The sun., 1901-08-13
INTERNATIONAL TRADE WAR.

Some learned economists have heen dlS
cussing the question, will Europe fight
America? Conclusions about it dilier.
But all opinions coincide as to the cause
of trouble. in the near future, between
this country and a combination Of Euro
pcan nations nS the outcome of Amcri-
cas- commercial supremacy. the drstrnc-
tion of European Industries and the fur,
ther impoveriShmcnt Of the people.
The problem which confronts Europe is
the control of its own markets. 1t is an
admitted fact that Europe cannot feed
its population-with all the colonial ex-
pansion that has made England Il
dominant power around the globe, and
with colonies in every cline. the people
of England would 20 hungry if supplies
same is true of the whole of Continental
Europe, Because of crop failures France
is said to need 60,000,000 bushels Of wheat
out of the present worlds wheat crop.
Under such conditions the threatened
destruction OF the manufacturing indus
tries, out of which come the support of
the people and the nations. presents Scr-
ous phases Of Il problem which cconom-
lists say will be appealed to the arbitra
mrnt of war for solution.
The war theory seems, under the cir
cunlstanccs to he unlikely of adoption.
1t would neecSsitate long preparation in
-.
to the ancient practice of building and
filling national granarirS-out Of which
to supply both people and soldiers dur
ing the war. which, il embarked in,
wonld not he one Of short duration II tho
assailantS Of this country are to bc 80
equipped az to avoid speedy defeat. This
all appears to be unlikely.
The other side Of the problem, or
rather the other and more probable
theory of Europr's defence, is trade r.
st!ictinnS in the shape of prohihtnry tau.
ifs. Accompanying these will, doubtless.
also h" the adoption of American meth.
ods Of Manufacture. Reasonably il is 4,
be supposed that the prohibitions will IL
against manufactures. 1t would BE- clear
ly inipoliiic to increase the costs Of fom
under depressing industrial conditions
Englands example in that matter stand
as Il worlds lesson. Even III the aayi
of her manufacturing and commercial sll
premacy She could not afford to inpas
even rcpruSSive tax upon the trade i
food products With that suprcmac
gone, and IN industrial revolution threat
encd. ANA Europe still dependent npo
America for food. its importation canno
be even restricted. Ii follows that Z
source III defence must hc had to III
encouragement and sltStrnauec of til
manufacturers. The tariff war hat
threatened will he against manufacture
-Gcrmahy will proScribc the America
Shoe more certainly than She Will Il
American hog
The effect upon American contmcGc
viii MT 10 serious. With IN opcn DO
assured in the far East. including eoi
troll &c Philippians, Cuban trado, Al
with South .\mrrican trade awltn
capture and Development, the thrcalc,t
trade war du"s not appoal u BE- i S"rio'
matter 50 far rs American manufacture
arc concerned. \ now world opcns
them While He prevailing condition
in tn" worlds provision market rrma'
counting Ships and soldiers equal 4
military subjugation II Amrrir;r al,o
whc economists are talking and wri
ing, appears Improbable if not lnpo
siElr Il is notable that no daugrrs
The present situation are discovered ~
eNrloitai IA the npron"hlS " thr Amr
can lratsc,iyr policy.