The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-19
ITS GOLD THAT TURNS THE WHEELS
  What Worlds Progress Owes
 Yellow Metal 1T HAS PUSHING POWER Accumulation of Gold in the World Is Estimated at $7,ooo, ,ooo, ,ooo-Dis- coveries in California
 and Australia.
1T HAS PUSHING POWER
From the Washington Post.

From the Washington Post.
 No one whose range of vision extends beyond his own country, can have failed to observe that within the last few de- cades the whole world has aroused itself to a degree of alertness and activity never before known in it's history. Up to a period within 50 years Africa as a whole was an unknown continent, sav- age and impenetrable the principal coun- tries of Asia, their ancient civilization outworn and decayed, had lapsed into a condition of lethwargy and decadence. China and Japan had been for centuries at standstill, and India under British rule was but beginning to awake. Prog ress was continued to Europe and North America.
 In 184S came the gold discoveries in California, followed in two or three years by similar development in Australia. At that time the accumulation of gold in the entire world since the beginning of the Christian era was estimated at $1,500, ,O0O, 000 At the close of the present year it will amount to over $7,OOO, 100000 an in- crease of $5,500,0 1000, or three times the amount available in 184S. Such a stream of money poured into the channels of trade has given an immense impetus to the growth of industry and commerce everywhere, and is sufficient to account for the awakening of the last half cen tury.
 The discoveries in South Africa, Alaska, Mexico and elsewhere are carrying the production to still higher figures, the gold production in 1908 having amounted to s409, ,O0OOoO. The total production of gold for the first eight years of this century will doubtless. reach $1,00O, 900 ,000 an amount greater than the worlds en- tire stock in 1S4S. and the rate is certain to increase. It is impossible to estimate AffA .fl1. such amounts of new money will have, but it's results are beginning to be seen in the worldwide awakening to which reference has been made. The economic changes certain to follow are almost be- yond the realm of speculation
 Africa has been partitioned among the European powers. and has enormous re- sources hitherto untouched. China, with its teeming and industrial population, is beginning to stir, and even the ancient countries of Asia, which we have been accustomed to regard as effete and be- longing wholly to the past are showing signs of new life
 A railroad from Bagdad is pushing its way from the west and will traverse the heart of the oldest Bible lands, past UT of the Chaldees. and the Babylonian cities along the banks of the Euphrates, which it will leave at Birejilk, and cross Mesopotamia to the Tigrls. Soon 1t is expected that the line will be in full operation from Scutari to the Persian gulf, distance of 1862 miles, and the making over of Chaldea and Mesopota- mia will be entered upon. Mesopotamia alone has an area of 1S0,000 square miles. and Is extremely fertile, capable of pro- ducing grain for seven times its present population of 100000 It was the gran ary of the ancient Assyrian and Persian empires. Schemes are on foot and oapi- tai ready to enter upon development of all sorts, including irrigation, and the