Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-03-05
Cause for Retaliation,

l
In brief paragraph in our issue Of
February goth we urged the propriety Of
the United States enacting retaliatory
| legislation in return for the action Of
France and Germany in closing their
ports to the further Importation of Amer
| lean cattle.
In an editorial February 2Sth, advocat-
ing similar action, the Boston Journal
presents some facts that are we'll worthy
of consideration. 1t recalls the fact that
the present administration came into
power upon platform promising the
American people an extension of the for
eign trade. To this end the Wilson
German tariff bill was enacted; and as
one of the results of this legislation and
of the general Democratic policy, most
of the Blaine reciprocity treaties, under
which our foreign trade had made such a
wonderful growth, were abrogated. Today
the country has the spectacle, after two
years of Democratic rule. not of an in
creased trade and friendiiness with foreign
powers, but of general tariff war against
this country. France, Germany and Bel
GUM have closed their ports to the further
mark and Austria have taken steps in the
same direction. Spain has been threat
ening to inaugurate retaliatory measures
against what she considers to be the I'M
Just discrimination of the German tariff
law and has only been withheld from
such a course by the vigorous protests OF
her West Indian dependencies.
1t is not our purpose to analyze the causes
that have brought about this result, so
far as our foreign trade is concerned
Most of them must be palpable to the in
telligent observer of public events. Ger
tainly the American people are feeling the
results of them in the hard times that still
fetter the enterprise and industry OF the
land. 1t does seem to us, however, that
when such countries as France and Ger
many, without the slightest cause in jus
tice or reason take action hostile to the
farmers of the United States, it is high
time for this government to do something
besides enter feeble protest. The Presi-
dent has ample power to take retaliatory
measures that will bring both OF these
countries to their senses in short order.
The fifth section of the acts of 1890, re-
lating to the inspection of meats for
expectation, reads as follows:
"That whenever the President shall be
satisfied that unjust determinations are
made by or under the authority OF any
foreign state against the importation to
or sale in such foreign state of any pro
duct of the United States, he may direct
that such products of such foreign state,
SO discriminating against any product of
the United States, as he may deem proper
shall be excluded from importation to the
United States and in such case he shall
make proclamation of his direction in the
premises, and therein name the time
when such direction against importation
shall take effect, and after such date the
importation Of the articles named in such |
shall be unlawful. The |
President may at any time revoke, modi |
fly, terminate or renew in any such direc
ton as in his opinion, the public interest |
may require"
Referring to this clause the Boston |
Journal says:
"This act never has been repealed. 1t
gives the President full and absolute au-
thority. Does Germany close her ports to
our cattle and make agreements with |
other countries to harry our trade? Let
the President forbid the importation of |
hosiery from Chemnitz, or of dress goods, |
or of sugar. Does France think it worth |
while to join the war? A proclamation
against the importation of French silks |
and wines would cause the French gov
to take very different view of |
the situation. So with the other countries
which are legislating against our foreign |
trade. Let them understand that we are
prepared to hit back, and they will not
embark so readily in tariff wars against
u.s."
1t remains to be seen whether President
Cleveland will have the firmness and
courage to meet, in behalf of the farmer
If this country, the action of France and
Germany with such prompt and decisive
l sober appreciation of the fact that they