Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1903-02-05
Reciprocity Retaliation.


national golden rule, but reads with a
material variation, .'Do unto others
as they actually do unto you"-not as
you would have them do.
The golden rule literally would
mean free trade, throwing wide the
gates and fostering commerce. We
would have other nations admit our
excess of products and manufactures
free OF duty; but selfishness, pursuing
mistaken notion of our best inter-
ests, steps in TO prevent our granting
the other fellow that which we desire.
Reciprocity as practiced resembles
David Harum's peculiar axiom. "do
others, and do them first" Our tariff
was raised for the purpose OF .'induc-
ing" other countries to admit our
goods. '.Inducing" is benevolent
process as compared to that actually
employed. We use the tariff for a
bludgeon to batter down the other
fellows walls. 1t is at once threat,
a weapon and defense.
Reciprocity is nominally based up
on the idea that all countries shall deal
upon equal footing, but in reality our
political commercial diplomats" fout
the idea of absolute fairness and use
the tariff to secure preferences and ad.
vantages for home pets and over other
nations. Instead Of peaceful meas.
ure, reciprocity is source OF constant
warfare.
1t is impossible to recall so-called
reciprocity treaty which, in operation
did not soon disclose unfairness on the
part of one nation; and nations are
constantly "denouncing' reciprocity
treaties. Legislative rebellion against
discrimination" and tariff s'wars'
between countries proceed with mo-
notonous, never-ending persistence, to
the detriment Of both parties.
Tariff wars are inevitable while re-
ciprocity is the vogue. In response to
Germany's recent denunciation of our
tariff relations with her came Senator
Lodges resolution directing an in.
qulry as to whether certain countries,
meaning principally Germany, are dis
eliminating against this country, and
that, In the event that "certain coun.
tries" are discriminating, preferential
duties shall be given to other coun
tries. Coming on the heels of the Re
publican party's statement that oul
tariff rates were put up to be knocked
down when occasion warranted, the
Lodge resolution affords additional in
sight to the meaning of reciprocity al
practiced by the present administra
tion. Reciprocity would seem to b.
one with retaliation.
Not the most ardent advocate o
protection. however, will maintain
that tariff wars are beneficial to thi
country or to any other. In tariff war
all nations are equal and the smalles
Is able to defend itself against th'
greatest. 1t matters not that war /
suicidal to the. nation that wages it
for ipstnnce, though shutting ou
American wheat would mean brea,
famine to Germany, Germany woul'
not hesitate to raise her defenses II
Ievent OF our discriminating" agains
her. The costs OF tariff war, lik
those OF armed warfare, must be pai
| by the country which wages 1t. Ger
tain products from other countries W
require; shut them out and we suffer
Rabid protectionists admit this truth
The old casuistry that we are sell
sufficient country has long ago bee
abandoned.
Free trade would accomplish uni
versal peace where tariff wars no,
prevail. 1t would be substitution {
the genuine golden rule for retaliation
Free trade in this country. indepeni
emily Of others, would benefit us; sine
we suffer by reason of our own tariff
1t would lead speedily and directly t
free trade practically throughout tn
earth.-St. Louis Republic.