The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-06-29
CONDITIONS in ENGLAND
INTERESTING OBSERVATIONS By AN
INDIANA TRAVELLER.
Causes of English Agricultural De-
preston and the Apparent Dull
ness in Manufactures.

covered one morning that the London pa
pers were considerably disturbed and agi-
tated over an articl, which Andrew Car
negie had written and published in the
Nineteenth Century touching the condition
of labor. industry and business he had
found TO exist in England and Scotland.
Mr.. carnAie was on his annual visit to
the place u his birth. and. as was natural
and usual with him. was taking observa-
tons concerning the condition of trade
and Industry. The tenor OF his article,
while entirely free from the coloring of
prejudice. was pessimistic and gloomy in
the extreme. The editorial page OF each
OF the papers teemed with caustic and
vigorous upon the Nineteenth
Century article. but none could give any
clear and satisfactory answer. In this
province Mr.. Carnegie can speak with
force and authority. for il is a subject upon
which his long experience and the grasp
OF his strong and luminous intelligence
have furnished the most thorough and ac-
curate understanding. In this article. how
ever, though IN the main correct, the col
oring Is rather too dark. The depression
and dulIness which ne observed in Eng
land and Scotland. and which. of course,
appeared greater in contrast with the Won
derful prosperity OF the United States. is
but the natural and normal condition.
The complaint OF what is termed ''agri-
cultural depression" is heard in every To-
cality OF the United Kingdom. This COM
plant does not rise from the failure or
shortage of crops. for the crops have been
fairly good, but from the dull and torpid
condition of the produce markets 1t must
De borne in mind that these countries have
never enjoyed prosperity in the American
sense, but generally a more steady, con-
sentative and permanent condition. on the
whole. perhaps. equally as desirable. The
cause OF the difficulty with which the farm
er has TO struggle in England is so plain
and obvious that the veriest dullard can
understand it.
THE ENTAIL SYSTEM.
The soil Of England, for fertility and pro-
du~ctiveness. Is not surpassed anywhere in
the known world. but the men who culti-
vate this land are not its owners. and their
interest is limited to a mere tenancy. often
brief in it's duration and hard and oppres-
sive In its conditions. / speak of the general
fact and not Of particular instances of
prosperous farmers who hold the para
mount title TO the land upon which they
live. The immense fee simple or feetail es-
tates, which, under the English law of de-
scent and primOgeniture-a legacy which
the feudal system left 10 gall and grind the
people of western Europe-have remained
in the same family for centuries past. and
forever denies the possibility OF prosperous
farming communities. MIR. Gladstone once
tried to make this question a political issue
and boldly declared the power of the gov
eminent 10 purchase the land and enable
the people to secure small tracts upon easy
terms. but this, like nearly all measures
championed by Mr.. Gladstone. never got
beyond the stage of a mere campaign dis
0ncGfon The land estates a r a mana ppd nv
agents of the owners, the terms of the
leases which the tenants are required 10
sign are often harsh and oppressive to
such a degree that only the pressure OF i'm
p~erative necessity would enforce submis-
sion 10 their conditions. With exorbitant
rates OF rent and remOrseless and inexOr-
able exaction in its payment, and low
prices for farm products, hard times for
the farmer is the logical and inevitable re-
suit. This same condition exists in Ireland.
only In more aggravated form and with
more CHASTITY and deplorable results. The
trouble is fundamental. and ii seems to me
that nothing less than revolution can ever
remove 1t.
The enormous surplus products of other
countries are being poured into England
free OF duty, but this, of necessity. would
not be inimical to the interests of the far
mer under a better land system. as the soil.
IL cultivated to its limit of productiveness,
would not yield sufficient for the home con-
sumption. but. under the present conditions
the low prices OF foreign imports help to
make up the sum of the famer's misfor-
tunes.
ANOTHER PHASE.
There is another aspect of the question
which was discussed by Mr.. Carnegie and
which attracted the most attention in Eng
land. The marvellous Industrial develop
ment Of the United States and the vast
increase of its export trade during the
past few years. 1t is argued, threatens and
imperils the long supremacy of England in
the realm OF manufacture and
That the United States is sure TO reach
and hold the primacy of the world in
manufacture. trade and general produce
ton is beyond all question. The rapid adj
vancement of the United States and Ger
many is causing terror and foreboding
among English manufacturers II seems
that not merely the outworks of English
supremacy are being assailed. but the very
citadel itself is being rudely shaken En-
glish national credit Is still the best in
Europe. but her bonds are far below par.
while the bonds Of the United States, bear
ing lower interest, are at substantial
premium.
lend color and corrOboration to Mr.. Car
negie's statements. Ii seems to me. how
ever. that the prospect for England is made
10 appear with too much gloom and dis
couragement. / only hOre he Is correct
I'm the fattering and optimistic view he
takes OF American prospects. Ii must be
borne In mind. however. that otwit
standing the rapid advancement of the
United States and Germany the trade of
Hglaa shows no appreCiablC decline. It's
total volume Is still double that of the
United States and one and a half times as
great a. that of Germany. Ii is the En-
glish MONOPOLY that IS gone; but the En-
Glish supremacy stil remains. There is
no evidence of decadence. but rather the
effect of fierce and growing competition.
England reached long ago her fuli limit OF
production. but neither the United States
nor Germany has reached this limit Con-
tin1Ous growth and development and in
creGsing competition may be expected and
more decline in comparative results. but
England must remain "a strong competitor
In the world strife fer trade and commerce.
In this age o. peace and science. when
evolutionary unrest and multiplying wealth
are making new conditions In every in
habited quarter Of the world. the Anglo
Saxon race is the greatest factor. and Eng
mating power. The field of trade and COM
nlcrce Is ealarging along with the resources
OF manufacture the markets are expanding
along with the production. England has
probably reached and passed the meridian
OF material greatness and power. but her
decline 10 the position OF a s~econd-rate
nation Is set far in the future.
England has been too conservative, has
clung with too much tenacity 10 old GUS
toms and methods. The aggressive and
iconoclastic spirf, OF invention and i'm
provement that has pushed the United
States on 70 such a position as IL now
does not exist IN England. In the open field
OF fair competition American energy. In
genuity and capital have shown their
superiority over English prudent. cautious
and conservative methods OF business.
There Is one province. however. In which