The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1888-09-07
BRITISH INTEREST IN AMERICAN
POLITICS.

Contributed by the Home Market i'll of ILL.,
A most significant feature of the pres
emit attempt to break down the policy of
protection to home industries is the ex-
traordinary interest manifested by Eng
lish press and people in the result of our
pending election. Every voter of intel
ligence must know that this unusual 80
lcitude is not wholly the result of Brit
ish philanthropy. They feel that
there's millions in it," else our cousins
across the water would be likely to keep
at home both the money and solicitude
which they now stand credited with ex-
pending in this country.
One of England's greatest generals is
quoted as advising to Find out what the
enemy most desires you should do, and
do the opposite" This advice is quite as
sound in its application to q contest for
commercial supremacy as to strategy on
the battlefield. Just now England is
experiencing serious business depress-
ion, especially in her agricultural and
manufacturing industries, and the ablest
among her statesmen are puzzhng over
the problem of relief. The prosperity
Of the United States, the disposition and
ability of our people to spend money
freely for the comforts and Injuries of
life, quite naturally indicate this country
as the most tempting field for the desir-
ed extension of British trade. At the
same time it is recognized that the only
road to control of American trade now
supplied by American manufactures
leads ove the ruins of our protective
tariff system. Hence the aid and COM
fort to the party now seeking its over
throw.
In this connection a glance at the con-
dition of public sentiment in England
may prove interesting and instructive.
Consul Shaw, in q recent report from
Manchester, says: s'There is of course,
q deep anxiety manifested in this coun-
try, (England), for the early adoption of
a lower tariff in the United States, and
the solicitude shown in this respect
that English manufacturing would be
able to close many of our mills if this
course is adopted On our part"
The late official report of the Golden
club said: SIN the United States Presi- |
lent leveland's message carries with it
the promise of such measures Of tariff
reform as may, in the course of ten
years, make something like q revolution
in international trade. The direct re-
suits of opening the markets of such a
country would be enormous"
From the London People: eff Mr..
Cleveland should be reelected the Uni !
ted States tariff will be modified very
materially in the direction of free trade,
a result which cannot, of course, fail to
be beneficial to the trade of other coun-
tries, and especially of our own"
From the London Economist: "On
the adoption of free trade by the United
States depends the greater share of Eng
fish prosperity for a good many years to
From the London Sunday Times :
'The American election is infinitely |
more important to Englishmen than
their own internal politics just at this
luncture. The main question at issue is
English free trade against the continen-
tai system of protection"
From the London Globe: Gas a rule
the Presidential contest has very little
interest for the old world; on the pres
emit occasion, however, an issue is in
volved which very closely concerns Eu-
rope, more particularly Great Britain.
The central issue of the contest lies be-
tween the maintenance of the present
fiscal system intact and its modification,
in the direction of free trade, and on
that broad question Mr.. Cleveland's
naturally and necessarily
English sympathy"
From the Sheffield Independent: '"The
Mills bill is viewed by all parties alike
as the first decisive and certain step in
direction of free trade.