The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-01-03
THE START r~LarTERIxG.

OF course 1901 was a good year for
trade. The United States made suIl
farther progress a the greatest pro
ducer In the world. actually surprising
Great Britain that has led all countries
tie years agone. The Messenger has
published already the trade figures with
tke ~worId-exports and imports-and
also the railroad figures. This country
leads here and In the volume OF trade
4. has about 90. 900 miles OF railroads.
against q. 700 for Great Britain. 2s-7l1
miles for France. $500 miles for Italy.
SEQ miles for Spain. The growth OF
railroads is a positive proof of average
prosperity and hoL fulness- In the
wears TO come the work Of building rail-
roads will continue. and II no more
again over 1900 miles are constructed
In n year, the 1900 or 5000 o
limitation viii be constantly reached
This a large country geographically.
No little OF II is still virgin and unpop-
uiaIed. With the spread Of population
viii come to building OF towns and
cities and the necessity for railroad
communication. The Baltimore u
says OF the future prospects:
Capital will be more easily obtained
IN the future perhaps thai in the past.
owing 10 the consolidation or railroad
interests and the formation OF syndi
Gates TO finance them. There are colos-
sal enterprises in contemplat ton which
will add many thousand miles OF rail-
way to the present mileage OF the Unit
I'll States. While the steam railroads
ere steadily being extended. there has
also been a remarkable development OF
electric railways. City. suburban and
interurban electric railroads are being
esta biished in every part of the United
States. In the past year the
of electric lines has been a marked E
ture of the national Development"
The people in most sections are hope
fui cheerful. expectant. They look for
ward and hope for good crops and bet
ter times and better government per-
haps. The last is very doubtful with
the gang in charge now in Washington
If Uncle Sam does not behave himself
he will find himself involved with a
power or powers far greater than that
Gctadent Spain. The Monroe Doctrine
is capable if pressed OF bringing upon
SNA INOPAN ACSSSo "@AN
lures of life and money. Then the un-
wise. burdensome. Unjust high tariff tax
now levied by this country against for
eign trade-the money coming out of
the people here-is not readjusted and
made fairer. there may be quite another
war against this country-one Of tariff
retaliation. If Russia, Germany. France
ftal~. Austria and Great Britain shall
weary Of oppression and unfairness and
shall unite in high tariff discrimination
against Uncle Sam he will find a com
mercial danger threatening Of stupen
dous magnitude. The Sun takes a hope
fni view that the rivalries and jeal
ousies Of European nations will inter
vene to prevent an united action. II
50 SO:
1.-The only cause for apprehension is
the possibility that Europe, r%esenting
the invasion Of foreign markets by
american manufacturers, may impose
excessive duties upon imports from the
United States. This is a danger which
this country has confronted for several
years. although it is doubtful whether
european nations were eve as deeply
stirred as they are now. or ever more
Inclined to adopt retaliatory measures.
However, European countries are as
jealous Of each other as of the United
States, and as long as this feeling ex-
lists IL is doubtful whether they will be
atle to agree among themselves upon
tariff discrimination against the United
States"