The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1915-05-17
Outcome Of Present Controversy With
Germany Over Sinking Of tho
LusItania. One Of Great
Uncertainty.
IT AFFECTS BUSINESS
War Continues to Outweigh All Other
Considerations In Financial
Circles and Restraints
Trade.

NEW YORK, May 15-Thcugh I'M
settled on Friday, the stock market
continued strong throughout the first
portion of the week, presumably up
on the hope that this country would
u not be involved to the extent of actual
hostilities with Germany. President
Wilson'S calm but firm policy had an
assuring effect, and the country,
| though deeply stirred, refused to be-
/ come excited. Nevertheless, there Is
no concealing the fact that the coun-
| try is facing a grave crisis, and no
one can tell the outcome of the pres
! ent controversy. A peaceful settle
ment, it Is to be hoped, will be reach
ed-and it is devoutly wished that 1t
will. The effect Of war upon the
/ United States will be less serious than
upon any other nation. We can at
present probably do but little harm to
| Germany and she can certainly 40
! still less to us. Some further de-
rangement of international trade and
| finance may follow, but nothing ike
the blow which fell so unexpectedly
last July. In fact, the United States
! is exceedingly well prepared to me-
any such shock, and no serious dis
turbance need be anticipated; be-
sides, at this writing it is premature
/ to indulge such fears. and better to
hope for peaceful outcome.
| Unavoidably the war continues TO
loutweigh all other considerations IN
! financial circles. When the finances
of all the great powers In the world
are under the greatest strain In his
! tory; when millions of men are en-.
gagged in destruction instead of produc-
ton, and that by the most destructive
methods which devilish ingenuity can
invent; when the trade Of several OF
the greatest commercial nations is de-
moralized; when international indus
tries are being destroyed wholesale;
only misguided optimism can talk
about real prosperity. The United
States has one supreme advantage;
its isolation from European politics.
Our relations with Europe are be-
coming closer and closer every year
as commerce and intercourse grow,
but thus far our policy OF avoiding
'entangling alliances has proved wise
and safe. That policy should not be
reasons; and whatever our SYM
4
one interest or the other should be
instantly suppressed. President VIII
son has acted in manner that de-
serves tie approval and support OF
the American people. He has upheld
the honor, dignity and safety of Amer
leans with firm hand, avoiding Of
Tense and insisting upon justice. The
country is fortunate In having at its
<f frn1
ateness, sound judgment and high pur-
pose. This is one source for true self
Generalization. Another source OF
satisfaction is the self-restraint mani
Tested by the American people. Pub
lie self-control has been shown to a
remarkable degree, and this is one OF
our best assurances for keeping ont
Iof the conflict.
Aside from the war, conditions IN
the United states are slowly but sure
lily mending. We have now entered
period when agricultural conditions
are vital factor. Some OF our crops
are likely to be late and their condi-
ton is not always as high as the ex.
Iceptional averages Of year ago. The
condition, however is generally above
the average and the acreage under
in cotton being made up in other
crops-and there Is every assurance
of a good export demand for all agri-
cultural produce at satisfactory prices.
Already the outlook fs for a record
wheat crop. Our industrial situation
lis slowly emerging from the extreme
depression of year ago. Bank clear
lings show no such losses as during
the winter months, and in many in
stances satisfactory gains are being
shown compared with last year at this
time The first four months of the
current year showed decrease in
clearings at all cities of 6.s per cent,
while the total for April showed an
increase Of nearly l per cent, and tfS
returns for May promise to give bet
ter results; thus proving that business
has decisively turned the corner.
Further evidence of recovery is given
in the monthly report of idle cars,
showing decrease of $4,000 for the
month of April. Building operations
at leading cities showed decrease OF
about per cent in April. compared
with decrease Of IL per cent in
March. The total lake tonnage for
the month of April was 100000,
compared with 100000 tons year ago.
The cotton industry shows improve
mont New Rodford mills never helm q