New-York tribune., 1871-04-07
ENGLAND SUFFERING FROM FREE Trade.

PROSPECT OF ENGLAND BEING COMPELLED TO
ABANDON HER SYSTEM OF FREE TRADE
PROTECTION DEMANDED BY THE MASSES.
To The Edftor Of The Tribune.
SIR: II is stated that NJ. Theirs declined
H. Bismarck's proposals for treaty of commerce be-
tween France and Germany the ground "hat France
would be compelled TO restore the equilibrium OF her
finances by high tariff" In making this declaration,
the distinguished French statesman was not only fore
sbadowing a commercial policy in harmony with his
antecedens strong ProectOnist, but one absolutely
forced upon his country by the exgencies Of her posi-
ton To obtain the revenue which France now finds
herself compelled TO raise she must resort to the most
stringent measures and there is no form OF imp0st al
once so productive and little burdensome to the mass
of the people IA q high tariff. The remark is tre but
no man feels an indirect tax as he does direct one
moderate or even a considerable. enhancement In the
price OF various commodities will be borne with far
more patience than house, property, or ncome-tax,
which must be paid at stated intervals, In hard cash.
Its curious fact but when France has reversed her
commercial policy. she proposes TO do, England WI"
he the only great manufacturing country In Europe-i
might say in the world which still adheres TO Free Trade
coones-thOse at least I'm which the people
are allowed self government, such Canada and Aus
traa-have deliberately adopted Protective 1arlH AS
10 England herself she has now tired Free trade for
several years and with what RESULT In the opinion OF
Cobden and the Manchester school OF political ecOno
niists it for every ILL The loom was
IN he ever busy; the workshop full! Well! such an
uter prostraOn OF business az has existed in thls cOuh
try for the last five years. has not been known since
ls4O II is this state OF things cannot be exclusively
attributed TO Free Trade. But II Free Trade be not alto
gether responsible for the sagnaton OF business,
has certainly not I'm any way modihed, but, on
the contrary, in a considerable degree intens-
fed the distress which has arisen from IL.
Numerous branches OF industry have been seriously
affected while some, like the Paper ana Blk
manufactures have been all but completely ruined by
the present commercial policy OF Great Britain Inc
cheapness Of labor the cOntnent-notaby III Belgium
has induced English capitalists in many instances to
enter into contracts with firms there to execute orders
for machinery and ro-work Of all kinds both OF which
have hitherto been speeaties OF this country In some
eases indeed iron have closed their fac
tories here and established others in Belgium, simply on
.ccount of the difference price OF labor Not only
the locomotives very considerable portion OF the
other OF English railways, ls now nhhuiao-
tured in that country In Denmark The very cars on
the Brixton and Kensingon Tramway by which traVe
daily haye-with the exception OF the pattern cars
which were built In New-York-been made In Copeh-
hagen And It Is a fact within my knowledge That the
contract for the whole Of the woodwork the new st.
Tbonas's Hospital was executed In Norway; even the
sa.bes and frames were fitted and put together
there and sent over finished and ready To be inserted In
the br1ck-wOrk. . .,,o.o,,or atssatis
6ed with the present state of things. so long as they can
buy and SELL they care not whose iaDor ns pre- sne
or foreign Buf this Darrow shortsghted policy would,
II persisted in ultimately defeat itself Al present. there
IS an enormous amount OF accumulatcd wehlth III Ell
GLAND aud fhe evil Of the Of DOnwOrkefs 0Or pau
peTsn is rightfully the ncreaseJ, VINO nave W pe
supported by The workers II only paltay Ia, w ao
community at large; ana scarcely ~ III pS ''' :" '
in fact the cruel aud absurd system which prevails IN