THE YANKEE PERIL | AdventAI

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 21, 1901

“THE YANKEE PERIL”

In the latest number of a New York paper, we are told that what is called “The Yankee Peril,” still continues to disturb Europe. And what is this “Yankee Peril”? The answer will be found in the following statement: “Almost the whole press of Europe from the Balkans to Sweden and Scotland, is printing articles betraying alarm over the industrial and financial menace of the United States.”

That is it. The United States with its active business methods, and the enterprise, vim, and push of its people, is making its impression upon the world; and the people of other lands are becoming alarmed. Alarmed at what?—Why, alarmed lest the people of this land, with their inventive genius, improved methods, and greater activity, should be able to supply the world’s markets cheaper than they can do it, and so supersede their business, and take away their trade, and leave them in an unfortunate plight indeed. So they regard the United States an industrial and financial menace to them, and their papers are full of notes of alarm. The first and most natural remedy for this state of things on their part, would be for them to rouse themselves to “keep up with the procession,” adopt the same methods by which this people seem to be threatening to surpass them, revive their own inventive genius, quicken their activity, and so be able to supply the world’s need as quickly and cheaply as it can be done from this side of the water. But this they seem disinclined to do, or incapable of doing. And what is the next remedy?—To boycott this nation, lay a tariff on our productions, and so cut off our trade. This, many statesmen and economic writers of Europe are now strenuously urging upon the people. This would mean more financial friction, and add to the distress of nations with perplexity characteristic of the last days. The figures that are given us tell their own story, and reveal the tremendous movements that are swinging over the earth with the resistlessness of the tides:—

“The exports from the United States continue to increase, and by the end of the fiscal year, promise to reach the unprecedented sum of one and one-half billion dollars in value. For the twelve months ending with February, the figures were $1,490,194,985. The excess of exports over imports shows an even greater increase, being $492,234,904 for the eight months ending with February, against $304,219,807 in the same months of the preceding year. It is estimated that the exports for eight months of 1901 will reach $1,015,185,374, against $522,960,380 for imports. In other words, the American people will sell to foreigners nearly thrice as much as they will buy. These huge figures on the credit side, more than anything else, have given us an influence in the affairs of the outside world, but we are in danger of having the whole world for our secret foe, a distinction that England has had for many years, and seemingly enjoyed.”

All this indicates that now is a most favorable time to engage more extensively in our book work, and in the promulgation of the gospel, which we are set to promote.