Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-09-29
How War in Africa Would Affect the United
States

States.
We are inclined to think that some
of our exchanges have taken too dark
view of the results of war in Africa
upon American trade and commerce.
Some of them, too, have asserted the
belief that the practical closing of this
great source of gold supply that would,
inevitably follow hostilities, would re-
suit in one of the greatest money
stringencies in the history of the
world. We DO not believe that such
gloomy forbodings as these are war
ranted by the logic of the situation.
Undoubtedly such war would bear
very heavily upon a large class OF
English investors; but this would not
necessarily have any bearing upon
affairs in this country-save possibly
as a few such investors might De
forced by losses N Africa to Withdraw
their American loans. The number of
these could not. in any event, De large
and there is no reason to believe that
would cause even a ripple on the sur
face of business life and enterprise in
this country.
Much stress has been laid by the
pronhets of calamity upon the fact
that South Africa now produces about
one-third of the worlds gold output,
and all sorts of gloomy predictions
have been made as to what would hap
pen if this source Of supply We're to be
, shut off The fact appears to have
been entirely overlooked by these mis-
anthropes that South Africa is by no
means the only source of gold supply.
This precious metal is found in many
other parts Of the world. The closing
Of the mines in South Africa would
simply result in increasing the supply
from other sources. and it is very
supply would be found to be seriously
diminished on that account. While the
output Of the Klondike the past year
has only been about $50, 900, goo it is
pretty evident that this could be. and,
in the natural course of events, will be
very largely increased. The product of
this country could also be largely in
creased. But such war would call
for the expenditure of Il large amount
of gold both by England ana the
TransvaaI. and the United States
might reasonably expect to secure
fair share of it. Last year this coun-
try sold South Africa goods to the
amount Of $S.OO0.O00 III excess OF our
imports from that country. We do
not think that any Intelligent observer
of events will question but what this
substantial balance Of trade in ols
favor would be largely increased in the
event Of war.
Indeed. looking at the question pure
ly from the cold standpoint Of self
interest, we have no doubt but what a
war in the Transvaal, while it would
IlIItpF0' l'li st Jul bNiiS uIpIi Ailt III lush
people, would give the United States a
very substantial increase Of trade.
War is always destructive 1t calls
thousands Of men, in the strength and
flower of their manhood from the
avenues Of production to become CON
$u,ners only. The very matter of subsist-
i,.r large armies in South Africa would
go L up a largely increased market for
american food products. The benefits
of this would be felt throughout the
whole country. But food is not the
only thing which neutral power may
properly supply to armies in the field.
Various manufactures-aside from or
diance-must always be provided in
large quantities. to say nothing of
horses and mules. Already England is
buying mules in this country in large
| numbers, and in the event of hostilities
there can be little doubt but what these
| purchases would be largely Increased.
| No. let US borrow no trouble about
| the impending conflict in South Africa.
| From a purely selfish and material
! standpoint wc cannot fail to reap
benefits from it. From the standpoint
Of humanity and Christian civilization
we can only hope and pray that exist
ing differences may be reconciled, and
| peace preserved.