New-York tribune., 1901-10-28
AMERICA AND OTHER NATIONS.

The story of some time past is repeated. Or
perhaps we should say the stories, for indeed
there are two of them. One is that America
has come 10 the fore of all nations in commerce.
The United States is the greatest exporting
nation in the world. Despite the alleged "Chi-
nese Wall" of protection. which according 10
your simon-pure Cobdenite shuts exports IN as
well as shuts imports out, this country is send
ing more goods abroad than any other, and the
volume of its exports is growing more rapidly
than that of any other country. A year ago its
average monthly exports were less than those
OF its only serious rival. Great Britain. by
SIS, 100000 Now they exceed them by more
than 100000. The next competitor Germany.
is more than S26,OO0OOO behind. This gain Of
the United States is partly due TO the decline
Of commerce OF other nations but partly also
TO an increase in the export trade of this coun-
try the increase in the year being nearly
81 500 900 a month.
The other story which is repeated is the talk
OF European combinations against the United
States Austria particularly is discussing ''the
American peril" member of the Reichsrath
is endeavoring 10 form an international organi-
zaton against the advance Of American trade
He points out that twenty years ago. backed
up by the tariff and by the whole industrial
system of the country, American agriculture
triumphed over that OF Europe, and that now,
backed by the tariff and by triumphant agri-
culture American manufacturing industries are
moving 10 repeat that victory over Europe, with
prospects OF success. Therefore, he argues
agriculture and manufacturing industries in
Europe should unite for mutual protection and
advancement and all Europe should unite in
adopting such tariff systems Will afford pro-
lection against the aggressions of these terrible
rha iG
suggested as a model worthy OF imitation by
Austria and other lands.
The structural weakness of this anti-Ameri-
can scheme is obvious. II is apparent in the
facts that the German tariff, IL adopted. will
not unite agriculture and manufactures but
will put them at loggerheads and sacrifice one
for the welfare OF the other; that as is pretty
generally admitted. that tariff will not after all
materially initiate against American trade in
Germany and that all such measures conduce
not to harmony and union among the European
powers. but rather 10 reprisals and tariff wars
At this very time Austria-Hungary is meditat-
ing campaign Of reprisals against Germany
in case Germany adopts the tariff, and
there is a pretty serious rift in the fiscal lutte
between Austria and Hungary themselves
while both Germany and Austria Hungary are
in the depths of financial and industrial depres
sion and generalization. Indeed, so much AT
loggerheads are the countries OF Continental
Europe upon the subject of tariffs that both the
Dual and the Triple leagues are regarded by
many as in danger OF disruption from that
cause.
II would be neither fitting nor discreet for
the United States to exult in these European
embaTassments, and TO be encouraged thereby
10 go 10 reckless extremes OF policy. Honest
friendship and commerce with all nations must
continue 10 be the rule OF this country and the
practical application OF that rule will cOnstrain
the United States 10 desire the prosperity rather
than the ruin Of European States But, on the
other hand, the United States is not TO be STAN
peded by a menace which is obviously nothing
but brutum fulmen. The nations of Europe are
planning and legislating for their own advan-
tage, and for the promotion Of their own indus
trial and commercial welfare. IL would be folly
10 say the United States is not entitled 10 do the
same. We have not heard OF any European
nation shaping its policy according to Ameri-
can desires. Why. then. should American pol
icy be shaped according to their desires? Surely
this nation is as independent and sovereign
as any in the world. Some one nation must
necessarily be foremost in commerce. and il
would seem 10 be only logical and right that
such nation should be the one which Of all
enlightened powers is foremost in area, in popu-
lation and in resources.