The Washington times., 1901-07-23
Circulation Statement.
The German Thrift Menace.

Unless the German Government is
better able to Withstand the agrarian
influence in its Legislature than it has
appeared to be for several years, it is
probable that the proposed increase in
the tariff on farm products will be en-
acted to the great detriment of Ameri-
can trade with the Empire. 1t is un-
derstood that Ambassador White will
be instructed to protest politely against
such legislation though on what basis
of logic or consistency we are at loss
to conceive. This country places pro-
hibitive taxes on the farm products of
other States whenever they are cOnsid-
cred capable of competition with any
domestic article. Witness the instance
OF Sumatra tobacco, which pays duty
of from one dollar and eighty-five cents
unstemmed, to two dollars and fifty
cents stemmed, for the benefit of the
Connecticut Valley leaf growers. The
RepuBican party considers it a sacred
duty TO shut out foreign sugar, rum,
fruits. and everything else merchanta-
BILE by the planters of other agricultur-
al countries, but is horror stricken and
angry whenever foreign Governments
attempt to adopt and apply its policy
and fiscal methods.
Protest will do no good. Retaliatory
measures would be foolish in that they
would accomplish nothing but an in
crease of the present European irri-
tation against the United States. What
is needed is reciprocity, and the re-
moyal by Congress of the chief Dingley
distractions to commerce Whether
anything of that kind is to be expected
or not is a question. For the sake of
the sacred principle of monopoly. tie
Sugar Trust has compelled the Wash
ington authorities to make tariff war
on Russia ana destroy a trade which
was already important and growing
greater. that the American refiners
might be relieved from the competition
of a few thousand dollars worth of i'm
ported Russian sugar per annum. 1t
is to be feared that the Gage-Oxnard
incident is to be taken as an earnest of
the attitude the ultra-protection ele-
nent viii assume at the next session
of Congress. If it should prove strong
enough to prevent tariff reform. even
TO the extent of reciprocity treaties
with Germany France, and other COM
mercial nations, then we may expect
exporting business.
The German agrarians are the exact
prototypes OF our own prohlbitive tor
If men. For their own advantage they
would gladly have the common people
of their country compelled to pay double
what they now do for the necessities of
life. and so reduce the standard of living
that the German artisan would Sc on
become mere beast of burden They
are no more blameworthy than Ameri-
cans like Hoar. Hawley, AIdrich, and
the like. whose evil example they imi-
tate.
The people of this country want
peaceable and equitable trade elations
with the German and all other nations,
and do not want perpetuation of ar
tificial conditions that are rapidly rem
dering such relations Impossible or
course, the mere fact of wanting a thing
in a vague way may not bring it, and
as yet our masses are singularly apa-
thetic in regard to the expressions of
tariff fed nUnopolies which dictate the
price of most commodities at home,
and. through the vicious legislation they
are able TO buy, subordinate all the
commercial interests of the country to
their own selfish aims One of these
days the people may wake up to a real
ization OF the real situation and pro-
ceed to remedy it at the polls. But,
probably, It VIII take a severe lesson
or two taught from across the Atlantic
TO rouse Them from their letharsy.