The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-08-12
AMERICAS OPPORTUNITY.
This war VIII DO for us what the thirty
Years War Did for ENGLAND.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SuH--Sir. II
seems to me that bankers. business men.
officials and newspaper writer's are unduly
alarmed at the crises brought about by
the present European war.
To a certain extent the conditions to-
day offer to the United States much the
same opportunity that came to England
during the Thirty Years war. During
that war England by its Isolated posi-
ton was free from invasion and profited
by doing business with the warning ma
lions to such an extent that at the close
OF the war she was the worlds financial
power and clearing house and controlled
its maritime commerce as well.
The present wars offer the opportunity
TO the United states for merchandising
with Europe. including England, that
England enjoyed during the Thirty Years
war, and iamentable though II may be
to profit financially or otherwise by the
misfortunes OF other nations, 1t becomes
our duty to ourselves to do everything
that we can to prevent stagnation In
finance and commerce. The attentions
and energies of our people should he d.
rected to supplying the needs OF the Eu-
ropean Powers and to provide means and
transportation for our products to those
countries all OF which will stimulate
business at home and ut the close OF the
war must leave all OF Europe duly In
debted to the United States.
II has been stated In the public press
that with the general war In progress
there would not be sufficient ships TO ex-
port our merchan dlse, but II seems such
a statement must be made without care
FUZZY considering the situation and what
the result must he on land and sea from
n prolonged and general war.
That the war will he general all we'll
informed persons agree that II will be
OF long duration the best Informed people
a. k..It l..,s Nl..R h. Ia s.f
long or short duration the commercial
needs Of the vast number OF people In
Europe win furnish market for "A large
amount OF merchandise and for consid-
cradle period OF time. As to the ability
10 get our merchandise to market, there
can he no question on that score. What
naval Power is to prevent our shipping?
There In only one Of any considerable
strength. which Ia Germany, whose ships
are more than outmatched by those of
tho other nations and will either he de-
stroyed. kept Mt home to protect their own
interests or bottled up in some OF the
foreign seas, so that the seas with the aid
u England. Russia, France and Japan
will certainly he kept open 10 commerce
and In an exceedingly short time we will
begin to feel the impetus OF trade that
must result from the demand created by
the European war.
No lasting anxiety need be felt for the
stoppage or commerce, because there IN no
navy powerful enough to do so that would
have any interest in shutting Off our
trade.
II liz true that German ports may be
blockaded. but outside of that. to my way
OF thinking. there need not he the slightest
cause for apprehension for the merchant
marine Of any nation engaged in trade
with any OF the Powers Of the world
except Germany and Austria.
The pulse OF our commerce will be pres
emily qulckened by the extraordinary de-
mand for every class OF foodstun and
merchandise. and II is to furnishing these
In the quantities desired that our energies
should be devoted.
our exports Of foodstuffs and mer-
chandse will quickly settle the question
OF exports OF gold. and the application
OF emergency currency should also result
benefcialiy in aiding our merchants by
the increase In local circulation.
NEW York. August ii. NJ. II. HUNT