The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1892-03-18
ENGLAND UNDER fREE-TRApE.

Changes In Industrial Conditions Since
1910.
Years ago, when Mr.. Golden was at
the height of his fame, he boosted, with
no little reason, that the doctrine of
Free-trade was spreading, and that be-
fore many years the whole world would
follow England's example. At the time
Golden spoke he could point with pride
to the vast strides made by English
commerce and manufactures under
Free-trade; it is probable that neither
he nor his associates recognized the
real cause of Englands prosperity,
which they ignorantly attributed to
Free-trade. But we of later times,
who are permitted to look back and
survey the march of events that pre-
coded and followed the advent of Free
trade, recognize that after all Free-trade
was an insignificant incident among the
great events which have developed the
existing grand conditions of the whole
world out of the state Of things which
prevailed before 1910. These events
were the adaptation of steam power to
manufactures and navigation, the use
of iron in shipbuilding and the applica-
ton of the screw for propelling ships.
England was the first to comprehend
the enormous advantages offered by
these discoveries, and was at the time
better fitted than any other country to
avail herself of them. Her coal and
iron industries, her manufactures and
foreign commerce, were already far ad-
vanced beyond those of other countries,
Her merchants saw their opportunity,
and before other nations were prepared
to enter the race had already really
monopolized the commerce and man.
ufactures of the world.
Since that time her rivals have been
slowly at first, but more and more
notwithstanding the distance between
her and themselves, until now there is
scarcely any important manufactured
article which is not to a serious extent
exported to England and sold in her
home markets in competition with her
own productions. A few years ago an
Englishman would have been ridiculed
who ventured to affirm the possibility of
England losing her supremacy in manu-
features. Today organized bodies of
her citizens are agitating to secure pro-
tective legislation, and many Of her emil
nent public men are speaking and writ
ing to call attention to England danger
from the success of her rivals.
The most striking illustration of this
changed attitude of English thinkers
may be found in a recent article in The
Nineteenth Century, popular English
magazine, by James Keith, in which he
asks, "What are the advantages that
the Americans have over us in this coun-
try?" One extract will suffice to indicate
the character of the whole:
Provisions of all sorts in America
are very cheap, much cheaper than with
us in the old country, cheap though we
think our food may be. Therefore the
cost of actual living is very low, and
though clothing, luxuries, labor and at
tendance are considerably dearer than
in this country, still the average Ameri-
Cdu WoIhudh lives IOO per CeuC. DeUUeT
than the average workman does in
Great Britain, because he has higher
wages and cheaper food in greater va
riety."
The writer's conclusion is found in
these words:
"On our present lines it is utterly i'm
possible for us to keep pace with our
great competitor, and it behooves our
people, and especially our statesmen, to
be stirring"