New-York tribune., 1885-09-14
TNDUSTRJAL SELEDEFENCE.

II seems good TO other nations TO protect their
home industries. Germany and France, espe-
cially. have strengthened the barriers against
foreign competition within the past year,
though both had steadily pursued protective
policy for years. The consequences of this
change in the laws of Germany and France are
already felt in decline of American imports to
those countries; the stock OF wheat, which
would not be more than enough under other
circumstances, proves too much for the markets
in view of the refusal OF those countries TO buy
as freely as they formerly did. Prices OF pro-
visions are also affected in the same way; as
,he foreign market narr0ws, the supply proves
greatly in excess of the remaining demand, ana
a curtailment of production will be fOund un-
avoidable unless new foreign markets can be
secured in place of those which have been
partially closed to us by the defensive policy
of other nations.
At this juncture, large proportion OF the
Democratic party, which prevailed IN the Pres
idential campaign last fall, cries out for re
form of tariff " in the direction of free trade.
Since other countries are defending their in
dustries against us more vigorously and sue
cessfully than before. it is held the duty of
Americans I'd dDdUiDl VI tuldoNhihto AhNii H''
lection. This is urged because, it is said. other
nations will buy more from us if we buy more
from them. 1t does not appear to DC the TACT
that Germany or France buys wheat from other
countries out of spite toward the United States,
or because of inability TO buy from lis, though
they are able TO buy from others. The same
money which pays in the London exchanges for
cargoes of Russian or Indian wheat would pay
Just as we'll for cargOcs of American wheat II
they were offered at as low a rate. The dealers
in those countries do not stop to consider for
single instant whether Americans are buying
much, or little, or not at all, from Germany or
France. The foreign dealer only asks whether
a dealer in this country will sell wheat to him,
all elements OF cost considered, at cheaper
rate than anybody else. So of other products;
the fact is that all nations buy where their
dealers can buy cheapest, aud passion ar
vindictiveness has nothing to do with the
matter. The laws which do in fact exclude
American grain to a great extent are equally in
force against othrr grain also, and even more
effectively operate to suppress trade with other
countries which do buy from Germany or
France largely, if those countries cannot sell rs
chcaply as the holders of products in this
country can.
Is it the sensible wsy TO stop defending our
own industries, because other countries are now
defending their industries more vigorously
than before Are we to suppose that overflow
ing generosity of soul will inspire them wtlf
corresponding generosity, so that, if we take
down the bars, they will change their laws
also No reasonable person expects any such
result. No Free-TIader who knows enough
to respect his own intellectual processes or to
care for his own reputation ventures to advo-
cate stoppage or curtaiment OF the self-de-
fensive policy on any such ground. But it is
urged that this country can now compete more
successfully with others if it puts away the
system under which for years past it has been
making greater progress than ever before, ard
competing each year more successfully with
other countries.
In no other department Of human endeavOr
would so unwise a course be seriously advised
by anybody. Were it not for fanatical adherence
to theories, no one would imagine that it could
be good thing to abandon policy which has
given this country the foremost position among
the nations Of the earth, because other nations,
having witnessed our wonderful progress, are
moved to employ the same policy for the devel-
opmcnt of their industries. Yet it Is this most
unwise course which large majority of the
party in power insists upon, and will doubtless
attempt at the next session of Congress. The
attempt is well nigh sure to be defeated, and yet
the prolonged uncertainty and doubt which 1t
most untavorably.