The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-09-01
From, Other Pens
WARS EFFECT ON COAL TRADE.

WARS EFFECT ON COAL TRAJ1E.
Confronted by the unprecedented
condition of a general European wnrs
the American coal trade. ine1peft-
enced in such matters and having no
precedent by which to guide its &C.
ton, has found itself hopelessly cen
fused. Coal will take longer than Most
other trades t., conform its action 70
the new situation because, unlike steWl.
it lacks q leader of sufficient stren9tn
to focus the beat thought OF the TRACE
upon either natural consciousness or
natural lines OF provision and hate It.
dictum accepted. In the absence Of
such leadership. the trend Of coal
trade affairs, outwardly at least. Will
be determined by the buyers rather
than by the producers. South Amer
lea. for example, IL not waiting for the
United States t. solicit its business. but
is sending inquiries for enough coal to
tide it over the period OF the Euro
pean war. A volume OF business esst-
mated at more than 100000 tons per
year is definitely headed toward this
country. Purchasers who have an
option of buying either from the
United States or from AustraliA and
Japan are electing to buy in the United
States. If they bought from Australia
seizure because both are allied with
England. 1t il said that ships will
start at once from Rio de Janeifo Tor
the United States to carry back coal.
EUROPE QlSLuE OCO AlS OWA PIOuu~
ton Of coal, has cast eyes toward
America an a possible source Of sup
ply. Italy IL struggling to remain neu-
trail in the European conflagrAtiou.
In the event Of its success, it will send
its golfers here for q supply Of cosl.
Operators here are offerink 10
sell coal at circular price fab.
tidewater ports only when pay
ment- is made in cash at time
supplies the brat. Regardless OF inn
proved prospects, our export trade has
been completely demora1ized. AZ ore
eastern port 100000 tons Of coal haze
accumulated and other coal is in trasa-
take this coal IL en- route to these ports.
but vessels arc under instructions to
tie up until greater safety of ns.vigA-
ton. Is assured.-The Black Diamond.
RESULTS IN LITERATURE
Out of the war In Europe there wilt.
unQuestionably. come a tremendous
flood Of literature. The great mass Of
1t will be ephemeral and practically
worthless: tawdry fiction. biased auto
pert analySers. But out Of the flood
posterity will pick and preserve GER
tain number of great books. So great
a crash cannot fail to develop q few
great writerG There are, at present.
mon and women throughout Europe
perfences to literary advantage It -
possible that q number Of mere diaries
will be given to the public and found
good. But It IL more likely that the
men and women Of literary talent who
are finding themselves face to face
with the worlds greatest war will call
leisure and study to their aid before
Offering their products. Consider, for
example Brand Whitlock. Mr.. Whit
lock il q writer Of considerable force
and no mean literary ability. He was
sent as minister to Belgium In order
that he might enjoy a kind Of digni1ed
feposc after his strepuous years a.
mayor of Toledo. Instead Of repose Mr..
Whitlock has found only turmoil and
care. He has been In the midst OF
things since the war started. II II not
presenting too far to predict that Mr..
Whitlock will bring out book before
long. and that It VIII be worth while.
Other Americans Of lesser literary famo
may md IN the war the inspiration
they have awaited. Ard Europeans or
every nationality will strive for fame
and profit. Probably II will require
the clearer perspective and calmerr
Judgment Of posterity to select the real
lnAsterp1qce8.-C1sveIa Plain Dealer.