The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-01-04

When Hon William Wilson. Of West
yirsfnia. originator Of the much
amended Haveneyer bilI, was enter
tanned by his London admirers just
prior 10 the late election. he took occa-
sion 10 warn hts isoets. the nanafact-
urers, that they raust prepare for
sharper competition in the worlds mar
kets from American manufacturers
than they had heretofore experienced
On his return to his constituents he
told them that one Of the objects OF
the bin was TO Set cur producers out
into all the markets Of the world.
While this Same bill was under discus
sion in congress the country WAS prom
ised, Immediately uIson IT'S adoption.
rapid recovery from industrial and bus
iyess depression and an Increased for
eigu demand for cur manufactured
products.
The country has been wafing-not
patiently, perhaps. because patience
under existing circumstances is hardly
possible-but waiting TO note the prom
ised increase OF our foreign trade, and
the predicted expansion of demand
from the worlds markets." sssat were
20 fly open with such aiacrity. Thus
far their vigil has been unrewsirded by
any indication of the promised trade
revival. On tire contrary. with over
four months ausleation OF the new
tariff schedule to our foreign trade. the
record shows constant decline, instead
OF the improvements so giibiy guaraIa-
teed By its sponsors and abettors.
On every hand we are threatened
with commercial conflicts. some OF
which are already well under way.
Germany and Denmark have excluded
our cattle, and the former nation has
laid a prohibitive retaHatory tariff upon
one OF our staple exports. Spain has
subjected imports from this country
into Cuba and other West Indiil islands
to discriminating duty which has
wesl-nIgn destroyed the trade in -four.
salted meats and potatoes, and Canada
has fallen heir to 1t. Our exports TO
Brazil are decreasing, as IS the case
with all countries with whcm treaties
of reciprocity had been negotiated. In
short, official statistics show that in
stead OF the promised increase our ex-
port trade with all foreign countries
has diminished monthly since the new
law came into operation.
1t Is manifest that the sympathetic
warning of Prof. Wilson to English
manufacturers, to look out for disas-
trous competition from this country.
was at least premature, IL not indeed
the ''baseless fabric OF a vision" We
certainly have not as yet caused any
serious disturbance abroad by our COM
naercias or manufacturing rivalry under
the new law. To the contrary, our con-
suas throughout Great Britain and on
the continent report that there is gem
seral relief in places and industries
which largely depend fos- prosperity
Upon the sale Of their manufactured
products In this country, ami which.
during the operation of the Mckinley
law, were forced to clnail production
and in many cases to suspend work
entirely. The fact is that tie Have
meyer bill. notwithstanding it's several
hundred amendments In the senate-aal
in the direction of proteetion--has not
justified the predictions nor met the
hopes of Its least sanguine friends. Tt
is a thing of shreds and patches and
bids fair not only 10 produce an INSULT
cient reventte-which Is bad enough
but 10 Involve this nation in CONNER
cial conflicts both disastrous and I'M
necessary.