New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-06-29

pulse has been impaired to Imperialism by the
provincial tour OF the Colonial Premiers through
the centres 81 commercial England and Scotlahd:
Ii sentiment with Solo SuD-stratuin vi
business underneath it,
But while there is a new and practical spirit
of Imperialism based on commercial union. me
zo.lvCiein problem is bcset with as many DIM
cultes IS Imperial Federation grounded upon
political unity. S.i George Turner Premier or
Victoria one of the strongest Protectionist COLO
MES. has asked this significant question: When
England has colonies spread all over the word,
with varying climates and magnificent re-
sources. why should she not receive from them
ALL or nearly all. that she receives from foreign
countres? That is the basis on which he is
willing to enter into negotiations for an Imperial
Zollverein. He contends that England cannot
receive preferential treatment in the Colonies
without returning the favor That implies Free
Trade within the empire and a tariff against
the remainder of the world. 1t is Mr.. Chamber
lain's zolverein proposed with a tariff on food
products. wool and raw ma terials, which are
now supplied mainly from the United states.
Argentina, Russia and the European Continent.
That is a policy which involves remuneration
of Cobdenism with its fundamental principles of
cheap food and free raw materials.
Mr.. Seldom. the democratic Premier OF New
Zealand, is hearty and effusive in all his express
sions of loyalty to the mother country. but when
he takes up the question Of Imperial trade he
assumes that the first proposals must come from
the Home Government. That Is to say. England
must offer the Colonies some special advantages
in the home market over competing rivals before
her merchants and manufacturers can have pref
opens her markets on equal terms to all nations.
She must discriminate between Colonies and for
eign nations before Zollveren can be estab-
shed. The sacred principle OF Free Trade must
be sacrificed on the altar of Imperial unity.
Nr. Laurier has begun by Offering England
preferential treatment in Canada without stipu
lating for an equivalent concession, but he ends
by declaring with emphasis that the new tarl1t
will have to be reconsidered and withdrawn If
Germany and Belgium are entitled to share In
the benefits by virtue OF the most fav ored-na-
ton treaties Canada has made proposals which
have been received with enthusiasm by CONNER
cial England but she insists upon being met haic
way by the mother country. The treaties with
Germany and Belgium must be abrogated even
at the risk of disturbing English trade with the
Continent. and of inviting retaliation from the
most active and enterprising OF commercial
rivals
Canada does not, after the manner Of Victoria
and New-Zealand demand at the outset quid
pro quo but she strikes at Imperial treaties, ana
resOlutely maintains that these mus! not be al
lowed to stand in the way OF commercial reclp-
rocty between the Dominion and the mother
country. The Laurier tariff has been received
with joyful acclaim in England but 1t Is by no
means certain that the Foreign Office is pre-
pare! TO meet its obligations to a loyal and
grateful confederacy of Colonies and TO abrogate
these important Continental treaties.
Mr.. Laurier speaks Of the evolution OF the re-
lations previously existing between England ana
the Colonies as the greatest problem Of the reign
So if is and the statesman who solves II VIII be
Prime Minister and the most conspicuous ngure
in English history. Whether Mr.. Chamberlain
will succeed in working IL out. snail not venture
to forecast: but he seems less likely to fail than
ANYBODY else. Meanwhile. it is at least notice
able that the Duke Of Devonshire. who mas Deen
considered a Radical Free Trader. has discov-
cred that Cobdenism is inconsistent with the
genius Of Imperialism; and that the trend OF
public opinion in England during the Jubilee
nerod is in the direction of a Zollverein grounded
upon a revival Of tariff legislation. l. n. +.