The times., 1901-05-10
Europe and Dingieyism.

The logic of the commercial progress
this country is making in Europe, and
the whole world for that matter, plain
ly fOrewarns rock-rooted American pro-
tectionists that the archaic and porcine
fiscal policy they worship is nearing its
end. Mr.. Mckinley has offered a 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 systeT 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 predict
combination of the commercial coun-
tries of Europe to raise tariffs on Amer
ican goods 10 almost prohibitive fig
ures." lie continued:
There Is but one logical solution Of the
present situation and that is the signing of a fair
and equitable reciprocity treaty between the dit
ierent nations. ! always have been III favor Of
such treaties, because they foster trade and in
crease the friendiness OF the political relations
between countries party to them. Ii really is
the only logical solution Of the approaching
trouble.
DO l believe a combination of European
Powers is probable in the future? Well, it
will foloE after several OF the countries have
f1ta4r fbaIr
facturers.
you are a wonderful people and your country
is marvellous in its resources and when your
competition becomes so great TO be alarm
ing the combination Of Governments will be
very Hatural result
Under reciprocity this situation would be
almost impossible Take my own country,
France for example We buy steel, ron
and machinery from England, but could buy
il from your mills just we'll Under reci-
procity agreement between the two Governments
We could come 70 you for our Steel our iron,
our coal, machInery-and, IN fact, nearly all
the material used in manufs sctured industries.
On the other hand would send you our gloves,
our fine linen and lace and cotton goods, and the
commercial relations established would bring the
two countries into closer and more cordial poll
teal relations. II would be Of benefit TO both
The most hide bound protectionist in
America is not at liberty to suppose
that the transatlantic Powers viii for
ever permit the trusts to shut their
out Of American markets
by means Of a prohibitiye tariff, and
then utilize the opportunity it gives
them TO squeeze American consumers
out Of the means which enable them to
undersell 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 viii !
not be slow in resorting to a counter /
vaning" scheme which, in little time, |
would naturally blossom into a general |
and an economic war against |
US.
Such eventualities could readily be |
provided against by reciprocity. Nobody |
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
bic TO escape control and pass any of the |
many reciprocity treaties now 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-
tion, and, next winter, may use their
power over legislation to help the Ad-
in securing ratification for
these commercial conventions.
Reciprocity is polite word for some
thing which in principle is free trade; I
only confined TO our commercial rela-
tons with countries willing to give con
1ession for concession. 1t is a system
which could not fail to benefit all
classes Of business generally. while it
might tend 10 cut down the enormous
ana unwarranted profits of a few mo-
The leading people who have
been for a generation at the head of the
protection cult in the United States in
.luding. Of course, Mr.. Mckinley him
self. are now pleading and working for
that is. for the Democratic
)olicy Of tariff for revenue only, mas
iuerading under a name adopted by its
Republican advocates to cover the fact
f their conversion. They know as well
IS we do that the Chinese wall Of Ding
eyism, which has been a fearful blot
lpon the landscape Of American prog