The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-06-22
LOOK FOR A BOON
End of War in South Africa
TO Inaugurate One.
VIEW OF AN EXPERT
His Fear Only That Prosperity
Will be 0verdOne.
VIEW OF AN EXPERT


already begun. The exports from the
United states to Africa in April. the lat
est month for which details or our ex-
ports have yet been received by the
Treasury Bureau Of Statistics, were
greater than those to all South America,
and were more than 50 per cent greater
than those of April in the preceding year.
For the ten months ending with April
1892 they amounted to $2s,956,l7s, against
So, 87e, 1873 in the corresponding ten months
of the fiscal year 1901. and sl5.S5S.28s in
the corresponding months Of 1890. The
chief increase of course is to British
Africa. To British Africa, which takes
about s. per cent of our exports to
Africa. To British Africa alone our ex-
ports during the month Of April 1902
were s.. 763, SOB. against 81. s1710l in April.
1901; and for the ten months ending with
April 1892 were s24. 7Os, 612, against SIS. 49,
80 in ten months of 1901, and $l3,l6S,062
In ten months Of 1902
The prospective growth in the COM
merce of Africa and the probable increase
to peace and commercial activity are
discussed in a statement furnished to the
British South African Export Gazette
by leading Anglo-African merchant who
had recently returned from tour Of
South Africa, a copy Of which has just
reached the Treasury Bureau of Stats
tics In this discussion the British mer-
chant in question says:
with regard to the future Of trade,
with the advent OF peace. there viii
be a great boom all through the coun-
try A Isll consequent on the removal
OF the military forces and the refugees
may perhaps affect the trade of Cape
town, which is. and always will remain,
more or less local. and concerned with
the western districts Of Cape Colony;
but no such affect viii be felt elsewhere,
for it will be necessary for some con-
siderable time to keep a large military
force in the country, and this will De
as a consequence involve a continuance
of considerable amount of military ex-
penditure. Large camps win be set UP
at certain points. I have no doubt as
10 the certainty Of the boom which will
supervene the after the war but my only
misglving is that with everyone rushing
in to secure a share it viii be overdone,
and a reaction set in.
"As regards the Transvaal, and more
particularly johannesburg, no one with his
eyes open can doubt of the great develop
ments in mining and commerce which
lie ahead. II is well known that, before
the war. many mining properties were
held back by those who foresaw what
was coming and thought il better to wait
until the trouble was over, rather than
risk their chances under the then Un-
favorable economic and political condi-
lions. The cancelling OF all concessions
and the reduction of the price of dyna-
mite will unquestionably make it easier
TO work the mines at a profit, and many
Of the low grade properties VIII now
be taken in hand and, what is more,
made to pay The chief danger that
has to be feared is that arising from
the opening which en- only create dis
credit and encouragement for, bona fide
concerns.
The future of the Orange River Colony
although affording many hopeful indi-
cations has, think, several problems
to contend with. The colony is a farming
country in the main. and for some time
10 come viii suffer from the depletion Of
population and the destruction of prop
erty. and as n consequence the loss of
farming capital Government assistance
may do much in the earlier period. but
recovery VIII be a work Of time. Trade
IN the meantime will suffer. Rhodesia
forms no exception TO the rest of the
country. and has. IN my opinion, a big
future before il.
The question as 70 which OF the ports
on the south and east African seaboaTd
viii secure the bulk of future South
African trade is. 1 think, not difficult TO
answer. Ny previous remarks as TO the
local nature of the trade OF Capetown
show that that port Is out OF the reckon
ing The situation of East London and
Port Elizabeth places both Of those ports
IN more advantageous position 10 cater
for the interior trade than the metropoh-
tan port. To Durham. however. I think
VIII fail the bulk Ct at least the Trans
vaal trade, and th5t very great future
lies before il is unquestionable. 1t is
the nearest of all the South African ports
10 the Rand. and owing To the high rents
ruling in johannesburg. merchants pre-
fer 10 keep their stocks at the cost OF
bond BY this course tney have the IN
terest on the disbursement Of money for
The duties drawing their goods from bond
as they want them. Delagoa Bay may Of
fer some rivalry en- account Of its slight
l. shorter distance and its through rate.
and in the future VIII doubtless make
further progress; but II viii never be
chosen voluntarily by merchant firms as
a place OF residence on account Of the
Il is a foreign port johannesburg rner-
chants. likewise. I should imagine. vii
never use it. ike Durham. rs place
u store their stocks at It VIII remain
purely q forwardiug port and a number
OF arms OF forwarding agents may be
established there. Err,tsh merchants. I
and i should judge. American merchants. +
also. VIII always prefer an English port
20 foreign. ara especially Portuguese +
pert. on account Of the unforeseen admin I
'stration dlhlcuitcs which ara continually +
arising. r. as think. johannesburg rner-
chants win continue 20 store their stocks
At the ports IN preference TO removing +
them 10 Johnnesbure Durham Viii be +
the port chosen for ehis purpose. IN /
which case its future Is settled.
"Of course the reason for the prefer 4
ence OF Delae03 Bay over Durham By the +
Germans IS that their ships coming down +
The East Coast touch first NJ the former +
port. Il must also be remembered that +
the German through rate 70 johannes I
burg via DeIagoa Bay has enabled them +
70 oTer serious competition 70 British i
trade forwarded through Durham and /
other colonial ports. but this IS matter
which our shipping companies win have
e face by the Institution OF similar 4
fhra..rh NO. IA Tl.,-t.a 2, r-l.Is .-..-..s !