New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-28
PROTECTION AND AGGRESSION.

1t is natural to judge others by ones self. 1t
Is almost inevitable that this shall be done to
some extent in almost every case Of human
judgment In many cases 10 other standard
is available and even II one Is, the personal
factor Is certain to intrude itself That is one
reason why human judgments are so often
wrong. for the measure of man or ma ton
Is seldom accurately or justly TO be applied to
another. We have hitherto called attention to
the difference In point Of view between Spain
and the United States, and the consequent in
Justice that each Is likely to do the other. A
similar Injustice Is done by many Europeans in
judging the United States tariff system by their
own: by judging. that Is, n tariff for Protection
by tariff for Aggression. The vast difference
between the two Is readily made apparent by
a comparison of our own system with the tariff
war that has been raging between France and
Italy, and has Just been brought TO close by
a treaty OF commercial peace.
The war had It's origin in 1881. At that time
France seized Tunis, which was in fact. an
italian colony and which Italy thought should
be the same in law. Angered at that. and
seeking defence against other aggressons. Italy
in the next year Joined Germany and Austria
Hungary in the Triple Alliance. France replied
in 1854 by forbidding Italian vessels to engage
In the French coastng trade, and Italy retorted
In 1851 by excluding French vessels from her
coastlng trade. Two years later the CONNER
ciaI treaty between the two nations was abro
gated SignOr Crispi doing the job abruptly after
an Interview with Bismarck. Doubtless the
latter had urged him to do it, partly because
It would hurt and annoy France, but also, and
perhaps chiefly because he knew the destruc-
- bofw Ero nd Ifo1
greatly increase and benefit German trade with
each Of them And trade between France and
Italy was all but destroyed. Thus italian ex-
ports to France fell from $90.000,0OO 10 $22.-
100000. and French exports to Italy fell from
$62, 100000 to $3O.OOO.OO0 a year Moreover.
s1OO,OOO.OOO of French capital was withdrawn
from Italian Industries. The result was all but
ruin for Italy. That nation suffered one Of the
worst economic crises in agriculture, real estate
and manufactures any nation has ever known.
That 1t survived it, and after years Of prostra-
ton rose again into renewed prosperity, is n
magnificent proof Of the vitality, thrift and in
domitable energy of the Italian people.
Now another commercial treaty has been ne
gotiated between the two countries. and the
mutually bcncfccnt relations of twenty years
ago will be resumed. That is well. But 1t is
fessors Of the Dismal Science should point to
that tariff war and its results as horrible
example OF Protectionism At any rate. 1t is
nc example at all Of Protectionism as under
stood and practiscd in the United States. The
tariff war is no part Of our system. The differ
encc between protective tariff and revenue
tariff is no greater-indecd. it Is much less
than that between a tariff for the protection Of
home Industries and n tariff for the destrnc
ton Of foreign Industries We are well aware
that some pronlgate foes Of the American sys-
TEN have declared that the United States tariff
is framed for the express purpose Of causing
distress abroad. and that its authors rejoice
to hear OF Frustrated Industries and starving
workmcn in foreign lands The monstroslty
Of the libel Is Its own ample refutation. OF
old the American motto was "Not one cent for
tribute. but millions for defence" To-day II Is
In tariff matters not one cent for the destruc-
ton Of others. but all for the protection Of our