St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-06-02
THEY WILL RETALIArE.

1t is probable that somewhat ex-
IRENE view is taken in foreign countries
of the effect of the MCKINLEY tariff
bill. 1t is understood among them to be
very largely prohibitory in many feat
spirit. This is especially true of Eng
land. The idea that whatever is unsat-
isfactory to other countries must be to
the advantage of this is often enter
tanned, but is not always the fact. This
country has growing surplus of nearly
all the chief agricultural products. A
market abroad must be had for them.
The exports of the country are mainly
the products Of the soil. 1t has been the
protective theory that it Is matter OF
Indifference whether there was satisfac-
ton Oh the other side Of the water or
not with the policy of this country in
regard to relations with them. They
needed more food than they could pro-
ddce, and were obliged to buy of
America. 1t was immaterial to this
traffic that anything should be bought
of them. They would only have to send
over the gold in payment This impress
sion did good service for the high tariff
workers, and is not yet fully abandoned.
The distractions thrown IN the way of
the American hog, cattle and meat prod
ucts in England. France. Germany.
Belgium and Denmark have been the
retaliation for tariff restrictions offered
to their products, the diseased animal
theory being hardly more than pre-
tense. The Danish minister at Copen-
hagen, when pressed to the wall, used
this language to the American repre-
sentative:
''Well, Mr.. Minister, the truth is America
has practically nothing but her cereals,
breadstuffs and provisions for exports; and
as her high tariff prevents Denmark and
other European continental nations selling
their manufactures and products to her, we
have all along the line III Europe system of
retaliation in process of arrangement, and so
we have to strike at your farmere and their
products, as they furnish practically all your
nation has to sell abroad-n
The complacent idea that America is
essential to the subsistence of these old
countries falls away at glance over the
world. American wheat comes in hard
competition with the products of India,
Russia, Australia, South America and
other countries. Beef comes from Aus
tralia and South America. and this
country is virtually excluded. There
was but a few years ago encouraging
promise of building up very large de-
mand for animal products abroad. 1t
may be observed as general CONNER
cial fact that the traffic each way must
approximate in volume. No foreign coun-
try will buy American food stuffS and
ship gold mainly in payment. This will
be only the case between any countries
in case of particular products that can
not be had elsewhere, as with tea. Most
of the European countries that buy
food supplies could rather more
conveniently come to this coun-
try, but they are not coming
with empty vessels. Trade is chiefly
barter. The market for the productions
Of the American farm will be very much
the measure OF the imports from those
countries. If prohibitory tariffs are put
in the way of the countries that need
such as this country has to sell, it is
both commercial and human nature to
go elsewhere to buy. Are there any
farmers who fancy they have no need
of foreign outlet for their productions?
If so, they are quite likely to make pain
full discovery of their error in case the
chief features of the house tariff become
law. Perhaps they still have the alb
surd delusion that the home manu-
facturers will be able to afford all the
market needed for their products. Sen
timent is all right in its place, but
| bread and meat are more substantial for
a steady diet. The farmers are mo st of
all interested in freedom of traffic.