Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1842-12-14

"A late English paper the Leeds Mercury, has
the following remarks with reference to the COM
mercial interests of Great Britain, as affected by
the Tariffs recently imposed by several Nations:
"At no period Of our history, except during the
ascendency OF Napoleon, has such alarming sue
cessOn of blows been struck by foreign govern
menis at the commercial prosperity of England as
since the entrance of Sir Robert Peel upon office
We do not say that II has been owing to the mat
tentlon OF our own government, thou Oh in another
article we show that ministers very i'll supplied
with commercial intelligence by their agents. but
We state the smp dc fact, that within the last six
months no less than Six Hostile Tariffs have been
published by other countries; and it is possible that
the year may not end without adding a Seventh
We state these facts for party pur pose whatev-
er, but with "a view of calling the serious attention
OF government, OF Parliament, and of the country
to the events themselves, and the considerations
they suggest as TO the tu:ure commercial policy of
England.
FIRST we shall enumerate the hostile tariffs that
have been passed, with their respective dates, and
add the brleest possible explanation of their bear
ing on English commerce.
|. The Russian Tariff, issued in November
1911; by which the duty worsed or wooden
goods, and mixed worsed and cotton, was raised
from one silver rouble per Id. to silver roube
and 20 copecks that is from IS cd to 6s ID per ID.
Englsh;) the new duty is from 200 to 800 per cent.
al valorem; printed goods are prohibited.
q The Portuguese tariff, bearing date the 10Th
December, lS4l; by which the duties on English
woolens were raised from 800 refs per h. to 600
refs per 10. The latter is equal to ad vaorem duty
OF 40 per cent. on the average qualities of cloth
sent to Portugal.
j. The French tariff, bearing date the Goth of
June, 1912: by which the duties on English linen
yarns and linens were doubled land madealmost pro-
h'batory-thls being by far our largest branch of
export to France.
A. The Belgian tariff issued in July, 1912; by
which the duty on English linens and linen yarns
was raised to the same prohibatorv rate as the
French duty III obedience TO the dictation of France,
aud with view of preventing the smuggling of
English linens and yarns into that country through
Belgium
S. The United States tariff. bearing date Aug.
lS42; by which the duty on wooens was raised
from ~ to Az per cent, and on cotton goods the
duty was made nominaIy 80 per cent. but on some
Kinds OF goods II Is In reality from 100 TO 200 per
cent. al vaiorem, and on many kinds of cottons,
woolens, and other goods the duty will be prohl-
bory.
d. The German League tariff passed Sept 1912;
by which the duty on of the largest branches
OF our exports, namely, worsted goods, figured or
printed, Is raised from 30 dollars to so dollars per
cwt. SO as to be IN many prohibitory; and by
which the duty on quncaIllcrie or hardware is in
creased probably over $50 per cwt.
And 1t is not impossible that next month the Bra
allan tariff may be raised very greatly-the Brazil
Ian government having given notice to that effect;
but we hope this blow will be averted by the
concessions which Mr.. Ellis, the special minister
lately sent out to Brazil is empowered to make on
the sugar duties.
Thus within few months the great part of the
civilized world has declared a commercial war
against usl Russia, Portugal, France, Belgium,
the United States and the Great German League
including Prussia, Bavaria, Saxony, Wurtemburg,
and several smaller States! And it is not certain
that Brazil may not be added to the number.
Such an unparalleled succession of untoward
events is indeed menacing to our manufacture. and
foreign commerce, and demands the anxious atten-
ton OF government.
~ proper TO observe on this remarkable series
OF hostile tariffs, that they bear no evidence of con-
federaey against us The only exception is in re-
gard to France and Belgium where the feebler
power obeys the orders of the stronger. Russia,
france, Belgium and the Unitee Stated, Germany.
and even IN some degree Portugal, have been in
huenced by desire to protect their own mauufac-
lures. The United States and Portu gal have been
additionally moved by the hope of relieving their f.
nancia EMBELLISHMENTS, though the plan has GER
tanly not succeeded in Portugal, and is nor likely
TO succeed IN America. Brazil acts in a spirit OF
retaliation for the prohIbitory duties imposed in this
country on her sugars"