Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1901-05-31
M'KINLEY FALLACY.
THAT TRADE FOLLOWo OUR
BELOVED FLAG
Into Dark and Godforbidden Places
Long on Patriotism and short on
Ecsnosnies-D ssppointment Noted on
Every Hand.

economics, would be fair criticism OF
President McKinley's speeches, for
his idea that trade follows the flag will
not bear investigation. I'VE want to
send the products of our farms, our
factories and our mines into every
market of the world, to make the for
eign peoples familiar with our products
and the way to do that Is to make
them familiar with our flag" That is
what the president said at McComb,
Miss. 1t is possible that he wished to
convey the idea to his Southern hear
ers that men and guns were to accom-
pany the flag and shoot American
goods down the threats of foreigners.
for besides its barbarity and cruelty,
1t has not been success where tried
by other nations. But perhaps the
president was thinking of the ship sub
sidy bill and thus forcing the flag to
the front. Hanna thinks that way and
it is known that they agree on po-
litical matters.
The fact is that trade does not fol-
low the flag, our greatest trade is with
England and Europe and there outside
Of our legations the flag is rarely
seen. We have had the flag raised
over Cuba for some time, two years
or more, and we are losing ground
instead of gaining.
American manufacturers who looked
for large increase in their trade with
Cuba upon the expulsion of the Span
iards, says the Chicago Chronicle. are
disappointed and looking around for
explanations. The events of 1899 led
them to believe that their expecta-
tions would be realized. The value of
cotton goods, for instance, exported to
the islands, increased considerably and
reached over s990,000. In 1900 there
was sudden drop to 1897 800. a de-
crease of more than two-thirds. This
was not due to falling of in demand,
for importations from other countries
Increased far more than those from
the United States diminished. The like
Is true in greater or less degree as
60 various lines Of goods.
An explanation which is offered is
that Spanish officials collected full du-
ties on goods from all countries ex-
cept Spain, but passed Spanish goods
practically free when they were sufi
GENTLY seem" When American Off
Gals took hold importers expected
American goods to be similarly ia
vored Finding themselves mistaken
in that respect. they bought less In the
United States.and more elsewhere, for
reasons which are not clearly stated.
Probably, however, the reasons were
various, such as more satisfactory
credit, lower prices and goods better
suited to the Cuban demand.
AS result we may expect certain
classes of manufacturers to appear in
Washington lobbying for either legis-
lation or some sort Of reciprocity
treaty which will give them an arti-
fetal advantage in Cuban markets, but
they are surely to be met by sugar and
tobacco protectees protesting against
any concessions in exchange for the
special favors desired by these Ameri-
can manufacturers in Cuba. Our Gu
ban relations are not settled yet by
any means.
From this it will be seen that the
fallacy of the dogma preached by the
president that trade will follow the
flag is equal to that other illusion, pro-
lection, of which the president has
long been the high priest