Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1898-07-28
DINGLEYIsM AND THE WAR.
Impractfcability of the Protection
Theory I'm international Conn
plicatiOns.

1t would be an unexpected but per-
haps not strange development of the
policy OF imperialism If it should COM
pei the republican party to abandon
it's outworn fetch of protection. to
which it has chung so hard. Doubtless
the struggle viii be severe, and, in
deed, we find that the contemporary
platforms of the party, adopted in
Ohio and Vermont the other day, are
characterized by even more than the
customary partisan fervor of admira-
ton for the supposed triumphs of Din
gleyism. But the politicians are al
ways the last to observe tendencies.
They follow and do not lead. They
have so far failed to understand the
lesson of the tremendous increase in
our export trade in manufactured ar
ticles, which is absolute proof that no
protection is needed to enable our
goods to compete on even terms with
the best of foreign make.
If in addition to the lesson of these
conditions there IS added the effect of
international complications which
must follow extensions of territory,
the time must come when the pro-
tective theory will be found imprac-
ticable as we'll as absurd. It's demon
strable absurdity has not hitherto
hampered or impeded politicians of the
Dingley type, because most of them
are incapable OF understanding the ar
gument, and the others regard protec-
ton merely as good molasses to catch
flies. If, however, protection should
be found to stand in the way of extern
sions of territory, then protection will
have to go.
We ara accustomed, for instance, at
the present time to hear great deal
of vague talk about an alliance with
Great Britain, and that alliance, to
the extent at least of moral support,
is regarded as a necessary condition
to the extension of our territory by
the acquisition of outlying islands. 1t
may not be denied that should Eng
land join the other European powers
In putting veto on the acquisition of
foreign territory by the United States
it would be very serious business.
The fact is that England is the only
power in the world which we need fear
on the sea. France may have bigger
navy, but we need not shrink from the
conflict. The fact is that England has
the only navy in the world organized
| for offensive as we'll as defensive pur-
poses. The other navies are well
enough, perhaps. along their own
| coasts, but take them a thousand miles
from the home base and they are
| crippled for want of coal.
1t will be conceded, therefore, that
/ England's concurrence and moral sup
| port is a condition precedent to the
extension of our territory. Now, what
| is the price of England's moral sup
| port? Obviously, no matter how much
| thicker blood may be than water, the
red fluid is quite likely to grow thin
| where the advantages of bargain are
all on one side. If, for instance, we
should undertake a protectorate of
| the Philippine islands, and thereupon
/ should extend the protection system
/ to our new dependency, such a meas
| ire would prove very trying to the
| newborn affection with which we are
regarded by 'our kin beyond the sea-"
In fact, plain statement of the price
of English support is found in a recent
number of the London Outlook, which
is semiofficial. We quote:
IF the United States allies herself with
England to enforce in China the policy of
an open door. or. that policy falling, will
agree with England to adopt in all the new
countries they may respectively open some
such reciprocal trade rights as are enjoyed
by England and France lin the West Afri-
can settlements under the new Niger con-
vention: If agreement for either of these
purposes be possible, 1t should be possible
also to enlarge the free trade area which
the genius of Sir WilfredLaurier contrived.
Canada, Rhodesia, and now, through her
governor, western Australia, all have ac-
cepted the broad principle, according to
British goods an open door. Other great
colonies will follow suit, and 1t will then
only need the accession of the United
States to the arrangement to present to the
world for pattern or reproof an English
speaking trade alliance"
AN English-speaking trade alli-
ANGEL" A year ago the republican
leaders would have shouted Urea
son!" had anybody suggested such a
measure. Now they listen calmly
when all sorts Of reciprocity treaties
with Canada, with Australia, with
England and everything that speaks
English. If you add to this the policy
of the ''open door" in the far east, you
will have about as good an imitation
of free trade as the most wicked
schemer in the Golden club could de-