Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 6, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 September 1898 — CAPTURING MARKETS [ARTICLE]

CAPTURING MARKETS

GERMANY'S VIGOROUS POLICY OF TRADE EXTENSION. Her Tremendous Development of Merchant Shipping Facilities Contrasted ■with Tardy and Nesrlectfnl Coarse Pursued by the United States. Some consular reports of exceptional value and interest have been received at the State Department in Washington. Consul Covert, writing from Lyons, deale at length with the subject of the French Bureau of Foreign Commerce, recently established. The abler division of this bureau will devote its attention in large measure to the Orient. The plan is said to be patterned after Russia, which has two foreign ministries, one for the East and the other for the continent of Europe. This bureau will be in close touch with the French boards of trade. The French are aiding Russia to develop her resources and a large part of the report referred to is taken up with the details of this aid, which is a benefit to France, of course. The consul 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 and Germany In efforts tog supply China, a nation which, to quote from a great European authority, “is the most potential market in the world.” He adds: "Whether market shall be a feeder to Russia’s trans-Si-berian railroad, to England through Hong Kong, to Germany through IvioaOhau or to France from Tonquin is the momentous problem of the coming century.” Consul Monaghan writes from Chemnitz in two reports just given out. One, concerning Germany’s shipping, and the other, concerning her machinery export, throw much light on a great rival’s operations. Compiling his figures, jit 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 num|ber of ships and three times as much tonnage. There w r as an increase of 83 ‘per cent, in the number of laden ships and 152 per cent, increase in 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, too, the growth is almost 10 per cent, for the last period—lß96-95 for which figures are accessible. The consul says: “If we are to take part in the trade with South America and with the East we must emulate this empire in the matter of ships. Of all the ships that came into and went out of German ports in 1896 72.4 per cent, bore the empire’s flag. Of the steamers, 68.3 per cent, were German.” Germany, like France, is catering to the Russian trade and supplying that colossal country with manufactures. Russia is Germany’s best buyer of machinery. Consul Monaghan says: “It is in Eastern, Russian and South American markets that we must make our greatest efforts to meet Germany. We should improve our transportation facilities to South America and inaugurate an energetic policy of making foreign markets.” The contrast between Germany’s tremendous activity in the development of her shipping facilities and the sluggish, neglectful policy of the United States is not flattering to American pride. Neither is it suggestive of fruitful results in the field of American trade expansion. Germany is capturing the world’s markets by means of German ships manned by German sailors. What time Germany has been effecting an increase of 83 per cent, in the number of her laden ships and an Increase of 153 per cent, in the registered tonnage of vessels carrying her goods to foreign markets and bringing back cargoes of raw materials, the United States has steadily retrograded, until at present something less than 6 per cent, of our foreign trade is carried in American ships. That is not the way to compete successfully for a share in the great markets of Asia and South America. You cannot build up trade by employing a rival’s vehicles in the delivery of your goods to customers. The Hand Upon the Helm. In this hour of rejoicing and reilof, while, as is right and proper, we visit with acclamation the men who have led our military forces with such courage and address it is well to keep always before us the thought of that firm yet gentle hand which from the first has been upon the helm of state and which, with wise and noble guidance. has steered us into port—the hand of William McKinley, President and patriot, philanthropist and warrior. To his undaunted courage, lofty purpose and immovable devotion we owe not only the swift and splendid victory we lmve won, but the glory of having won it as gentlemen and Christians. He it was who, at the outset, curbed the passionate extravagance of those who had invoked the Judgment of the sword. He foresaw the calamities which our first outburst of ardor would have entailed upon us; ho stood firm against the clamor of the unthinking multitude. Ills wisdom set us in the strait and narrow path of justice. llif* quiet strength has held us there. We stand to-day free of all complications, at liberty to carry out <fur wholesome and beneficent schemes of restoration, simply because William McKinley east away the fetters that were offered us by folly and excess of seal. We are masters of the situation, bound to no ignoble course and touched by do discreditable alliances, solely be-

cause he, with clear head and tender heart and potent hand, has saved us from ourselves. William McKinley has led us to this noble task. His has been the hand upon the helm. The lowa Republicans. The Republicans of lowa should win a signal victory this year. They have a strong ticket, a good platform and the record of tjie state administration under Governor Shaw is unassailable. The platform is sound and straightforward in regard to the currency. It declares that the experience of the last two years has fully approved the gold standard policy and urges that the permanence of this standard must be assured by congressional legislation giving to it vitality and validity of public law. Protection and reciprocity are approved and there is a declaration in favor of the upbuilding of the American merchant marine. The speedy construction of the Nicaragua canal is urged and the platform favors the securing of naval and coaling stations in every quarter of the world with an adequate navy. The Republican party of lowa is harmonious and well organized. The state has enjoyed for the last two years a good degree of prosperity. The agricultural producers have done well and the manufacturing industries have flourished. As a whole the people of no other state are In better condition than the people of lowa. Under such favorable circumstances there should be oue of the greatest Republican victories this year in the history of the state. Make It Unanimous. Our opposition friends are woefully hard up for an issue on which to fight forthcoming campaigns. The Popo-

