The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-06-10
PEACE AND AMERICAN TRADE

A New York dispatch notes that finan-
cial circles there are discussing the ques-
ton whether the return of peace in South
Africa and the loosening Of Great
Britairs hands for use in the arts Of
peace. will not give to her the large ad-
vantage from such stimulus and divert it
from our own country which has gained
immensely through the British war dis
ability during the past three years, and
through the business depression in Ger
many has profted in that countryg pre-
serves. Many millions have been Dor
rowed in Europe by Americans for the
exploitation of the new commercial COM
binations and these loans make big
hcle in our large international credit
trade balance. But our exports show
little abatement; the iron and steel in
dustry was never so active, the mills
havisg orders to keep them busy through
the year, and American purchases in
Europe of some forms of iron and steel,
needed in a hurry, indicate the pressure
of business.
1t is noticeable that our exports to
British South Africa have risen from a
little over SIC, 10000 in 1898 to nearly
$25,000,0 900 in the ten months ending with
April. The British government, accord
ing to Colonel Crowder's report, has pur-
: chased horses and mules in this country,
since the beginning of the South African
war, to the extent of $4,000, 900, but the
agents have now been withdrawn and in
their place an English firm of contractors
Is now buying Texas cattle with which the
British government proposes to breed cat
tie in South Africa for restocking the
veldts which have been nearly emptied
OF cattle during the war. About $4,000
head will be sent to South Africa. The
larger part of our exports to Africa go
to the British possessions in that. region,
and, according to a report published by
the bureau of statistics, the demand for
our lumber, furniture, agricultural inple-
ments, windmills, fertilizers. typewriters,
harness, buggies and carriages, boots and
shoes, is large and increasing. ~
This trade we Shall no doubt hold with
the return Of peace if ordinary business
enterprise is used. to promote it. Ger
tdluIy IL CLc VI ucW Gil
terprises and development in South Africa
is verified even to half the extent pre-
dicted, there will be a. great accession Of
trade activity in that region.
1t will be some months before the coun-
try is sufficiently cleared of the wreck of
war and normal peace conditions re-
stored and any great activity can DO ex-
pected. Great Britain will doubtless come
forth from the severe ordeal Of heavy
expenditures and the exposure Of, her
military weakness and loss Of trade with
new energy and experience which will
prove profitable to her. We shall have a
stronger competition with both Germany
and Great Britain in our export trade,
but it will call forth greater energy on our
part.
There is little doubt that, If we lose
any trade or field for investment in the
old world. we shall enter more into the
exploitation of the resources on this
hemisphere. American capital to the ex-
tent of 5000, 100000 is now invested in
Mexico, and new investments are making
there continually. In the great business
of developing new lands or old lands UNI
4 der the blight Of a stagnant people, there
Is NO doubt that we shall always keep