New-York tribune., 1891-12-24

quences Of an act which would take from these
people their only possible market and they are
able to appreciate the argument that nation
which takes 20 per cent Of the islands products
is entitled TO better treatment than that afforded
by tariffs that allow her only thirtytwo per cent Of
their imports and on that collect sixty per cent Of
their revenues. At the same time, the way In
which Mr.. Neville Lubbock started in upon his
work at Washington; and the views so indus
trlously circulated here by the local British au-
thorltes, 60 far to maintain the idea that Lord
salisbury was not at first anxious to make treaty
The lines Of argument he took at Washington,
until Mr.. Foster overwhelmed him with such
statistics as contained in my last letter from
this capital claiming that these tariffs did not
prefer British trade simply because the duties
were not diflerential, has been diligently drummed
into the ears of the merchants and planters here.
have talked with at least fifty, and not one Of
them knew, for instance, the fact that they were
raising $4,000 of revenue on $4,000 of Ameri-
can imports. and only eel 900 on f23s, 600 Of
British imports. When these figures were quoted
out of their own blue book, together with the
fact that in this colony the United States were
giving market to 90 per cent of their entire
production, they were quick to admit the justice
of the American demand
ANOTHER ARGUMENT USED.
Still another argument has been put forward
by the local authorities, and that, too, was re-
fected by Mr.. Neville Lubbock at Washington.
They say, he said, and all the planters and mer-
chants and local newspapers are being made to
say, that even if duties on American imports were
lowered, our trade would not be increased. "You
cannot compete with England in cottons, woollens,
millinery goods machinery and hardware, unless
we were to make high rate to the mother coun-
try, and a low rate to You, and that, of course,
is impossible and you already supply us with
all the breadstufs, provisions, meat products,
kerosene oil and tobacco we do or can consume.
So that the only effect OF our lowering tariffs
would be to curtail our customs revenue and 70
render necessary the imposition Of land tax with
out in the least beneHting YOU"
The way the Engshman says that that, Of
course, is impossible" referring TO differential
tariff cottons, etc, in favor of America Is sim
ply delicious. And when you ask him why i'm
possible? ?" he smplt stares. He can scarcely be-
lieve you are in earnest. The effect on the peo-
pie, or such of them as think and read, of the
slant repetition of these arguments is to persuade
many that reciprocity is greedy Yankee trick
which it is ell well enough to play on Spaniards
and Meyicans, but which can't be worked off on
an Englishman There are few down here to call
attention TO the fact that America is the pur-
chaser of all the sugar, moasses and fruits they
raise; that their product is too small to disturb
the American market, but impossible of sale in
any other; that nation which monopolizes their
exports is fairly entitled TO more than ordinary
consideration in their import trade; that differ
ential tariff against Europe could easily be made
which would give them all the revenues they re-
quired, and by the substantially free admission Of
American food products enormously benefit con-
sunners generally: or even that il is had nolicy
TO ride willing horse TO death. The Crown
colonies, therefore, reflect the British view only.
The other is gently, but successfully, held under
But the Crown colonies are not the British West
Indies Barbados, Guiana and Jamaica have 10
be considered, and it is fair to suppose that Lord
Salisbury does not forget the occasion, only ten
years ago, when British Governor was shipped
home, like an assisted emicrant, because he un-
dertook to rule the Barbadians according to the
views of Downing Street instead Of their own.
L. i. Q.