New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-04-06
A BRITISH ZOLLVEREIN.
AR CHAMBERLAIN'S SPEECH AT THE
CANADA DINNER-IMPERIAL FED
GRAFTON WITH A TARIFF
AND CORN LAWS
London. March rs.

AND CORN LAWS.
London. March e.
Mr. Chamberlain is coming over. Last sum-
uor he electrified the British colonies with pro-
zeal for developing the neglected estates of the
rmnire with grants from the Exchequer. Then
50 took what his admirers described as prac-
.,ca, step toward the attainment OF Imperial
rsderation. He asked the Governors Of all the
,o,onias for detailed information respecting the
.x.ent to which foreign imports were displacing
,,a,,sh goods in their markets and the causes for
any decline OF trade with the mother country. He
,so solicited information respecting Colonial
,-oaucts. which might be advantageously OK
.or,ed 10 the United Kingdom or to other por-
.,ors OF the Empire. Without waiting for the
.o,,,,ete returns of Colonial trade, he has now
.ronosed discriminating tariff In favor Of all
~. aenendencies of the Empire against all COM
.,re foreign countries The prosperity of the
FLa,tsd estatec is TO be restored, not by rail-
80, nor improved cable facilities. nor by i'm
TO, grants for local improvements, but by a
,.c,ivo system aimed against everything that
Is no; British
NJ Chamberlain. il is true does not explain his
Ito, IN these terms But his principle of free
"a. uithin the Empire can only be embodied
a., tariff system against foreign countries. and
consequently il involves reputation of Cobden's
LOS His speech before the Canada Club may
no az his supporters assert. the beginning Of
rrssb era in the relations Of the colonies to the
,,otber country but It Is also radical departure
from the economic principles which have ordered
ord directed the commercial policy Of Great
Britain for half a century.
FREE TRADE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. WITH
OUT.
The thesis Of this important deiverance is set
forth with Mr. Chamberlain's usual lucidity. He
assumes that there is universal desire for closer
union among all the members Of the Empire, and
that experience has shown mat ut can be most
hopefully approached upon its commercial side.
Since all suggestions which have hitherto been
made have not been sufficiently favorable to the
mother country he affirms that a true zolverein
for the Empire with free trade established IN
side and the imposition of duties outside. would
be a proper subject for discussion, and might lead
to satisfactory arrangements. This policy would
involve the sacrifice Of the principles of free trade
which have hitherto been held sacred ana IN
yiolabe II might also increase the cost OF living;
but Il would substitute commercial interests 1or
loyal sentiment and create an indiv!sible Empire
The principle which Mr.. Chamberlain asserts
must be accepted is that. as between different
parts Of the Empire. protection shall disappear
and that the duties shall be for revenue only.
He excerpts tobacco and spirits. and other articles
which are subject to strictly revenue duties; but
otherwise he considers II possible TO have aoso-
lutte free trade within thu Empire. He does not
illustrate practically the operation OF his zoii-
verein. but It is not difficult to do this If Cen
ada opened its markets Internationally to Eng
lish importations ii would require free entry ior
Its own wheat and other food products, and dis
eliminating duties against American, Russian
and Argentine cereals. If the East and west
Indian colonies entered the imperial zollverein,
they would insist upon having tariif upon Ter
man beet sugar with free market for their own
cane sugar. II Australia consented TO THIS I'M
periel measure Of free trade, 1t would require
compensating duties to be levied against Argen-
tine WOOL 1t is a worldwide Empire. with in
Vulnerable industries and interests. and complete
free trade within would involve comprehensive
protection without. The proposed policy would
be proclamation to the world that England hao
denounced Cobden's principles.
Astonishing as Mr.. Chamberlains proposition
is. the leading English Journal apparently ac-
cepts It without a qualm. The Times" does not
attempt, as he does. to juggle with Mr. Cobden's
treaty with France. and to make 1t preceden.
for the abolition Of fr-e trade principles: but it
assumes that customs union for revenue is en-
firelv consistent with them. Then II comedies
abruptly enough that an imperial tarin OF that
sort would involve changes such as the reimposi-
ton Of the shilling duty on foreign corn and the
taxation of foreign sugar, and that these de-
partures from the English practice OF fifty years
ago would be denounced increasing the cost
of the peoples food. That certainly was what
Golden and Bright did in their day most
yehemently Still The Times" chooses to mini
nize the proposed changes, and remarks quietly
that IL the English people are not prepared 10
make any sacrifice however slight, to bind the
colonies more closely to them, and to secure IN
the future the control Of their Immense ana
RAPIDLY expanding trade, there Is no more 10 De
said The slight sacrifice which they are asked
10 make is the abandonment OF the free trade
system and the re-ena ,tment Of corn laws.
AN IMPERIALIsT FIRST
NJ. Chamberlain is an Imperialist first and
Free Trader incidentally. or al least secondarhy.
although I am a convinced Free Trader" ne
remarks an the sense that believe that the
theory Is undoubtedly the theory upon which the
world would become more prosperous. yet am
not sufficient Of a pedant that II suincient al
vantage were offered 10 me would not consider a
deviation from the strict dogma" All ne wants
is an adequate quid pro quo. and then he Is APP
parently ready TO recast the commercial pohc'
OF England and to impose revenue duties as ne
calls them. wheat sugar and anything else
Why Golden himself" he exclaims )auntHy'
took this view In making the French treaty ana
II cannot be expected that We as disciples shouio
be more behind than the Apostle OF free TRACE
himself" The quid pro quo. which apparently
would justify in his estimation the sacrifce OF
free trade In Englands dealings with foreign
countries Is imperial federation. which can be
approached only on the practical or commercial
side. II cannot be brought about 50 long as
England retains the present system OF unre-
stricted importation from every quarter OF the
globe. With a tariff fox revenue only Mr. Cham