Arizona republican., 1903-09-20
PHOENIX. ARIZONA, SEPT. %. 100;
The Chamberlain Programme.


For a long time to come the people
of the United States will observe with
keen interest the shaping Of political
events in England. This interest wac
awakened by the publication of Colon
ial Secretary Chamberlains preferen-
tial tariff scheme, and it has been
heightened by Mr.. Chamberlain's spec
tacuIar retirement from the Balfour
cabinet on Thursday and by
the certainty that in the near
future there will be gen.
eral election in which the question
of tariff or free trade will be the chief
issue There is abundant reason for
this American concern, for the pro-
gramme of the new tariff party which
Mr.. Chamberlain has called into being
is aimed directly at the United States,
and almost at the United States alone
The Chamberlain policy was clearly
and briefly stated in our cable dis
patches yesterday wherein the Birm-
ingham statesman was quoted as eX-
planning to a constituent the objects
of the tariff reform league. These OBJ
jects, he SAYS, Are first, closer
union. to make the empire self-sufficing
as regards its food supply; second
the employment of a tariff as a weapon
to secure greater reciprocity with for
eign nations. or, failing such arrange
ments, to prevent loss to the home in
~,
of protected countries by rstaliating
upon them the treatment they mete
out to u.s." In other words, Mr.. Cham
berlain would have England abandon
her time-aonored policy of free trade
and impose tariff upon food products
and manufactured articles of other
countries. Subsidiary to this, there
would be preferential tariffs in favor
of Canada, Australia. and other British
colonies-practically free interchange
of products between England and he-
colonies, tariff wall being maintained
meanwhile against all other countries.
The significance of such departure
can be grasped when it is remembered
the United States for considerably
more than half of her food supply. It
means that the people of England are
to be asked to pay a higher price for
bread-and in fact nearly all articles
Of food-in order ostensibly to foster
trade with the colonies. The rapid de-
velopment of the Canadian northwest
and the certainty that wheat in en-
ormous quantities can be raised there
has led Mr.. Chamberlain to hope that
in a few years England may be relieved
in a large measure from dependence
upon the United States. 1t is obvious,
however. that for years ard years the
taxpayers Of tho British isles would
have to carry Il heavy burden while
waiting for the colonies to bring their
production of the staple foods up to
British requirements.
But this part of the programme is,
after ALL mostly cunning shield for
Mr.. Chamberlain's real policy. The
scheme of preferential tariffs is ex-
pected to capture the ina gina ton of
the colonies while the programme of
reciprocity is being worked out. No
body has ever accused Joseph Cham
berlain of being weighted down with
the milk of human kindness. He is
colby calculating in all his maneuvers,
and deep concern for the welfare of
Canada and Australia is not his NOV
In &c air iS 70,
British manufacturers from the Amer
lean invasion" During the past few
years American manufactured goods
have been pouring into England, Scot
land and Ireland in a steadily increas-
ing volume. British manufacturers
who scarcely more than ten years ago
controlled the worlds markets now
find the very markets at home taken
away from them by the impudent
Yankees. American methods of manu-
facture. American brains and American
energy have entirely distanced the
English manufacturers. Right at their
doors they find that their products
must compete with better made articles
from the United States, sold at cheaper
prices than they can afford to accept.
All the sympathes of which Mr..
Chamberlain is capable are with the
manufacturing interests of his coun-
try. He himself has become a mil
iionaire many times over in the manu-
fatcure of nuts and screws. and he
comprehends fully that unless some
thing is done tine moving British manu-
facturer will have soon to step aside
his keen and practical mind. the readi-
est solution of the problem is n tal.f
against the food products and manu-