Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1914-09-04
THE WAR AND PRICES


nations of Europe, grains and food
stuffs of all kinds will bring good
prices. On the day when war be-
came certain, wheat made tremen-
dous advance on the Chicago board
OF trade, and it is said that it was
the Widest day ever witnessed on
that exchange. Within a few DAYS
the price sagged back, owing to the
uncertainty of being able to get the
wheat to the market across the seas,
but has since rapidly advanced.
The European wheat crop is short.
and harvested under unfayorable
conditions. France and Germany
produce nearly as much wheat as
they need. Great Britain produces
about 60,000,00O bushels, while the
annual consumption is about 300.-
10000 bushels, She will probably
need about 60,000,000 bushels of
imported wheat during the next six
months, while Holland and Belgium
Will require perhaps 100000
bushels each, making a total demand
OF 10000, 900 bushels within six
months. The United States has
surplus of nearly 300,0OO,O0O
bushels, and to this is to be added
the surplus of Canada, South Amer
lea and Australia. There is plenty
of wheat over here for Europe if it
can be moved as needed. The first
work of the British and French
nayies will be to clear the seas of
German war vessels, so that food
stuffs may be moved safely, and
they should be able to do this within
a comparatively short time.
No one can say how long this war
will last. Some believe that it will
be over in few months-that the
destruction of life and property will
be SO great that all engaged will be
anxious to seek peace. Others be-
lieve it will last for years; that after
'ilS obt'l CildNJ VI bllS OEdS IldS Dtbl
settled it will become a struggle to
crush Germany; that France will not
he content until she has marched to
Berlin as the Germans marched 10
Paris, and has recovered the terri
tory which the Germans took from
her following the war of 1870; that
Great Britain, having been forced
into the struggle, will not stop until
the German navy is wiped from the
seas, and Germany taught that she
can never again tramp roughshod
over the smaller states of Europe;
that Russia will not be satisfied un-
til she has driven a wedge through
Austria to the Adriatic sea, and put
an end to Germany's ambition in this
direction, which she expected to rea-
lse on the death of the Austrian en-
peror.
Whether tie war be long or short,
it seems certain that for some time
foodstuffs will bring high prices, and
the thing for the western farmer to
do is to let his stuff go slowly. So
far as possible, the surplus should
be held on the farms, and not per-
mitted to pass into the hands of the
spectators. Sell as you need the
money but don't be stampeded by
fluctuating prices. Hold back the
cattle and hogs which will not suf-
fer by being held. until prices steady
down. The packers, as usual, took
advantage of the situation the last
days of July and the first few days
of August, and knocked off so cents
On hogs simply because they could
there was no excuse for such a re-
duction. Let them wait now until
they want the stuff
The western farmer appears to be
in a strong position now. He has
good crops, is in excellent financial
condition, and ready to furnish what
the world most needs. He should
keep a level head, and retain control
of his -Wallaces' Farmer.