The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-08-30
AFTER THE WAR.

AFTER THE WAR.
As the war goes on, talking and
planning for peace become more and
more definite. Opinion is divided as
to what the effect will be upon Amer
lean trade, much depending upon the
individual point of view. There is no
doubt that peace will necessitate ex-
tensive readjustments These will
come gradually, says Henry Clews in
his Financial Review, and will by no
means demand a return to old condi-
tions which is impossible.
Concerns devoted to war business
will be obliged to scrap considerable
of their plant or prepare for other
lines of work. War profits would of
course disappear, and a few lines of
endeavor would cease entirely. But
very important offsets would quickly
appear. The fact that the world had
turned its face from destruction to re-
construction would at once set loose
great economic forces. Optimism
would promptly succeed despair. and
ing the civilized world would start
with vigor that would soon over
come all confusion and hesitancy.
Our steel mills would receive no
more war orders, but far better, they
would be pressed with orders for ship
building, for railroads, for buildings
and for all kinds of construction work
in all parts of the world. Our textile
mills would soon recover from loss of
war orders and be fully occupied with
both domestic and foreign orders. Our
secondary industries, such as automo-
biles, typewriters. agricultural imple-
ments. machinery, etc, would also be
pressed with orders to make good war
losses in Europe. Our mineral pro-
ducers would be equally sure of good
markets and good prices; SO, too,
would the American farmer who may
rest assured of good prices for all he
can grow for some years to come.
The truth is war has impoverished
the whole world. The waste of life
and wealth has been inconceivable.
Millions of lives have been destroyed
or impaired, and the expenditures for
war since 1914 of all nations have
been over $4,000, 900. 900. Everything
grown or made by the hand of man is
scarce. Years will be required to re-
fill the enormous vacuum, and the
scarcity of men or labor at a time
when most needed means high wages,
high prices and long period of in
dustrial activity.
OF course, there will be periods of
weakness and depression. There will
be grave impoverishment of some sec
! tions, as well as the crushing burden
of debt upon all. Difficulties, at pres
ent unperceived, are likely to develop,
and recovery from war does not mean
escape from all it's losses. But let it
distinctly be kept in mind, peace when
it does come will find the United
States elevated to a pre-eminence in
dustrially, commercially and financial
ly that would have required a genera
ton to attain, had it not been for this
cataclysm in Europe.
The war enriched US enormously be-
cause of the profits obtained in our
foreign trade and the fact that we
have been the least affected of any of
the great nations. We have suddenly
become world bankers, securing a
position that will not be surrendered.
Even should Great Britain recover her
leadership after the war, we will still
be close second, instead of a distant
third or fourth as before the war. Our
foreign trade shows phenomenal
growth, and while better balance be-
tween imports and exports may be
necessary, still we have gained a foot
hold in foreign markets that will not
be relinquished. The future of Amer
lean export trade is exceptionally bril-
liant.
By far the most significant result of
the war to Americans will be the re-
storation of the United States to a
fitting position as a maritime power.
Our weakness In this respect has long
been a thorn in our national pride.
Before the war we ranked close to the
foot Of the worlds sea-going tonnage;
but within a couple of years, thanks
to prompt seizure of a favorable OPP
portunity. this country may easily be-
come good second to Great Britain
as a maritime nation. The establish
speaks volumes for the future of
American foreign commerce.. The war
brought us two essentials for interna-
tional Understanding power and
our shipping.