The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1901-08-24
European Feeling Toward America

Prof Suess, the noted publicist.
Of Vienna, is urging a European COM
mercial combination against the United
! States. and it is morally certain that
he comes much nearer representing Eu-
| ropean sentiment than do those par
| tisans who study the situation solely
for the purpose of finding something in
| it that will sustain and uphold the
| tariff policy of the Republican party.
NJ. Leroy Beaulieu, the eminent
! French writer on economics. takes the
same view, and a few days since ex-
j pressed the opinion that some action
of a concerted nature would be taken
! by the leading European States for the
protection of their interests. Upon its
| being suggested to him that there were
! antagunisms that would make Euro
pean combination very difficult. NJ.
Beaulieu replied that it was not neces-
sary that they should enter into an ac-
tual commercial combination: that by
each State acting separately, and re-
taliating on behalf of its own special
interests. the same end could be at
tanned.
stand high in the estimation of Europe
and they speak, one from the French
and the other from the Austrian point
of view. We have already had a taste
of Russian retaliation. and we are quite
likely soon to get a very much heavier
dose at the hands of Germany. 1t is.
therefore. easy to see that the future
is full of possibilities for trouble.
Prof. Suess lays especial stress upon
the attitude of the American trusts.
which, entrencked behind an impassa-
BILE tariff wall at home, are aiming to
capture the European markets also.
Naturally this is q matter Of deep con-
Germ 10 European Governments, and
they are certain to take mea sures for
the protection of their own people. The
progressive States of Europe will never
allow their industries to be crushed by
the operation of the overgrown trusts
of this country. They will simply shut
our goods out of their markets. and the
effect upon US will be just the same
whether they act in combination OF
separately
European economists are probably
attaching too much Importance to the
mere trade balance in our favor This
will necessarily diminish as soon as the
payments have to be made in cash.
Europe has bought so largely because
she could Pay in something else than
actual money. and just as soon as gold
has TO be sent in considerable amounts
to America, It will check the purchases
of American goods. At the same time
a portion of this balance results from
the sale of American products which
European producers are anxious them
selves to furnish, and in this aspect of
the matter it is not strange that the
trade balance attracts much attention.
Wise or unwise, the measures adopted
by European countries for their own
protection are certain to injure us. and
referring to the matter in its last issue,
"Bradstreet's' says: Might 1t not be
well. for example, to adopt the policy
of reciprocity with a view of avoiding.
as far as possible, the imposition of
the high tariffs with which American
exports are at present threatened
abrcad?" True enough, 1t might be
well. and il will be still better to re-
move every Yestige of the tariff from
those products controlled by the trusts,
which are the prime cause of our com
rnercial troubles abroad. and the op-
pressors of the great consuming public
at home.