Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-09-03
How the War Affects Us.
W.-TaIk About an
Embargo.
By Frederic ]. Haskin.

The very first concrete effect of the
war in Europe was to send the spec
uIative price of wheat soaring rms
was speedily followed by an actual
increase in the price of wheat, and OF
all other foodstuffs, sugar easily out
distancing all competitors in the cl1mo
II was absurd that even the greatest
war in history should in one day aHect
the price of fresh string beans IN
Omaha, 1000 miles away, but 1t dld II.
Without any delay the machinery OF
the federal courts was requlsltloheo
for A judicial inquiry. the mayor OF
New York named committee OF emf
nent citizens to look into the matter
and there were threats OF dire pun
ishment for any who would consplfe
to raise the price OF 1000 Without
good reason other than selfish de-
sire for quick profit. Inc q lmmeai iae
result was a slight falling-off in prices
in retail stores, but the tendency TO
90 higher still remained.
The first wild increase was due IN
mart TO greed and in part to hystefla
The hysteria was
Hysteria and Greed largely eliminat,
ed by time. and
influence Market. the greed in part
was frightened away by the grano
juries. But even speculative markets.
find foundation for their movements
in hard facts. When it began TO DC
a commonly held belief that the war
would be long one the prices began
again to go up. :, .
Then was heard in all seriousness
the talk of an embargo on food II
was pointed out that the absoiute
prohibition of the export of 1000
products not only would protect our
own people from hunger and starvation
occasioked by war prices. but it also
would operate to compel peace by
starvation.
The talk of an embargo was heard
mostly in New York. where it was given
serious consideration by respohsipie
newspapers and public men.
In view of the fact that during the
first few days of the war Americans
generally placed SO much reliance IN
our big wheat crop to tide us over the
financial dificulties of the war, the
proposition not to permit any wheat
to be shipped whatever indicated
clearly the upsetting of all normal
things by this abnormal war
&
Il,
easily explained When the war cloud
first broke every
Eyn1anation of body was con-
cerned with the
Change in View. unusual d e mand
for gold that was threatening our finan-
cial system Then it was proposed that
we would soon be able to pay the ball
ances due abroad in wheat and thus
keep our gold.
The next effect, was the abnormal in
crease in food prices, and as the imam
cial situation had been easeG by the is
.suance of emergency currency, the 1000
situation appeared to be most important
Then came the suggestion of an en-
barge.
The greatest agitation has been heard
in New York. The great American me-
tropolis has suffered more, directly. from
the war than any other American city.
The paralysis of the shipping industry
has thrown many thousands OF WORK
men out of employment. and this same
thing has operated in decreasing num-
bers but increasing pay. to end the en-
spIoyment of other thousands in the i'm
porting businesses.
At the same time. the food speculation
was more accumulated. The war seemed
very near to New York, and in the poor
ar quarters Of the city. where the popu-
Iation is almost wholly of foreign origin,
the prices of food Were raised TO ridfcu- /
lous figures.
In other parts of the country there has
been almost as much complaint of the
increased prices of foodstuffs but the
situation has not resulted in SO much
unemployment. Indeed, in many cities
the factories have increased their out
put. and more men are employed than
before.
X
The suggestion of an embargo, there
fore, has not met with any enthusiastic
reception. When
Suggested Embargo the cotton and
Not Popular. are necessary
hard hit. even when the government goes
to extreme length to relieve their dis
tress, 1t would be finishing touch to the
agricultural community to put an en-
barge on wheat and thus reduce all the
farmers to panic at once.
At the same time if we don't ship
wheat, or some other products, we must
ship gold. To send gold is more danger
GUS. both with respect to the risk of loss
and In Its effect upon prices 1t is gravely