Ottumwa Tri Weekly Courier

OPPORTUNITY OF UNITED STATES
Officials at Washington are calling attention to the fact that the present war situation in Europe and the consequent obliteration of the merchant marine of either Germany or England—more probably the former—gives to this country a grand opportunity to build up a merchant marine and secure a foreign market for our manufacturers that no one in the world could take away from us once we were firmly intrenched. The United States being the most powerful of the countries that are neutral during the great conflict now on, enjoys a position that officials say cannot but help bring it the trade of the world if it will only make the effort necessary to secure it.

Whether the goods are carried in American vessels or not is immaterial, the point that is raised is that the world must look to the United States for much of the stuff it has formerly secured in Europe.

Secretary Redfield of the department of commerce announced yesterday that wheat dealers should have no fear about ability to ship grain abroad. Mr. Redfield pointed out that if the war continues any length of time, the wheat of America will be looked upon as a necessity in Europe and the countries that need it will find the way to transport it at their own risk. This view of the situation resulted in a slight rise in the price of wheat which had slumped due to the fear that the product could not be exported.

To alleviate alarm in the south where fear was expressed that the demand for raw cotton would fall off materially by reason of the war, a New York authority sent the following opinion to Congressman Oscar Underwood, majority leader in the house:

"The south is unnecessarily alarmed over the prospective reduction in the demand for cotton in view of the general European war. European manufacturers may not require the usual amount of cotton but American manufacturers will require it all. It is inevitable that all over sea trade of Germany will be at the mercy of any nation which first seeks it and can best serve the former patrons of Germany. Of all nations, the United States is in the best position to take and hold the trade. Merchants, manufacturers, bankers and statesmen should work together for that purpose.

"Germany supplied the coarse and cheaper cotton trade of Mexico, Central and South America, Africa, Asia and the orient generally.

"There will be no embargo on the commerce of the Pacific. Our cotton should go abroad not as raw material but as a finished product and when the war of Europe is over we should hold largely the trade that now is waiting to fall into our hands."