The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-05-10

The logic OF the commercial progress
this country is making in Europe, and
the whole world for that matter, plain.
" forewarns rock-rooted American pro-
tectionists that the archaic and porcine
fiscal policy they worship is nearing its
end. Mr. Mckinley has offered broad
hint of this in his recent declaration
that it is markets and not maxims'
that the nation wants; and there are
many stronger expressions from abroad
telling us that the time cannot be far
distant when We shall have to elect be-
tween a saner tariff systeD' and eco
nomic and perhaps physical war with
the combined States of the old World.
Only day or two ago NJ. Jules sieg-
fried ex-Minister of Industry, Com
merce, and the Colonies of France, said
in an interview in Chicago: If the
great trusts of this country encroach
on European markets to the detriment
of European manufacturers, l predict
combination of the commercial coun-
tries of Europe to raise tariffs on Amer
lean goods TO almost prohibitive fig
ures." He continued:
There is but one logical solution OF the
present situation and that Is the signing OF fair
and equitable reciprocity treaty between the dit
ierent nations. / always have been in favor OF
such treaties because they foster trade and ill.,
crease the trendliness of the political relations
between countries party to them. 1t really Is
the only logical solution of the approaching
trouble.
DO | believe a combination of European
Powers is probable in the near future? Well, 1t
will follow after several of the countries have
heir their
facturers.
You are a wonderful people and your country
is marvellous in its resources, and when your
competition becomes so great as TO be alarm
ing the combination of Governments will be a
very Astural result.
Under reciprocity this situation would be
aln,ost irnuossible. Take my own country,
France. for example. We buy steel, iron,
and machinery from England, but we could buy
il from your mills just as well. Under reel
procity agreement between the two Governments
We could come 10 you for our steel, our iron,
our coal, our machinery-and, in fact, nearly all
the material used in our manufactured industries
On the other hand we would send you our gloves
our fine linen and lace and cotton goods, and me
commercial relations established would bring the
two countries into closer and more cordial poll
teal relations. 1t would be of benefit TO boil"
The most hide bound protectionist in
America is not at liberty to suppose
that the trans Atlantic Powers will for
ever permit the trusts to shut their
commodities out Of American markets
by means OF prohibitive tariff, and
then utilize the opportunity it gives
them to squeeze American consumers
out of the means which enable them TO
underselI the manufacturers Of Europe
in Europe. at an immediate loss more
than recouped by extQrtion at home. AS
NJ. Siegfried says, if the Yankee mo-
nopolies shall be felt to jeopardize for
eign industry, foreign Governments will
not be slow in resorting to a counter
vailing" scheme which, in a little time,
would naturally blossom into a general
coalition and an economic war against
us
Such eventualities could readily be
pro idvJ against by reciprocity. Nobody
understands this or the necessity for
such an arrangement better than the
President. Congress, as yet under the
influence of a congeries of protected in
terests great and small, has been una
BILE to escape control and pass any Of the
many reciprocity treaties nov pigeon
holed on Capitol Hill. But some of the
most influential of the trusts, like the
steel and oil combinations, which have
no vital need Of protection" are begin
ming to realize the truths Of the situa-
ton, and, next winter, may use their
power over legislation to help the Ad-
ministration in securing ratification for
these commercial conventions.
Reciprocity is polite word f0 some
thing which in principle is free trade:
only confined To our commercial rela-
tons with countries willing TO give con-
cession for concession. 1t is a system
which could not fail to benefit all
classes of business generally, while il
might tend to cut down the enormous
ana unwarranted profits of few mo-
nopolies. The leading people who have
been for a generation at the head of the
protection cult in the United States, in
Guiding, Of course. Mr.. Mckinley him
self. are now pleading and working for
reciprocity that is for the Democratic
policv Of tariff for revenue only, mas
ouerading under name adopted by its
Republican advocates to cover the fact
, Of their conversion. They l+now as well
as we do that the Chinese wall of Ding
| leyism, which has been fearful blst
upon the landscape Of American prog