The Goldfield news and weekly tribune. [volume] (Goldfield, Nev.) 1911-1947, 1914-09-12
America a Gainer--h Time

The Question continues to present itself: Who, among the
worlds people, are to profit or in any way benefit from the war that
is now decimahng Europe? If any are destined to receive benefits
what will be the proportion of these Is against the numbers who will
suffer grave injury? Much has been said and written of the pro-
verbal ill wind that must inevitably blow great good to this country
Tones of illogical, super-optmiNic balderdash nave been published in
this vein by those who refuse to see danger in exaggerated optimism
and who appear to think that the brighter viewpoint jusifes itself,
wen at the expense of truth and logic. The most profound and COM
pick problems that have ever confronted military experts or students
of diplomacy are settled ofhand by writers or self-consttuted experts
whose right to pronounce judgment in the premises is vague, to say
the least. AT a moment when the foremost authorities are adhn1teuy
at Sc the announcements of these would-be specialists in world
healing bring home most forcby the truth of the adage that says:
Fools rush in where angels fear to tread"
1t involves no effort at borrowing trouble to realize that this
country must suffer losses of vast proportions as a result of the war
We are face to face with a tangible, material condition; not a vague
theory. Already our government, forwarned by al unprecedented
falling off in revenue S a direct result of the war, has cen compelled
to take action such as could be considered only under stress of a most
acute emergency. In the event that the war is prolonged 1t may become
necessary to provide for a still greater loss in revenue. L is said that
the American farmer will profit as a result of the high price OF food
stuAs, but foodstufs must be marketed to bring the profits to the
farmer and unless we can sell our excess products to Europe, without
restrictions, the present high prices cannot be maintained.
South American countries, with which the advocates OF a great
merchant marine hope to build up trade, are affected by the war in as
great " greater measure than the United States. The more important
of these countries are large exporters and IN order to become Oh I'M
portance to this countrys commerce must be enabled to maintain a
certain balance of trade, through the medium of exports, as they cannot
be expected to purchase on a large scale in this country and to pay in
gold, in the absence of a compensatng market for their own products.
Without doubt this war will have the ultimate result of bringing about
a more reciprocal commercial relation between North and South Amer
lea, but it is extremely doubtful that this highly desirable result will
he felt for some time to come and the longer the war endures the
longer will this result be deferred. From present indications the war
must continue for several months, at least. Upon its conclusion every
European country will be practically bankrupt, with credit strained to
the breaking point. High prices for American products may prevail
abroad, but the demand will be in large measure governed by the pr-
chasing power, and a pauper is a poor customer, however much he
may need your wares. The United States will continue to prosper and
even if involved in a world war this country could rot know the de-
gre of poverty and misery to which the masses of Europe are pro
crossing, but if we are to gain by the wholesale blood Letting and de
sructon in Europe it must be after we have first paid the price and our
oain whether great or small, must come gradually and not, as many
persons would believe, in an avalanche of sudden affuence. Patience,
combined with readiness to improve II material condition along
legitimate lines is the attitude best becoming Americans at present.