The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1888-07-27
American Politics in England.

1t is the cue of the high tariff mon.
opoly organs to quote the opinions of
the English press on the tariff issue in
this country, that is, when those opin-
ions suit their purpose of appealing to
the distrust of England which prevails
largely in the United States. But
they are very careful not to admit to
their columns any expression of the
English journals not conducive to their
narrow and contemplate object. Sir
LioLel Sackville West, the British min
lister at Washington, said in an inter.
view the other cay, that the American
tariff question was not understood in
England, and that the idea entertain
ed by some people in England that
President Cleveland's recommendation
for a revision of the tariff is free
trade movement, is a misconception.
But the London Chronicle evidently
understands the purpose of the demo-
cratic tariff policy well enough. The
other day it dropped this remark in the
course of long editorial stating both
sides of the tariff question in the Uni
ted States "The argument of the
democrats ia that free trade raw ma
terials will enable the American man
ufacturers to compete in the markets
of the world truth sohich England
and Germany aoiH be apt to realize
some day." Neither Minister Vests
admission OF England's ignorance
on the subject of the tariff in the Uni.
ted States, nor the London Chronicles
equally significant confession, has
found its way into the columns of the
high tariff monopoly organ,
1t will not be at all surprising if af-
ter the editors of the English journals
shall have learned the real purpose of
the tariff reform proposed by President
Cleveland they will earnestly depre-
ciate its success. They will see their
mistake, as Minister West clearly
points it out and as the London Chro,a-
icle incidentally admits it. 1t is so
plain that he who runs may read that
free raw materials for American man
ufacturers would be the severesJ blow
that can possibly be inflicted upon
English commerce. In the item of
wooden manufacturers, for example, il
wool were duty free the three hundred
millions of dollars worth of wooden
goods now imported into this country
would be surely in a few years manu-
factured at home. The loss of the
American woolen goods market to the
EnfxItoh Ga ,uo,,Il H.. a..
ribie infliction and therefore the Eng.
lish journals will be either deliberately
playing into the hands of the repub
Hcan leaders or madly striking down
the interests of their home wooden
industry, by supporting the policy OF
President Cleveland favoring the alb.
clifton of the duties on raw wool. l,
is, indeed, more than likely that those
journals are in collusion with the high
tariff monopoly politicians of this coun,
try, for it is their interest to be, and
the recent endorsement of Harrison
and Morton by the British American
association at Boston. which simultan
eously denounced Parnell and Glad
stone, is strong circumst lntial prooI
that such is the fact.
1t will not be many days before tn,
British lion will give unmlstakabl
signs that his tail is being twisted in {
very tender part by the president'i
tariff policy and the Mills bill. Wher
the English manufacturers discover
that the only free trade proposed by
the democrats il protection to Ameri
can industry by the removal of take,
on raw materials and the workman
necessaries of life, the London editors
will be apt 10 pipe different tune
Mark the prediction l-Patriok