New-York tribune., 1878-12-23
DaPE Days fUR ENGLAND.


The forebodings of Mr.. Gladstone nave hiaue
him few friends in England-for prophet is
not without honor save In his own country
But the gloomy pictures which telegrams nave
recently gwen of the condition oil traoe III
Great Britain, of the suffering among
the unemployed and OF the earnest enofts
made by the authorities in nearly every
considerable city to alleviate ad'stress which
has become too severe and widespread to be
concealed or removed, may perhaps recall TO
the attention of his countrymen the suggcs-
tions of statesman who may fairly claim 'hat
the decline of British prosperity did NOT
becin under his ministry. A political Gas
sandra is not apt to win popularity. SWeeter
TO the British public are JingO ballads, an
nexations of Cyprus and Afghan territory In
dian sceptrcs. "pcace with honor "-So-callfd-
and all the batteries of Lord BeaconslleId.
But Christmas dinner will not be eaten in any
mart of the little isle, by intelligent ana
thoughtful Englshmcn, with quite the relish
which has been gwen in other years by Il sur
yey of the position of Great Britain among
the nations.
The greatness Of Great Britain was essen
TALLY commercial and industrial. Enormous
wealth has enabled England TO speak with au-
thority, the more since wars have been Fought
mainly with the purse. Even Napoleon was
beaten down rather by British wealth than
by British courage or diplomacy, and for
more than half a. century Great Britain con-
tinucd to grow relatively stronger in COM
mcrce and industry, though relatively weaker
in immediate and visible preparations for war.
Hence il is that the prOstration OF commerce
and industry in Great Britain means more,
with respect to its position among nations
than like decline of prosperity would mean
in any other country.
Beyond question, the evils which have
forced 30 many thousand British workmen to
the verge OF starvation have been felt IN
other countries also. But the effects in Eng
land have been peculiarly severe. For many
years, the policy of that country has tended
TO make it peculiarly dependent upon other
lands for its prosperity; 1t has sought
10 be the Workshop and countlng-rOOm of
the world. and yet has produced year after
wear a smaller proportion of the food required
for the sIlstenancc of Its Inhabitants. A
double dependence upon other nations, for
cheap food and for consumers OF its products,
has thus been brought about, not by accident
nor suddenly, but as surely and deliberately
as if it had been the conscious aim OF all British
craftsmanship. The policy worked not badly,
as Long other rnnntr1es were content to
furnish food and raw materials at such prices
rs Great Britain was willing 10 pay, and to
buy clothing, iron and other products at such
prices as Great Britain pleased TO charge.
But development of industries in other coun
L.. hoo, otoadiI,- bt,ufIi sIinp fhn demand
for British manufactures. Year after year, Brit
ish bankers and capitalists have been riskinF
more money in the effort to retain command of
foreign markets, while paying All eyer-in-
creasine sum for food and supporting costly
imperial government. Since the fall of silver,
the cost OF that government has been increased
IN India. The policy of Lord Beaconslield has
not made government cost less IN other re-
spccts. SO the candle has been burned at both
ends. and as the United Stales begins to re-
cover from the effects of great civil war, the
first struggles of our industries to recover
their independence bring new disaster to Eng
land.
During the year 1894, the revenue from
bll-stamps in great Britain amounted TO
G9S5,OOO, but during the last fiscal year,
1S77-'7S, il was only f7SO 1O2. So consdera-
Bile loss is interpreted by economic author
tiles as mainly due to a decrease in the
wholesale trade of the country, for
the revenue from rcceipt-Stamps mean
while steadily increased. The decline
i'm the foreign commerce of Glcat Britain has
been very great, especially in exports 20
this country. formerly one Of its most
profitable customers. Immense losses have
also been sustained in trying 10 uphold
the India trade. and in endeavOring
TO keep command OF the iron market.
To these causes nearly all the great failures
have been directly traced, and they indicate
that other and much greater losses have been
sustained 10y banks and firms not yet ac-
counted nsoIvent or the more recent shrink
ace i'm business, the transactions of the London
Clearing House afford some evidence. During
the three months ending November 81, the
aggregate of exchanges ut London was G1,-
16l, ,94J, 900, against II ,247, ,375, 900 during
the same period last year, "a decline of 60
per cent.
Not without reason, many British capitalists
who have still ability to remove their opc-
rations, are transferring their means to
this country. The United States will not be-
come prOstrated by dependence upon foreign
nations for food. With a sound currency, il
enters now upon struggle for the control of
the markets of the world in manufactures. II
NAV vet prove that Mr.. Gladstone will live to
see some Of his most striking prophecies iu-
filed.
The MAYOR ZERO
We published on Saturday an abstract of