New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-07-20
JJJNTS FROM BIRMJNGHAM

1.-The birmingham POST has recently pub
lished some striking evidence III relation 10 the
impression made in England by the success oil
the American Reciprocity policy IL undertook
TO condemn Lord Salisbury proposals respect
ing retaliatory tariff, and at once received
strong letters of protest from influential mer-
chants in the West Indian trade. One of these
letters was written by Macmillan Lindner, the
leading member Of the largest mercantile firm
in Birmingham lie asserted that there was
almost a general collapse OF English business
with the Spanish West Indies in consequence
of the negotiation OF the Reciprocity treaty
with the United States. lord salisbury
views" he added "On our commercial policy
recommend themselves to all practical men OF
busineSs. When | tall. the matter over with
other merchants or manufacturers nine out OF
ten share nv views" To this "The Birmine-
ham Post'' offered the feeble reply that the
fact that many merchants shared Mr.. Lindner
Protectionist views did not make them any
sounder or "appreciably nearer realization"
Another influential merchant took issue with
the statement that English goods would con-
tinue to find their way to Cuba through the
United States, since tho Americans found it
chcapcr to buy certain articles than to make
them themselves ShOvels, nails and gas-pipe
were mentioned in tho list of manufactures
which Americans could not ford to produce"
To this the English merchant replied " Now
shoyels are made in the States rs cheap and
as good as they can be produced here. In many
kinds of nails the American prices are as low
az ours or even lower and in gas-pipes there is
hardly any difference, while the fittings for
some Of American make are cheaper" The
conclusion was that large classes of English
manufactures would be excluded from Spanish
American ports if the Americans were allowed
to have preferential tariff rates.
The birmingham Chamber of Commerce, in
GLIDING most of the prominent merchants and
many manufacturers OF the city, discussed the
West Indian tariffs at q recent meeting. While
il did not 20 to the length Of passing resOu-
ton in favor of Lord Salisbury's retalatory
nroect it was evident from the tone of the
discussion that the members were deeply i'm
pressed with the gravity of the situation. Some
of the speakers found relief in dcnOuncing
American competitors as lacking in scruples
and principles Others regarded retaliation as
absolutely necessary for the protection of Eng
lish manufactures One excited member cx-
claimed: "The last argument left to Free
| Traders that our present system gives us the
command of the neutral markets is thus ex-
plodcd. Our boosted free trade is nothing
more or less than an economic vampire the
Ghost OF Il dead idea. which is eating the vitas
Of our nation while we are sleeping" The
metaphors were confusing, but the indignation
was wholesome.
All these hints from Birmingham are full Of
instruction for American voters. They disclose
the fact that the Reciprocity policy, which is
denounced by Democratic partisans as sham
and humbug. is making a very deep impression
in Frce-Trade England. They show that the
truth about the effect of American Protection
in cheapening production and lowering prices
is known in England although it is not told