New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-01-19
AID FOR THE WEST INDIES.
PROPOSAL OF THE BRITISH GOV
ERNMENT.
TUE SUGAR INDUSTRY TO BE HELPED TO TIDE
OVER CRISIS. MR.. CHAMBERLAIN
sAYs-HIs SPEECH MEETS
sCANTY APPROVAL.

sCANTY APPROVAL.
liverpool Jan. 1S-The Liverpool Chamber Of
Commerce gave a dinner this evening to the
p,sht Hon Joseph Chamberlain. Secretary Of
c,a,e for the Colonies. Lord Strathcona and
Mount Royal was also present Mr.. Chamber
lain was greeted with much enthusiasm, and a
srecial cheer was given for Mrs. Chamberlain.
who was with him.
Mr. Chamberlain. in the course Of vigorous
snd important speech. referred to the great
changes in commerce during the last twenty
wears Since the great Powers were bitten
u,,h the megalomana with which the Ger
mans are accustomed 10 taunt US, as If ii were
our exclusive peculiarity. the German Empire
has increased sx-fold and the French four-fold;
while England" he said. has only added
modest third 10 her colony empire" Answering
the argument that It is useless TO colonize bar
20, wastes. he pointed to the magnificent enter
misc of the Canadian Pacific Railway. that had
onened Up a vast country of the greatest wheat
colds and was about 10 open what were perhaps
the greatest gold fields in the world.
Looking to the certainty" he said, that we
are likely 10 be excluded by hostile tariffs f'om
any country where the British flag does not
float our present policy is to take very firm
attitude and 10 maintain free markets What
the foresig Of our ancestors has done for us
{, huild,rg great empire we must continue
N do for our successors This is not the policy
Of aggression or lawlessness. We have three
fold duty: First to keep what rightly belongs
TO us; second in Lord Rosebery's admirable
words. 10 peg out claims for posterity'; and.
third 4 any one tries 10 rush those claims.
gently to prevent them" daughter and
cheers)
referring 10 the fast that sacrifices OF
territory and our general forbearance ana d9ler-
ence 10 the sensibilitics of our allies nave only
resulted N our being told that we are the pest
hated nation Il Europe" he repeated Lord
salisbury's warning. there is a limit 10 this
forbearance" After a repetition Of the Old Zoll-
verein aspirations which he described as less
absurd than some have supposed" Mr.. Cham
berlain said: we must seek in our own family
the strength and support we shal never ma
from foreign nations, and with th!s view We
must be ready to respond TO any colonial over
bnr Looking 70 the wider interests Of the future
Then came the weghtiest portion or the
speech Mr.. Chamberlain reviewed at lenglh
the West Indian question and the report OF the
Royal Commission thereon. and emphasized the
great injury # the bounty system, Whlch'
while running the West Indies, brings a gam
estimated al - 100000 yearly 10 Great Britain
The Government he said believed the country
generous and just enough TO remedy this cry
ing Injustice" He was glad that Belgium had
anticipated Great Britain in calling a confer
ence on the subject. and hoped this might sue
coed better than former conferences.
There We're many objections. he continued, to
countervailing duties. which would Involve us
IN commercial treaty difficulties with foreign na-
toas" but the main objection was that while
the trade they wished 10 save amounted 10 Two
hundred and sixty thousand tons, Great Brit
aims own sugar imports amounted 10 one mill
ion five hundred thousand tons Il seemed un-
scientific 10 benefit the former by injuring the
latter.
Therefore" he sad 1.-The Government has
decided TO exhaust every alternative before hav-
ing recourse such drastic measure. and
feeling that the recommendations Of the Com
rissoners. though good. would not work quickly
enough, the Chancellor Of the Exchequer has
consented 10 propose TO Parliament very large
grant in ala TO the West indies. The grant
will not be so large as the Incidental gain
Great Britain derives from lhe bounty system
hut It will be large enough TO enable the in
dustry end the population 70 tide over Crisis
until Continental nations recognize the impolicy
OF the bounty system"
the immediate relief measures 10 be proposed
in addition, which he said he could not as
yet explain in detail, would stimulate the
sugar industry and enable all wel-managed es-
tates 10 hold their own, while tending to the
ultimate prosperity of the colony"
London Jan. 19-Mr. Chamberans West
Indian scheme. outlined last evening at Liver
pool. meets with scant approval The Times
says: 1--WE are not greatly enamored Of the sys-
TEN of doles to which by some fatality the pres
ent Government has resorted with unusual fire.
Quency."
The Standard" warns Mr. Chamberlain that
his PROPOSAL "savOrs Of protection" and that
he must be prepared 70 deal with criticism
The Daily News also promises Mr. Cham
berlain that the Opposition twill deal with his
plan on its merits when 1t appears and asks
Whether he has forgotten the vehement lam
euage in which he condemned the late Govern
nent for voting a small grant TO Newfoundland.
The Daily Mall confesses to feeling OF
'intense disappointment. especially after the
ringing imperial note Of the remainder OF the
speech"