Evening star., 1902-08-30

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only to imperial pride, but serving as a
practical bond of union and reserve
strength, political and military, between
England and her colonies, is a possible COM
petition not to be treated lightly by the
nations now holding the bulk of this trade,
chief among which is the United States.
Setting aside the. glowing and extrav-
agant statements of the colonial prenaiers
as to the productiveness of their various
countries, it is well to look into the colonial
possibilities of the future.
Future Colonial Possibilities.
Last year England imported from all
sources about 129 000, 900 bushels of wheat.
The United States furnished 81 600, 600
bushels. England also imported 1900, 900
barrels of flour. of which the United States
furnished 10,G0, 900. The crop of wheat. in
Canada this year is estimated at 10, ZOO, 900
bushels, with unlimited possibilities for the
future. The production of other bread
stuffs is increasing apace. With every con-
venience possible extended to Canada for
the marketing of her grain in England she
would undoubtedly secure the trade or else
reduce the price to those who met her in
this serious competition. The flow of grain
from Canada to England would make it
easier to increase her sales of dairy pro-
ducts, large item at the present time, and
a trade in which Canada has left the United
States far behind.
United States farmers may settle on
Canadian lands, United States capital may
go into Canadian railroads., mills. steam
ship lines and enterprises of all kinds
which are taking advantage of the boom,
but while this may individually benefit some
of the people of the United States, it GER
tainly does not rebound to the increase of
trade, wealth and general prosperity in the
country whole. Allowing that Canada
can produce the bread for the mother coun-
try, what about the meat?
Argentina is not British colony, but last
year it furnished over % per cent of Eng
lands grain supply and s per cent of the
dressed beef. Argentine live cattle are not
allowed to land in England at present owing
to quarantine restrictions alleged to be nee
essary. 1t will not be long however, be-
fore Argentine live cattle will be allowed
on the British market, and then her meat
resources will be greatly increased. The
late kirke Armour made the statement not
long before he died that Argentina was the
competitor most to be feared in the future
by the live stock raiserS Of the United
States.
Then comes Australia. The drought of
the past few years has played havoc with
her industries, but has taught the same
lesson now impressed upon the stock rails
erS of the western United States. Irriga-
ton is the cry and New South Wales alone
has just appropriated $5000.OOO offhand to
inaugurat te a great scheme of state reclama-
ton. With an assurance of feed and water
the meat producing possibilities of Austria
liza are beyond computation.
South Africa a Factor.
SOuIn africa must now De taken INTO aC-
count. Here is a great country in the tenn
perate zore, with vast areas of public
lands ready for settlers Irrigation has al
ready been recognized as a prominent fea-
ture of the settlement Subsidized steam
ers, assisted immigration, loans to farmers,
forced markets and reciprocity with Eng
land Is the program. This means something
more than mere political safety for new
English territory. 1t means vast increase
in producing power, the building up of
new nation of mixed blood with all the at
tributes of the western United States.
The future of South Africa as a great
food storehouse for the world at large. and
especially for England must not be belt-
tied in contemplating the destiny of the
foreign trade of the Unite States. The ad-
a new epoch In the worlds commerce.
There will be readjustments, new policies
and strenuous effort on the part of all peo-
pies producing the food Of the world to so
regulate their own commerce that all can
live.
The money and brains Of the people Of
the United States will enter into all of
these new opportunities but what of the
people who stay upon the land at home
and still continue to produce? The present
older generation may not feel the pressure
IN serious degree, but the maturity of the
younger generation will undoubtedly witness
a crisis which viii be safely passed or dis
astrously encountered In the degree of
craftsmanship with which the lawmakers
and the executive meet rapidly changing
conditions.
The bulk of the foreign trade Of the
United States is in agricultural products
With all due appreciation Of the prosperity
which has resulted from manufacturing,
the present flux of money is largely due to
American control of the surplus food supply
of the world. Prosperity for many years
to come will depend upon ready and profit
able markets for what the American farmer
has to sell.
-
cessity Of others. The time will come, in
the opinion Of the leading statesmen of
Europe, when the surplus Of the land will
be successfully marketed only by those who
have built up and fortified their trade chan
nes by effective transportation systems,
treaties Of commerce in which each coun-
try recognizes the needs of others and
wise and flexible administration of the
revenue SYSTEM
Unrest Throughout World.
There Is a general air Of unrest in all
the great producing countries of the world.
The United States Is struggling in the tolls
Of high and inflexibe tariff system de-
vised for protection as well as revenue.
England Is restive under her boasted free
trade, which is I'D longer free trade ex-
cept by courtesy. The breaches In the
walls of fixed and progressive trade
theories are widening. The United States
is trying to pull down her tariff wall;
England to put hers up
1t Is not difficult to conceive common
level for all countries based on revenue ne
cessities and the amenities of foreign trade
SO that the surplus products of the earth
may flow easily and evenly, regardless of
political divisions. This may be termed
the tariff millennium, but European states
men. especially those Of England, are free
ly discussing it's possibilities.
The only outward sign in England Is the
readjustment now in progress, between
the different sections of the British empire.
In view Of what could be done in this di-
rection and the effect of such readjust-
ment upon the foreign trade Of the world
it has an ominous meaning for the producers
Of the United States.
1t carries a serious warning to those who
are resisting the exhortation of the late
President Mckinley in his speech at Buf-
falo, the earnest efforts Of President Roose-
welt and the statesnanlike labors of Secre-
tary Hay. J. D. WHELPLEY.
Where Woman Follows.
From the London Field and Kennel.
1t has been given to the women of our
race to set the fashion in most things-the
fashionable dog, the fashionable novel, the