Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1914-08-05
What War Would Mean To Us.
| Boston Transcript.

loooton dTuhScItpt'I
With the six great powers OF Europe
flying at one another's threats, situation
would be presented staggering to the
imagination. We have not yet begun to
realize the dire significance Of such an
eventuality, yet as calm observers the
people OF this country should be able to
sense some of the consequences. With the
war spirit and the passions behind it
aroused in those countries the calm voice
Of reason is likely to be drowned by ex-
cited clamor. The cost is not counted and
the effects will not be felt until the death
| struggle is actually entered into. 1t is
true they are feeling the pressure even in
anticipation, but not more than we are,
and thus far hardly as much. As long as
they can call upon us for gold and we are
forced to respond, it is the United States,
| having no direct interest with the causes
OF the far flung quarrel, that will suffer
quite as much as those nations that are
| now preparing themselves for the worst.
The demand comes upon us at critical
time. We have released many millions for
the movement of the crops and the lubri-
cation Of our own industrial processes. 1t
was supposed that the gold drain upon US,
had ceased for the season, and under nor
NAL conditions that superstition would
have been correct, but should the threat
ened eruption actually occur the amount
and seriousness Of the burden that would
be imposed upon US cannot well be meas
ured. To very great extent American
securities would be thrown back upon us,
and until the process exhausted itself we
should have to respond with the precious
metal. But that is only one feature of the
situation that gives cause for apprehen-
sion. Even though we might weather the
drain with no more grave consequences
than temporary embarrassment, we
should be likely to find, as the conflict
continued, that our commerce was being
seriously demoralized. The cold blooded
| optimism with which some have regarded
the outlook in business way fails to con-
vince us.
For couple of generations the Atlantic
ocean has afforded comparatively peaceful
paths for commercial operations and in
terchanges. Piracy has been driven from
the seas; privateering has ceased and even
when two nations have been at war the
rest of the world has not been greatly en-
barrassed in it's maritime enterprises
But with six formidable challengers on
the high seas it is going to be unpleasant
even for neutrals, for, according to the
agreement among nations, neutrals must
carry much contraband ware either alb
solute or conditional, il they are to re-
ceive the benefit of Others misfortunes
which some financiers anticipate
Furthermore, how is our commerce con-
corning which there is no question to be
carried? We row depend upon the ships
OF the countries that will then be fac
ing risks which they may be indisposed
to take. Already the managers of German
lines entering New York say that with a
do not see how they 'could get through.
1t will be the same with Great Britain
France and italy.
In what kind Of plight would their
regular withdrawal from the ocean service
leave us? We have been preparing &C.
commodations for the largest vessels at
our own port and most of the leading
seaports have been doing the same thing
in greater or less degree. We would
have to depend upon our own resources,
and it would be long time before they
could be made adequately effective. The
question OF subsidy to American vessels
has thus far been largely academic 1t
would become very practical if not vital in
such situation, and if subsidies were once
established it would be many long years
before they were abolished, no matter
how the world conditions might change.
To look upon events as they have seemed
to be shaping themselves in Europe with
approval, on the assumed basis of self
interest, seems to US the climax of folly.