The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-08-01
EUROPEAN CRISIS FAILS TO DISTURB
 J. s. CONFIDENCE

In spite of the critical conditions abroad, advices received from the New York Commercial correspondents in the United States indicate confidence In the situation in this country With New york made the worlds one free market it was natural that security prices should crumble. Besides un- settling the security of grain, cotton and coffee markets the European en- brogIfo has affected larger Financial scenters and rendered it prudent Tor the country.s s leading stock. exchange to suspend operations. On the other hand it is encouraging to note that money remains on a fairly stable ba- sis.
 Although the usual quietness at this time of the year is manifested in some lines, changes are principally in the 6way of improvement and the general strengthening of confidence is nota- ble.
 barometer Of business conditions with better. buying by transportation com panies and Improved demand in sev- eral other departments.
 The expanding trade In the agricul- tural regions is an encouraging i1df- cation that the dry goods situation will gradually improve.
 Sales in the coffee market during the last week have been especially large. The list was demoralized, breaking to the lowest levels in years Much excitement prevailed. The de- cidedly unfavorable political outlook abroad was the main factor and con- ditions reached such state that the board of governors closed the exchange yesterday until Monday, thus prevent ing any general panic All hopes Of Europe financing a loan of $aOo, GOO for Brazil, which up to the time of | the Austro- Servian conflict appeared to be favorable, is now abandoned. As 1 a result heavy selling of coffee by Brazil is looked for to obtain gold.
 The net declines for the trading per-
 iod over the week range from 15s to ITO points and the sales for the same period total 520, 75O bags.
 Excitement was intense in American grain markets during the week, es- pecially in the Chicago wheat market
 where fluctuations were the widest in years. Trade was on an enormous scale for a, while, decreasing only when large commission houses demanded l from 25 to 35 per cent margin and in some cases refusing to accept margin I trades at all The knowledge that Europe will need an immense quantity of wheat in case of a general war sent prices skyward, but this was soon stop ped when reports were circulated that ] wheat may be declared a contraband of war. Tn this case stocks here would
 accumulate rapidly. No attention
 whatever was given to domestic news. 1 Corn was influenced by the ductua-
 lions in wheat but also by the hot and dry weather throughout the greater part Of the belt Oats were influenced
 mainly by the strength in other grains
 Final quotations showed net gains in wheat of 5 3-4 to z 5-S cents over 1 the week Corr is cent lower to I i e34 cents higher and oats 3-8 cents I lower to I T=S cents higher.
 When the political troubles in Europe assumed threatening aspects raw SUI gar holders withdrew all offerings and I the result came next day when re-
 liners were fairly heavy buyers at ad- lvances- Spot advanced BPS cents I while early August sold at S.32 cents
 and late August at 3.39 cents Re- fined sugar pursued somewhat the Il same course. All redners are firm at
 40 cents. The cocoa market Is d1Ill.
 MoIasses and syrups are quiet. Corn
 sugar and corn syrups are strong in i sympathy with the strength in corn. l Quotations on spices have been with
 drawn by leading distributors due to the uncertaintfes c1 securing new sup Iplies via Penang and Straits Settle < ments. Demand for rice is steady and it all grades are reported sharply higher. Tea was in light demand and some dealers have withdrawn quotations.
 Several American naval officers on
 leave in Switzerland were recalled on
 orders from Washington.