The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-03-06

speculative community. have held an
opinion about the portents Of politics at
homo and our political relations to the
wa abroad which wal not unfavorable
to the prevalence OF prosperous condi-
lions In the United States no matter what
obstacles might have to be ~contended
against. Furthermore. discerning imam.
clal opinion when consulted has been
found TO confirm this intimation.
1t Is doubtful II the conservatism Of
American finance could be made n
more pronounced by this years events
In the war. At all times our banking
and business leaders have had IN mind
every alternative issue Of the war. WITH
respect TO the terrific conflict that q
been Joined on the western front the
upshot OF financial conviction Is that
the Central European Powers cannot
at this late day. with resources taxed
by a year and a half of struggle, accom.
plish against the Entente Allies that
which they were unable to achieve In
September. 1914. before the Auies were
even half prepared for the contest. In
deed. there Is . feeling IN the financial
district that developments which are now
proceeding IN the waf may bring It's
end INTO sight sooner than was expected
only a little while ago. because Of imam.
cial reasons for thinking that the new
German offensive launched In the west
Is a measure Of the desperate strain
which Germany Is feeling.
These conjectures hardly make for
acute financial apprehension that the
chances OF change in our status Of neu-
trality have been aggravated. n rs for
tho astonishing political spectacle which
has been given at Washington IN the
past fortnight. II has an optimistic as
pect which nnanc does not overlook.
The Washington upheaval has aroused
the interest of the whole people and
advertised to them the great issues Of
public policy which will he al stake IN
the coming national canvass TO elect
a President and will thus be conducive
TO Al expression Of the public mind and
VIII. tending 20 make the future Of the
nation moro stable and secure The
financial community has always found
that when put TO the test the American
people could he trusted TO declare them
selves explicitly In accordance with the
underlying traditions OF our national life.
The more politicians make a muddle OF
government in advance OF such a dec
l~aration the moro certain II has always
been that the people would put their
affairs In che hands Of men capable OF
dealing with the problems and require
ments OF monentous times
DOuut"rs OF mo future Hpcunu NOt
only IN Wall Street but out of II. There
are always numerous citizens who can
not believe in prosperity even when they
see II OF In the prospect Of II II
is still something TO hope for but un-
seen. The majority of those who are
AZ present utterinr respondent views
regarding the financial and business out
Tool because Of tho immediate political
uncertainties or because OF the unknow-
able economic circumstance rhich will
follow the termination OF the war are OF
the class which Is always disposed to
believe that anything good which exists
or promises ts too good TO he true.
Mos, OF them are Identical with those
prophets who went into frenzies OF eco
nonic and social despair at the out
break OF the war. Ranged against them
are all the leaders Of real business and
banking endeavor whose manful efforts
were responsible for inaugurating the
commercial and financial recovery aNd
expansion so far and are planning more
constructive enterprises.