New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-07-18


tria' development be unparalleled I'M recent
times it would have broken all records and have
been absolutely unprecedented II she had
adopted free trade This Is the Golden Clubs
method OF reasoning. based upon the two as
sumptions that free trade has the force of q
divine revelation to mankind. and that political
economy Is an exact science. like mathematics
and not variable science OF human nature
MT Courtney remarks. with fanatical credulity:
germany has done well under protection but
she would have done much better under free
trade; and then he smiles In the superior way
that is characteristic Of a doctrinaire who no
longer walks by reason. but by blind faith
The Germans are more practical In their Geo.
Monies. They have tried free trade and have
not rrospered under 1t: and they have brought
about magnificent development OF their in
dustries and commerce under protection and
reciprocity, and they have no intention OF abap
doning system which has promoted the well
fare OF their country. They do not attribute
their prosperity to a single cause; they ascribe
much of their success to their own energy. SCI
entnc education and small economies: but ex-
perence. which is better than any theory. has
taught them that protection is the true system
for Germany.
The German people are quick to profit by the
example Of other nations. and also to avoid re-
peating their mistakes. They adopted protec-
ton In consequence OF the unexampled pros
perty Of the United States during the fifteen
years which followed the Civil War. They have
witnessed recently the reverses OF fortune which
have accompanied the partial population OF
the protective policy in America, and there is
nothing in that experience that will tempt them
to scale down their tariff In the interest OF Eng
land They have their tariff and their reel
prOcty policy based upon give-and-take prin-
ciples like those OF the Harrison treaties OF 1871
and they will not be emulous OF the recklesshess
Of the Cleveland Administration in lowering the
tariff TO a deficiency and bankruptcy level and
in abrogating twenty conventions which were
highly favorable to the export trade. There IS
no movement in either direction in Germany
The tariff Is yielding an abundant revenue and
imparting tremendous impulse to Industrial
development and there is not the remotest
probability that it Will be changed when 1t Is
working well and minsterng directly to the
prosperity OF old towns like Aachen and new
centres Of manufacturing like Crefeld. The
commercial treaties, embodying Mr.. Blaine's
reciprocity idea. opening new markets lot
German manufactures, and exercising an IN
MIGRATING influence upon general trade Ihere
Is no likelihood that policy which has doubled
Germany's iron and steel trade with Russia IN
two years will be thoughtlessy abandoned Nor
the sake Of giving England better control ovVr
Germany's home market
STRANGE ANOMALY.
II the employers and artisans Of Aachen had
either the leisure or the disposition 10 lhihk
deeply about these matters they would prop
ably be unable to understand the anomaly
which American practice has presented. III
1892 the United States, after an unexampied
career of prosperity under protection suddenly
broke out in revolt against the system or which
IT had been the foremost champion III Engish
free-trade principles had not been more gener-
ally adopted among nations. 1t was manly De-
cause America had taught the world that a peo
pie could develop its resources ana attain 10
the highest levei OF material progress under
protection. While England was unable to make
converts TO free trade, even among Its own
colonies the force of American example was felt
throughout the world There was protection
fst league against England. because the United
States was prospecting under protection. Yet
when America in harmonious relations with
protectionist Europe and with England's pro-
tectionst colonies. and In hearty accorc with
the reciprocity SYSTEM 1t deserted It's allies ana
converts and this, too. In year when Brit
ish Prime Minister witnessing the triumph or
reciprocity principles. in which England as
nation without a tariff could have no part had
proclaimed that free trade a beautiful
principle but 1t not working policy. IL
was strange anomaly. and the practical Ger
man might be pardoned II he found II an in
scrutable mystery.
But the plain business men and rrugai "orh-
ers of Aachen do not attempt to understand
these vagaries 1t Is enough for them 10 KNOW
that there is a home market secured Tor then
under protection, and that their products are
carried into Russia, Italy and Austria Hungary
by equitable conditions OF reciprocity, ana INTO
South America England. the British colonies
and the Far East by the intelligence and enter
nr,se Of their mercantile classes. There Is
steadiv increasing market at home and ABROAD
for German goods and English alarmists are
crvine aloud. What shall we do to be saved
from German competition" The Industrial
energies Of the old capital Of Charlemagne are
os,;r. there are swarms Of workers in every rae
tory and the streets at night leachg 10 the
ancient Minister and the mediaevai Rathhaus
GRO thronged with a happy. contented popu'a-
tim There arc no signs of revolt against "ei-
MON nrosperitv under protection as there were
T., ,.o Irrited states during 1892 against Ameri-
can prosperity
SIXTEEN BODIES RECOVERED.