New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-08-04
GERMANS AND FEE TRADE.

Sanguine Democratic managers are reported
as consoing themselves with the reflection that
German gains will be an offset for Irish losses
on the Tariff issue. They readily concede
that England's advocacy of the Democratic
party will ALLEVIATE thousands Of Irish votes
in this and other States; but they assume to
be looking for a solid German vote on behalf
of revenue reform. What grounds they have
for expecting free-trade accessions from that
quarter we cannot understand. Germans are
familiar with the recent fiscal history of the
Fatherland The experience of Prince Bis
marck with each of the rival economic systems
is fresh in their memories, and will tend to
make them ProtectiOnists rather than Free
Traders When the Empire was established
the Chancellor, acting upon the advice OF Ma
tional Liberal leaders, adopted tariff of the
English pattern. He tried the system and was
not satisfied with the results. His chief rea-
son for abandoning free trade and reyerting
to protection was clearly stated in speech
delivered in the Reichstag on May II, 1882,
from which an extract is appended:
Tho success OF the United states in material develop
ment is the most illustriOus Of modern times The
American Nation has not only successfully borne and
suppress sed the most gigantic and expensive Of all
army found employment for all its soldiers and
marines paid off most OF It's debt gave labor and homes
to all the unemployed OF Europe fast as they could
arrive within territory, and still By system Of
taxation indirect not TO be perceived, much less
felt. Because It IS NY deliberate Judgment that the
prosperity Of America Is due to It's system OF pro-
tectve laws urge that Germany has now reached that
point where 1t IL NECESSARY 10 Initiate tho tarh sys
tenn OF tho United States.
This was the deliberate judgment Of the
leading German statesman, the greatest man
in Europe. respecting the benefits Of the Amer-
can protective system. So favoraby impressed
was he with the advantages of protection that
he discarded the traditions of the English
school and introduced moderately high tariff
in Germany and he has ne}cr perceived any
reason for regretting that course Under pro-
lection the quantity and quality of German
manufactures have steadily increased, trade
has improved wages have risen and the con-
dition of the working classes has been bet
tered. Secretary Bayard's frec-trade ConsulS
arc not likely to show favoritism for the pro-
tectiye system; hence, the following testimony
from James H. Smith, Consul at Alayence, is
particularly valuable as the word of an unwill-
ing witness:
Germany IS apparently pronlng at present from her
protective policy. Tho country 10 be In favor Of
the experiment otherwise it would not have adercns
enough in the Rechstas To carry II forward. .
Tho balance Of trade largely against Germany TO
1892 but since then It has Inclined TO favor the Empire.
In 1872 the import OF Germany amounted to 1924 49,.
600 and the exports S503 O06O0O while in 1885 this
relation was 300 002 900 1920. 0OJ, Inclusive Of
precious metals showing decided reversal Of the
balance OF trade against the Empire 1t mist be- also
borne IN mind that prices have been declining for some
years at the old rates the figures would be greater.
This cautious but emphatic statement from
one of Mr.. Bayard's officials, who knows how
gladly the Department would receive testimony
Of an opposite tenor, proves that Germany
experience under protection mas been favor
able. Prince Bismarcks Judgment in aban-
doning free trade has been vindicated. The
irec-trade theorists have steadily lost ground
In the Fatherand since the new customs SEIZED
ules were adopted. The utility of protection
is now generally recognized there. What rea-
son, then, is there for thinking that Germans
in America will support President Cleveland
on a free trade platform? Is it not more likely
that they will be Influenced, as body OF
voters, by Prince Bismarck's own estimate OF
the advantages Of protection in the United