The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-01-01

now 1t Is more and more ueVoleu ~
seeking ways and means of bringing
the chastity struggle to close. There
are those well informed VINO beHeVe
that peace is nearer than commonly
supposed, because Germany is pre-
pared to make greater concessions
than expected; while others as con-
fiGently claim that Germany will at
present propose no terms that the
Allies are willing to accept. The lat
ter class of believers also incline to
the opinion that if present peace
movements fail, in spite of their
strong support by neutral nations, the
war will be resumed on both sides
with increased vigOr and bitterness.
An inconclusive ending of the war
would be disastrous to civilization, IN
aemuch as it would not unlikely pre-
cipitate a. second war as soon as the
most aggressive belligerents sufficient
Nv recovered, hence an absolute bind
ing, copper fastened settlement must
be attained, including all the belliger-
ents.
Domestic Politics..
The coming year will be free of
one great uncertainty, the presidential
election We now have four years
ahead under an administration whose
policies are as well defined as 1t Is
possible to Z have them President
Wilson was able to carry out in the
main the promises Of his first term;
and whether his successes are liked
or not it would seem the part OF poll
teal wisdom not to attempt any fur
Ather experiments until general condl-
tons are less confused by the tup-
heaval abroad. This country has been
sorely perplexed for several years by
a multitude Of new political expert
ments, not a--few of which, will be
abandoned when tried out. We need
nnaitical rest, and there are enough
rave questions ahead to fully tax all
the ability and strength of the present
Congress without multiplying trouble
nv protecting a new set of nostrums
The Administration might with advan-
tage turn it's attention to checking ma
tional extravaganza. During the COM
ing year it is estimated that the coun-
try's expenses will be from 100000
600 to $400,OO0,000 in excess of re-
ceipts, while the deficit may DE en-
larged by advances in pay of Govern
ment employees, as well as by excessive
appropriations : for public buildings,
rivers and harbors. These OUTLAWS fol-
low the heavy increases for the army
and navy, necessitated by prepared
ness" and will impress upon the coun-
try the fact that it must fave heavy
increase in taxation that will prove
more burdensome when business is
on the wane than now. Various pro-
posals are already under consideration,
such as a bond issue, an increase in
the tax on liquor and tobacco, an in
crease in the inheritance tax, an ex-
tension of the income Tux to smaller
incomes, and the. raising of the tariff
on imports, including tea and coffee.
There is also a strong movement for
a protective tariff on chemicals, and
in all probability there will be a strong
agitation ere long for general tariff
revision; though adjustment upwards
will be less unsettling to business than
the reverse A factor also that should
not be overlooked is the Mexican prob
lem, which is far from being solved
least expected.
Foreign Trade Markets.
Astounding progress has been made
in our foreign trade, which during the
fiscal year ending January goth Sex-
ceeded that of any, other country in
the world. Before the war this ma
ton ranked third among exporters,
now it is first. Our total exports
in the period mentioned were $4,333,-
100000, compared with $685. 00,-
600 the year before. More than half,
or $2,64s, 100000. of our exports went
to the belligerent nations alone.~ Of
this last total $47,0O0,000 represent
ed explosives and firearms, while we
shipped to the warning nations $272,-
100000 of brass and copper, $4,000
600 of horses and mules. $25, 000,0 900
Of boots and shoes, $32.0O0,000 of
wooden manufactures, $50,000,00G of
automobiles and $14,00O,00 Of barb
ed wire, besides millions in variety
of other articles intended for war
purposes. Much as the demand for
war materials stimulated our exports,
the increase in legitimate export trade
was far more important in value. In
products having no relation to the
war our exports were valued at S3,-
170,O0O,000, compared with $2,175,-
000, 900 in 1914. This was an I'M
crease of one billion dollars, or nearly
so per cent. in our legitimate trade
About half of this AS increase went
10 belligerent Europe, the remainder
being scattered all over the globe
These figures prove that the war gave
our exports a tremendous push for
ward, and the vital question now is,
will this rate of progress continue?
There is no sound reason for antici-
pating any disastrous reaction. Re-
adjustments and loss at some points
must be expected when the war ends
But the war is not ended and a long
period must elapse, even if negotia-
tons are soon opened, before a pea ce
treaty will be signed, and the millions
of men now in the trenches return to
profitable industry
Furthermore, the energies Of the
warning nations will be fully occupied
when peace comes with reconstruct
ton Of cities, mills, railroads, mines,
etc, on vast scale. There will be a
big demand for labor in Europe, and
our fear of an invasion of cheap for
eign labor will prove largely ground
less for the reason that wages there
will have to be adjusted to the high
cost of living, plus the huge burden
of new taxation under which all Eu-
rope will have to struggle. The fear
of dumping Of foreign goods en-
American markets has also been vast
~ exaggerated. and there is no doubt