New-York tribune., 1897-08-11
EOREIGN TRIDE RELATIONS.

1t Is not difficult to understand that the COM
mcrcial position of the United States occasions
some irritation and heart-burning in other coun-
tries This land has been so governed in recent
years as to become a sort of pasture lot for the
browsing of English, German and French man.
ufacturers When fellow has possessed an
other mans umbrella for about four years he
is apt to have a profound sense of ownership
therein. perhaps all the more intense and ag-
grcssive because Of the sub-conscousncss that
his proprietary claim Is a fraud. 1t seems as
II Germany and France had n shade of this
feeling. The French Government Is educated
and polite as ever and does not coarsey demand
q property not its own. and yet some feeling is
betrayed by a vlce-presidcnt Of the Chamber
of Commerce. If correctly reported in published
interview, who observes that France has no
"way at present Of bringing pressure to bear
ION the United States" Which, being inter-
prcted. sgnieth that France may need hun
dred million bushels of wheat this year more
Or less. and cannot quite afford to pay two
prices for II.
The German attitude Ia the bald assertion of
q right to destroy American industries as much
as possible under cover Of the most favored
nation clause. After that Power has bound
itself in amlcablc trade relations with the
United States. and with the veritable "Art-thou-
nhealth-my- -brother:' spirit has proceeded to
subsdze every sugar factory which undersells
American works in American markets. it de-
nes the right of this country to impose counter
vailng duties on imports from all countries
alike which thus attack its industries The
claim that Germany no longer enjoys most
favored nation rights IL it's sugar Is not adj
mtted here at the same duties with that of na-
tions which pay no bounties on exports is one
which would not be nakedly exposed to the
worlds Judgment by Power like France.
The United States has been governed for some
years so largely in the interest and for the
benefit Of foreign nations that they find some
difficulty in overcoming the feeling that this,
pasture lot belongs to them. American citizens
have different feeling and with the most
friendly regard for Germany and France and
other Powers they assert the right TO fOrtify
ana build mp their own industries. 1t is not an
act of hostility TO Germany that the United
States seeks Independence in sugar production.
it enmity to England which prompted
the transfer Of tinplate production from Wales
10 the United States. Every nation has first
Of ALL and behind and above all foreign rela-
tions, the right to develop the resources and
build up the Industries of its own people Ger
many has so wisely and so thoroughly pursued
that course that it has less excuse than most
other Powers for questioning the right No
treaty can by any possibility be 50 construed
as to deny the right of Selfp eservaton to either
of the nations making t.. If the United States
finds it practicable and essential to develop an
industry here. no other nation has right to
object. anG the sufficient proof Of American
rights I'm that respect is that Germany could not
profess 10 have any reason for complaint il, in
stead Of duty on Imports this country had
granted bounty on sugar production twice as
large rs that paid by any other nation.
In brief the era Of government in the United
States for the benefit of other countries has
ended. 1t is not an unfrieEdly spirit which has
prompted It's termination. Germany and France
and England. and every other nation having
trade with the United States. will in the long
run he benefited far more by DEVELOPMENT of
the highest prosperity here than by prostraton
OF American industries. During the last few
years. though buying n much greater propor-
tion OF its supplies of certain goods from other
countries than ever before the United States
has. nevertheless. been To them much less
valuable customer. The consuming power of
the people. which at its best is not far from,
third of the whole worlds consumption In many
branches, has been so far diminished that even
the mucll-increased proportion supplied by other
countries is in amount smaller all imported
products considered than their former sales to
the United States. The self-defcnslve policy
which has prevailed most of the time for nearly
forty years. has made this country the best and
most profitable market in the whole world, and
Americans desire 10 make il still better. not for
the benefit Of England Germany or France and
yet not regrettlng that those nations will share
the benefits of American prosperity.
Peace peace!" the Emperors cry at St Pc
tersburg but their empires behind them are