Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-02-21

Not only the protectionists of Phila-
delphia, but those of other parts of the
country are greatly concerned over the
retaliation Of Russia against the unjust
tariff Decentralization imposed upon inn /
ports of Russian sugar into this coun-
try. These imports of sugar amounted I
to only about $500, 900 per year, but the
greedy Sugar Trust could not bear the
idea OF the slightest competition in the
product that 1t monopolizes, and at its
behesy Secretary of the Treasury Gage |
made the ruling that sub ected Russian |
sugar coming into this country to an
extra duty Of Ia cent per pound, on the
ceived an export duty from the Russian
government. The fact that officials of
the Russian government denied that
this export duty was paid had no effect
upon Secretary Gage, and he made the
Russiap sugar subject to the extra duty.
Now. oil this was right and proper in
the eyes of the proteotionists until
Russia retaliated with an extra import
duty OF 80 per cent upon all American
iron and steel products and ma
chinery sent to that country. Then
they became terribly alarmed. They
realized that in return for the tariff
kick over about $500. 900 worth Of Rus
sian sugar per year, American trade
with Russia to the extent Of $50, 900, 900
year was put in jeopardy. Much OF
this trade comes from Philadelphia,
and the protectionists of that hot.bed
Of protection were the first to feel the
alarm and to make protest. They
realized, sfor tue first time in their
lives, that while it was great fun
when 20 Frenchman hunt ze tigaire,"
the situation was not at all humorous
when ze tigaire huEt ze Frenchman T"
Now the report onmes from Washing
ton that deep uneasiness prevails lest
we become involved in great trade war
with Europe that may seriously affect
the manufacturing and commercial
prosperity Of this country, and Secre-
tary OF the Treasury Gage is being
roundly condemned for his ruling with
respect to imports of Russian sugar, at
the orders of the Sugar Trust. But
Secretary Gage is not to blame. He
acted under the Dingley tariff law,
which gave him the authority ne exer-
cised 10 making the ruling. 1t is the
law that is Irresponsible for the threaten.
ing situation, not the ruling of Score
tary Gags. Without the authority Of
the law he could not have made the
ruling that precipitated the trouble.
According to the Washington cor
respondent Of the Philadelphia Ledger,
Secretary Gage would not be surprised
should the lead Of Russia, in the event
it proved successful, be followed by
other European nations. He does not
apprehend general retaliatory move
ment, hut says that it would be natural
should our competitor fight US with
our own methods and policies. We
have for years, with the exception Of q
short interval, imposed and collected
protective duties upon imports. The
effect Of our recent trade growth, be
says, has been felt in the industrial
centres of Europe, and in self protection
the nations there may impose higher
duties upon our products. 1t il
such contingency that is to b,
feared We have excluded imports
from Europe by imposing duties il
many instances prohibitory, ana hav,
set an example, which, if adopted b,
the European nations, would deal GU
commerce blow from which it woult
be slow to recover. 1t is the proba
bility that such policy will be pur
sued on the other side OF the Atlantis
that is causing apprehension in oificia
circles.v
But, even if the situation shout,
prove serious for awhile, good ma
come out Of it in the end. 1t will show
to the satisfaction of even the mos
hide-bound protectionists, that n
country Can long prosper, commercial
aud in its manufactures, under th
selfish policy Of high protective tariff
They will learn that if we want foreig
trade for this country, We must ops
the door for foreign nations to sell I
us !; that we cannot expect them to bu
from us, when we shut the door {
reciprocal trade in their faces. Ant
further Than this, it may induce the
to realize that the natural laws ,
trade are sufficient to regulate the 81
tire matter, without the Intervention
legislation.
The conversion of these pinched pr,
tectionists, even Though it is born of
threatened pressure upon their pocket
is o hopeful sign. 1t is an Indicate
that the days Of high protective polit
for this country are over. That reasc
and business sense, not legislative e
actments, will rule trade. And th
the entire country will, ere long, o
dorse the sound and practical sentime
of the late President Garfield, when
proclaimed: 81 am in favor of pr
lection that leads ultimately to fr
trade
There is an alarming prevalence
pneumonia aud bronchitis in Bal
more, the deaths from these diseas
having amounted 2l7 In January al
lat for Is days of February, this yea
Physicians blame the unusual prev