cratdc party is a party without a cause, as well as without a reason for further activities. It is completely demonetized; likewise thoroughly demoralized. Certain naval constructors are exploring the deepest recess of Salt River with a view to raising the craft Free Sliver for another voyage. But the vessel, never teoo standi, was so riddled with shots in the campaign of 1896, to say nothing of the mutilation of its hulk by the hilarious forces which are marching under the triumphant banner of Gen. Prosperity, that it offers no better prospect than that of going to sea in a sieve—a prospect that is so suggestive of familiarity with water as to cause cold chills to chase each other along the spinal columns of the older Democratic cruisers. In addition to the damage inflicted by the Republican enemy the old craft exhibits the marks of disastrous internal explosion. How serious an affair this is is indicated in the intimation that Senator Wolcott, who long ago refused to recognize the sancity of the 16 to 1 idol which served as the vessel’s figurehead, is assured of re-election to the United States Senate from Colorado. This shows that the internal organs of the craft are injured beyond repair. The heavy shots from the Oregon election have also left some lutd scars on the rigging. The spirit of discontent which made It easy to secure n big crew in 1896 is not much in evidence these days. So many of the people have become bondholders that there is less disposition to embark in privuteerIng under the black flag of imrtial repudiation of debts. It is easier to pay them In the good money they are expecting to be paid In by their debtors. The hope of rallying the hosts under the banner of “anti-imperalism” has proved itself a futile one. The war declines to furnish the opjiositlon any political ammunition. They have fired off too many resolutions declaring for Its vigorous prosecution, where indeed they did not boast that they “dragged the administration into the war by the scruff of the neck,” to make it an issue. True, they may find some small shot of criticism of the administration’s metluxfvnnd perhnpsof some matters of expenditure. But there is little in these querulous details to stand up against tile solid bulk bf the glorious results of the contest, in which all Americans.

take pride, and which all, regardless of party prejudice, have helped to achieve. Perhaps the best thing our friends the enemy can do under the circumstances is to fall into line and make it unanimous until time* shall develop more than one side to the political situation. It is seldom they are offered so good a chance to vote for a ticket tliaf'is a sure winner.—Sioux Oity Journal, y A President of the People. Irrespective of party affiliations all fair-minded Americans recognize and acknowledge the great ability with which President McKinley conducted the war and also the clear-sighted statesmanship of his treatment of every question arising in connection with it. Men who disagreed with the President—and there were many such in his own part}’—in his refusal to recognize the so-called Cuban republic, now concede the wisdom of his position. Others who charged as was freely done, that he was influenced In his course by forces which had no regard for the honor and the dignity of the nation, now acknowledge the gross Injustice of that accusation. Still others who proclaim their belief that President McKinley was wholly controlled by partisan considerations have learned how utterly groundless and unwarranted that opinion was. In short, those who five or six months ago questioned the patriotism, the courage and the firmness of William McKinley are compelled to confess that they w’ere wrong. Decline of Silver Production. In eight years the production of silver in Colorado has declined from $23,000,000 to less than $13,000,000, while the gold product has increased from

$5,000,000 to $19,579,000. That State may as well drop the claim that silver is tiie mainspring of the world and the universal regulator of prices. Copperhead Tricks. Presently the statistics of tihe army will he made up, and it will be found that the losses from disease have not been excessive, while those from battle, taking the whole field, have been remarkably light. The movement of men from the North to the South in summer was bound to result in serious sickness. When the British attacked Havana in midsummer with 16,000 men the loss from disease In four mouths was over 4,000 men. The city was taken, aud campaign lias always been regarded as victorious. Our losses in Cuba have been small in comparison. The British army went through the fever period with no hope of removal. Our army lias been transported to the northern seashore for the restoration of its health. It might be supposed from the comment of the Democratic press that the business of the administration throughout the war was to organize neglect and put nouc but the incompetent on duty. The copperhead virus is the same a« of old. and its contemptible political tricks unchanged.—Globe-Di moerat. Where Arc They At? Some of the distinguished Popocratlc leaders who some months ago were speaking loudly nnd confidently on what policy ought to bo pursued by the United State* toward the island colonies of Spain are now engaged in impressing upon their friends that they art* in the attitude of reserving their opinions, 100,000 Would Respond. The Boston Globe (Deni.) asks how many men would respond if President McKinley should call now for 100,000 volunteers. The answer Is at least 100,000. Never yet have the American people been scared from their patriotic duty by copperhead rot. Phnfter’s Victory. Gen. Shafter relnarks that with no more than 13,000 men on the fighting line he captured 27,000 prisoners. Nevertheless, Democratic papers pronounce Shatter a failure and his campaign an awful example of neglect and lucompeteucy.