Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-08-09
FOREIGN COMMENT ON AMERICAN
POLITICS.

We publish below numerous extracts
from the press of England and Scotland.
| to show what the wishes of foreign
manufacturers are concerning the con-
test in this country between protection
and free trade:
| From the Saturday Review.
1t must be taken to prove that the
president and the Democratic leaders
have finally decided that they have
nothing to gain by keeping measure any
longer with the protectionists. They
have. from whatever motive, resolved
to adopt free trade policy. Nothing
can be more explicit than the presidents
language, 'The simple and plain duty
which we owe the people is to reduce
taxation to the amount requisite to meet
the necessary expenses of the govern
ment, and to restore to business and to
the country the money accumulated in
the treasury" In America this means
free trade.
From the ingtonshire Courier.
Cleveland's message will, no doubt,
provoke an immense amount OF hostility
on the part of many who have hitherto
been favorable to him. This much is
certain, and another fierce contest is i'm
pending in America over the principle at
issue. II it terminates, as 1t is hoped it
will do, in the direction of relaxation
OF those lmposts that now so vexatiously
hamper commercial intercourse between
Great Britain and the United States, we
may look to an impetus being given to
our home trade that will go far to make
up for the depression OF late years.
From the London Globe
As rule the presidential contest has
very little interest for the Old World.
On the present occasion, however. an
issue is involved which very closely con-
Germs Europe, and more particularly
Great Britain. Mr.. Cleveland has taken
his stand on free trade, and, although
the party managers have considerably
planed down his platform, he is univer-
sally recognized in the states as pledged
to initiate new departure in fiscal
policy. Nor can there be any doubt that
he would act up to this understanding
were he elected. The central issue of
the contest lies between the maintenance
of the present fiscal system intact and its
modification in the direction of free
trade. And on that broad question Mr..
Clevelands candidature naturally and
necessarily carries English sympathy.
From the Londoa Standard.
To American ears the whole message
must be redolent of Cobdenlsm in
slightly modified form, more particularly
the enunciation of the principle that the
exaction of more revenue than is really
required for the public service sis an in
defensible extortion and a cupable be-
trayal of American fairness and justice"
This remarkable utterance will be GER
tain to exercise a paramount influence
on the next presidential election. Party
names and party ties are thrown into
hotch-potch. The governing issue at
the contest will lie between protection
and free trade.
From the London Saturday Review
President Cleveland has devoted HIM
self entirely to the tariff. 1t is impossi-
bic to recast this without touching di-
rectly the pockets of every citizen of the
United States and directly influencing
the commercial interests of the world.
The president is careful to state that he
frankly declares his Indifference to the
charge of favoring free trade. His pol
icy, he says, may be called by that or
another name, but it is the policy he
to congress, and which he
does not affect to denp, must altar the
terms on which foreigners have access to
the American market and on which
compete with foreigners
abroad.
From the London Daily News.
The president feels compelled to char
the attempt to brand him as a
free trader as deceptive, but for all that
the electoral conflict now in progress is
conflict between free trade and protec-
ton and nothing less.
From TIE Scotsman.
If once the United States finds herself
on the road to free trade she will hardly
know where to stop. For the principle |
which President Cleveland, as head of
the Democratic party, lays down is really |
that no important duties are justifiable
which are not levied solely for purpose
Of revenue.