Jasper County Democrat, Volume 1, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 August 1898 — IN GENERAL. [ARTICLE]

IN GENERAL.

Because their houses were closed, the Chinese gamblers of Vancouver, B. C., made an attempt to blow up the town. Their plot was discovered just in time to prevent a terrible catastrophe. For the first time in the history of the United States military academy a first lieutenant is to lie made superintendent of that institution. The officer to lie thus honored is First Lieut. Albert L. Mills, First cavalry, one of the Santiago heroes, who now has the temporary rank of captain as a member of (.Jen. Young’s staff. ltradstroot's commercial report says: "Perhaps the most interesting feature of the general business situation at present is the air of confidence with which the mercantile community awaits the approach of the fall trade period. While, of course, based in some degree upon the favorable results already achieved in many lines, it is unquestionably true that the flattering crop outlook at home and the return of peace, with the expectation of benefits to our export trade naturally expected to accrue therefrom, make for much of the feeling thus expressed. Reflection of the growth of fall trade is found in the steady expansion now going on of hank clearings; the improving demand at higher prices for most makes of iron and steel; the generally favorable railway earnings, which, ip default of a large movement of crops to market, point to a large return trade in manufactured goods to the agricultural sections, and the reports of continued activity in distributive trade west and south, with signs of a moderate increase in interest at loading Eastern markets, which hitherto have not shared largely in the trade improvement.” Two or three consular reports, dealing in large part with the Eastern and South American trade, strengthen the views and assertions heretofore communicated to the Stat* Department at Washington. Consul Covert, writing from Lyons, deals at length with the subject of the French bureau of foreign commerce, recently established. One division of this bureau will devote its attention in large measure to the Orient. This bureau will lie in close touch with the French Board of Trade. The Freuth are aiding Russia to develop her resources, aud a large part of the report is taken up with the details of this aid, which is a benefit to France, of course. The writer says that the work of the Lyons commission sent to China by the business men is being followed up vigorously. France is trying to keep up with England aud .Germany iu efforts to supply China, a nation which, to quote •from a great European authority, "is the West potential market in the world.” Con--3.U! Monoghan writes from Chemnitz ia two reports just given out. One, concerning Germany’s shipping, and the other, concerning her machinery export, throw much light on a great trade rival's operations. Compiling, his figures, it is seen that there was an increase in 1896 over 1895 of 13,706 ships and 600,000 tons. Compared with twenty years ago, the figures show twice the ntijnber of ships and three times as much tonnage. There was an increase of 83 per cent in the number of laden ships and 152 per cent increase iu the number of registered tons of vessels that went out laden with the empire’s products and brought in foreign raw materials. Taken as to the number of voyages, the growth is almost 10 per cent for the last period—lß96-95—for which figures are accessible. Germany, like France, is catering to the Russian trade and supplying that colossal country with manufactures. Russia is Germany’s best buyer of machinery.