New-York tribune., 1896-03-30
PROTECTION IN TIE BRITISH EMPIRE

Mr. Chamberlain sticks to his text. His speech
before the Canada Club last week has been by
some deemed startling 1t should not be. II
contained no novelty. II was mere restdtemcnt
OF plans and principles put forward by the Colo
NAL Minister some seven months ago Al that
former date some OF his hearers were startled
More were incrclulous thinking he was talking
merely for the sake of talk. There were those.
however, who took his words seriously, AMI their
Judgment Is now vindicatci. In this latest ut
terance he repeats his former words. with added
emphasis and circumstance and with the added
weight Of mature deliberaton. There j. no cccsi-
sion now for skeptcism Right or wrong. he evi-
IDENTITY means what he says. and means to put his
words into the concrete form of deeds accom-
pshed
Briefly stated, his plan is to adopt the Amer
lean tariff system throughout the British Emp'r'
lie would have free trade between the various
members OF the Empire. as there IS between the
States Of this Union. Toward the rest Of the
world he would have "A tariff system that would
afford protection TO British Industries. both agri
cultural and manufacturing. That would be- OF
course. TO abandon Cobdcnlsm. as every other
country in the world has already done; which
would cause the existing remnant of the Man
chester ScnOOl 10 rage auSl'T'Il uSiiHNi ihi' H'"
and growing birmingham School. II would also
be 10 bind the Empire together with stronger
ties OF material interest than ever before; which
would be wormwood and gall 10 the tongues of
the Little Enganders. But who shall say that
such scheme !s not only logical and practical,
but also absolutely necessary for the perpetual
ton OF the British Empire?
Mr.. Chamberlain sees that the British colonies
afford some Of the best markets In the wor1.
markets which are steadily and rapidly growing
IN importance He sees that Germany and other
Powers are getting n fOothold in those markets
and are threatening TO crowd the British out.
That Is one reason for this scheme to preserve
the British market for the British trader But he
sees far beyond that. These colonies are bccom-
ing great nations. In time they Wilt surely sever
their connection with the mother country, unless
It can be made to their interest 10 remain in the
Empire lie proposes to make II TO their inter-
est to do so. Hitherto the weary Titan" has
been bearing the dead weight OF colonial bur
dens, with no prospect but to see some Of them
fall Off and he forever lost to him. Mr. Cham
berlain would transform those burdens into
active and efficient coworkers. united TO the
Titan by bonds Of mutual interest 1t Is an i'm
perial scheme worthy Of an Imperial Minister
The most practical question to be considered,
and the one Of most interest to the United States,
is whether the Empire will be found TO be self
supporting. At present the United Kingdom Is
dependent upon other lands for its food supply.
1t gets grain from the United States and from
Russia, and much Of Its meat too, from this side
Of the Atlantic. VIII the wheat fields OF the
colonies, and their stock ranges, be able to sup
port the demand? If not, the hated corn laws
will be revived and the food Of the people be
taxed. VIII India and British Africa be able TO
| supply the splndles OF Manchester with cotton?
II not, there will be strenuous opposition to the
| placing OF n tariff upon American cotton. The
success Of Mr. Chamberans plan will depend
upon the development OF colonial resources and
| upon that Improvement OF the neglected estates
| of the Empire which he has also announced as a
| part Of his programme. 1t Is n mighty under
taking from whatever point Of view it be re-
| garted. 1t Is one that will be observed with
peculiarly keen interest in this country partly
because Of the possible effects Of 1t upon amer
lean commerce, and partly because It Is an adop-
| tiop Of the American system by the very Power
which has hitherto been most hostile 10 II.