The record-union., 1897-08-02

LONDON. Aug 2.-The denunciation
by Great Britain Of the commercial
treaties with Belgium and Germany
is the theme of discussion in the Eu-
ropean newspapers.
The Chronicle says: ''It is the
triumph of free trade on a great and
imperial scale. It is a curious coinci-
dence Of fate ahat it should be the
work Of a Ministry permeated by the
fallacies of protection"
Discussing the effect Of Great Bri-
tain's action upon the United States
and Germany, the Chronicle ex-
presses the opinion that the former will
certainly not be the gamer, while Ca
NADIA cannot lose by the new condition
of affairs.
Other papers express similar opin-
ions. All are agreed that great step
has been taken which viii bring Eng
land nothing but gain. 1t has been a
long time since an important act of the
Government has met with such univer-
sal approval in Great Britain.
The chief Belgian organs receive the
announcement without protest. Bel
GUM annually exports to England B.
100000 pounds sterling more than she
imports. 1t is not likely, therefore,
that the Government will place any OBJ
structions in the way of the proposed
new treaty.
The French press displays undis-
guised satisfaction at the prospect of a
tariff war between England and Ger
many, a conflict from which it cannot
but derive advantage.
l,
Francois regards Great Britain's act
as a Confederation of the principles of
protection, and predicts a general rise
of European tariffs against British and
colonial products.
The German papers, on the contrary.
maintain comparative calm, with the
exception of few of the extremist
order. Greater anxiety is felt as to
the possible action of the British col
onies in favoring a protection policy
with reference to sugar, in which Ger
many is trongly interested. The Lib
eral papers accuse the agrarians of be-
ing largely responsible for this blow
at German trade" and argue that Ca
NADIA, finding her products excluded
from other countries, desires to retail
ate, while England fearing the result
of the rising tide of agrarianism in
Germany, decided to be prepared in
time for all eventualities.
GERMAN NEWSPAPER COMMENT
BERLIN, Aug 1.-The 'Kreuz-Ze
tung" says that the denunciation of the
commercial treaty with the German
zoIlverein is Great Britain's first step
toward the protectionist system, and
adds:
But there is no ground for serious
alarm, because she has her carrying
trade to protect and retaliation to fear.
Moreover, a one-sided preference shown
to Canada might provoke a conflict
with the United States
The National Zeitung' says that
Great Britain is herself the nation
most interested in the conclusion of a
new treaty, and that Germany may
gain much by skillful, cold blooded
diplomacy.
The ''Vossische Zeitung' says: so
far as Germany's relations to England
are concerned, it is a matter of in
difference whether We have a treaty or
not"
The "Berliner Tageblatt'' says:
Great Britain's intention to join the
mother country and the colonies in a
customs union viii not induce her to
restrict British trade with Germany
any further than is necessary to attain
this object"
The three last-named papers all
agree that it is quite out Of the ques-
ton for England to adopt protection.
BRUSSELS, Aug. 1.-The ''Moniteur"
officially announces the fact that Great
Britain has renowned the commercial
treaty with Belgium, but adds that the
British Government has intimated its
readiness to negotiate a new treaty.