice men by the statement made by Mr. l.
Is. IIedeman as to the proba bilities of
vast GApdtlSlOu OIL the rice industry IN thlS
country as a result of the annexation of
Porto Rico and American control of Cuba
with its probable annexation In the future.
gentleman thoroughly familiar with the
rice situation, local and general, said yes
terday that Mr.. Tiedeman had erred in his
statement only in being too conservat tive.
Il am informed from a reliable New
York house." said he, "that not only Por-
to Rico, but Cuba is an enormous con-
sumner of rice, the total demand for the
article in both islands being about three
times greater than the entire production of
the United States at present The posi-
billties that are opened up with these mar
kets In our control must be apparent to
every one. AT present there are arbitrary
duties imposed by the Spanish govern
ment, as / understand, that would shut us
out, but that win soon be a thing of the
past Porto Rico will soon be the same as
an American slate so far as free trade be-
tween it and ports of the United States Is
concerned, and foreign rice coming In
there viii be subject to the same tariff
tax as that entering this country while our
rice viii be free of duty the same as
though it were shipped TO New York
Sooner or later the same conditions
will probably exist in Cuba, which we ALL
in our hearts, believe will eventually be
| annexed to the United States. With the
tariff properly maintained on rice this will
nifty for the development of this great in
dustry that could be desired. 1t will,
| believe, give value 10 the old deserted
rice fields throughout this section, stimu-
! lating their conversion to their Old pur-
poses, and put the rice growing industry
| back into Its former status as one of the
most important factors in the prosperity
of the people of this section. Why, at one
| lime Savannah alone received over 1000 900
| bushels of rice from its own territory, and
there were five rice mills here which pros
pered. There are probably 10000 acres of
good rice fields which have been allowed
10 fall into disuse through the industry
| becoming Improbable by the absence of
a proper protective tariff. We have got
a fairly good duty on the article now, and
with the new great markets of Cuba and
Porto Rico thrown open to us there is no
reason why, In a few years, every bit OF
this immense area should not again be
under cultivation. 1t would be a big thing
for not only Savannah, but for Charles
ton as well 1t would give employment to
thousands of negroes. would bring large
sums of money here and would add mate
rally to the business interests of the city
II do not believe there will ever be a
! cessation of a reasonable duty on rice
again. There Is every reason why the in
dustry should be encouraged, and l have
no doubt that it will be properly protect
ed by Congress. With the duty maintain
ed and with these new markets at our
doors there would be every hope for the
| industry being revived and restored to its
old time importance"