Telegram-herald., 1890-03-08

Free traders point 20 Englald's COM
merclal supremacy and say: "Lo! the
results OF free trade. Let Us 20 and do
likewise" Their view Of English COM
merclal aaairs Is, however, but q super
fcsal one. They do not consider all
the elements that 20 to make up her
supremacy. They overlook, or try TO
do 80, the very important part which
subsidies play 70 England's commercial
policy. Just Why they give free trade
credit for al the good things which
England enjoys, Is explainable only on
the principle that one always believes
wat one hopes. They are free-trade
mad, and can comprehend little else.
They even 80 so far as to deny that
England does, or ever did, pay sub
sides. From the Toledo Blade we clip
a clear and concise statement of facts
relative % English subsidies, which is
commended to the consideration OF the
readers Of the TELEGRAM-H HERALD. The
Biide says:
''Ihe fact IS as clearly ascertainable
as any other item OF governmental ez-
pense that, since ls49. when the plan of
subsid zlng was begun IN England. she
has paid out a total Of more than $780,
0Oo,UO u the owners OF steam merchant
vessels. and these payments are still
beng made az the rate of something
like three millions per year. Not long
ago. subsidy of 500, 900 was granted
for the Establishment Of a new line OF
British steamers from British Columbia
% China, and an additional subsidy of
500 900 for a new line from England TO
Canada j. beng arranged for. Wher-
ever opportunity offers, from time to
tmc, the subsidy system of Great
Britain u being extended 10 new lines
a the Old ones become comparatively
self-sustsining.
Nor IS the statement Of American
free traders that these sums arc paid
tor mail service, auG are not really sub
sides, true One. It Is not only a
subterfuge; 70 d Z lie. In the first
place, direct subsidies are paid TO a So
called class OF merchant cruisers
which are not required 70 carry any
mail bags whatsoever. Again, take the
instance OF the new line across the Pa
NaAata Atr AMAOMAH laiW NLku
and ITALY tor carrying the mails which
this new line Wi carry. according 70
the London Times. Is -, l55 annually.
Yet, ~ order 70 have this mail carried
al tho way by British vessels and TO
encourage Brlt>5 slipping. and thus
British COmmerC af and military inter-
ests. the British government has already
engaged TO pay an annual subsidy of
t.fIH 100 q |~rrr - ~,
as it would cost by the other route,
aud Is preparing, according 70 tho pub
Tic press. 70 pay for the Atlantic service
Al additional $500 COO.
"Of Oh new subsidy the London Tine
ssys that the scheme is not lusti6able
on postsl reasons alone The British
post-ofhce report. speaking Of the gen
sral class of subsidized steamships, re-
marks. To assume that these packets
were only established FOR p0st-office eur-
poses - 70 chsrge the government -lth
the most absurd eXtrsvagance. The
West India packets. for instance. we're
established a. q cost o. f940. 600 per
annum, though the utmost return ex-
peCted from letters vas f40 900, leaving
the 600 600 a clear deficit
Again, IN a letter 20 tho London
Tfpss of September =. 1885, J. Henns.
ker HestOn, NJ. p, writing 70 resent ar
assertion Of the Secretary Of the Treas
urv, that we Great Britsin) are losir :
Efoo0 \ taT. 1885 900 a year. by our
ocean and mail service SAYS 'As a
matter cf fsCt. tl FL subsidies are not
paid To MAKE up A deficiency IN the
postal accounts. bus u order 70 keep up
tho character Of orr merchant feet
These are facts wnich the American
free traders can mes successfully deuv.
Thev show that Great Brfa feels -
strongly tne necessity Of fostering her
commerce tass she PAYS heavy subsidies
% Keep steamer llres m operation. II
We want to compete with her. We sha q
have 20 DO the sane thinr.