New-York tribune., 1903-06-02
BRITISH IMPERIALISM.
Eminent Political Economist on Mr.
Chamberlmin's Scheme.
. tie Editor OF The Tribune.

70 the Editor O. The Tribune
SIR: Your editorial Of Saturday last on Mr.
chanlberlain's new prupa ganda shows a gener-
ous appreciation Of the position The British
Empire not much later viii either dissolve or
xii come together on federal lines. The latter
We believe to be its manifest destiny, and any
fsderaI arrangement must make necessary
--eferential tariffs and colonial representation
81 Westminster. Is there any federation known
70 history which Gid not include in some shane
~ form customs union? Two years only have
nsssed since the Australian colonies agreed 10
federate inter Sc. OF the two principal units Of
that federation, New South Wales was more
7obdenist than Golden, while Victoria was pro-
,ectonist up the hilt; yet, desiring federation
and being prepared TO pay its price Victoria met
New South Wales half way; and the idea is
really fantastic that the Liberal party in the
British Isles can find ITSELF by opposing fed
eratioD Oh q platform OF so-caIled free .rade" {"
That would be not merely little England"
hut perish England" platform! Of all his
great services to the empire. then Mr.. Cham
serlain's invitation to us TO equip that empire
with Z up-to-deJe tariff is the greatest Here.
indeed is an educational issue which promises
70 make imperial politics transcendently inter-
esting for many years to come.
But what about the food OF the working
classes"2 say these fanatic free traders. Really.
sir one would suppose that there were no work
ing classes except IN the British Isles. What
about working class Germans? Yet Germany
has been eliminating her commercial triuTnphs
Of the past twenty years by steadily increasing
her tariffs There is the case OF nation which
has grown rich by taxing herself" Are We
English 10 be afraid Of our greatness, afraid TO
assemble our empire lest Manitoba may gain
ever SO little a. TIE expense Of Manchester,
r@F SIC
county town, Ipswich? I am not surprised
-hs- 70 The Tribune the interests Of the whole
empire should seem predominant and that you
should recognize in this splendid issue un-
expectedly presented US the logical sequence
~ the Canadian and the Australian federattons.
ard OF that Other impending federation in South
Africa. the outcome Of the recent unpleasant
ness.
Your agreeable countryTnan James MCNEIL
Whistler once said that The only insult that
hss rot been offered ne is popularity; Nj
Chamberlain outside Of the British Empire, Is
MOI exactly popular: but. in classic phrase, we'll
love him fer the enemies he has made For
YEARS 10 come the Scribes and Pharisees Of your
press are going 10 assure your readers that he
has split the Conservative party and that he
-s hopelessly discredited; but there viii be very
Ittrie OF the so-caued Liberal party left If that
party is iIiberal enough 70 fight not merely q
tariff for revenue but tariff fer empire.
Almost year ago . Canadian, Colonel Den
-3sou. suggested il The Times" a preferential
tariff O. 10 per cent n favor Of the colonies. Sir
Robert cifTen summed up the objections in the
following words,
our imports from the colonies are tifocee-
600. who would thus gain E11eo0,0oo annually
by the higher prices for their goods IN
the United Kingdom # we imposed the
proposed diferential foreign goods.
Now. assuming q rather bold assumption that
r1rices N the British Isles did rise TO the fu e&
tent OF the di6erental, so tnat our colonies were
-he gamers by this entire sum, still Great Britain
"a me creditor Of these colonies by not less than
u mo 600 600 Of loans and II : clear that their
e-fc,,-7er1 bv I'll 600 600 annually would add
,,,-oa-selv 70 the creditors security. In fact II
c7,- federation includes an assumption act snch
&C ~ me case OF YOU thirteen States Il was
Alexander EamiIton's pre-eratnent service 70 ar
range. our colonies could pay the annual in
,erest OF. 0.Oo0 of national debt and yet
re not ons penny the poorer.
- then this new tariff policy does, as Sir
Robert Giren anticipates. favor the colonies al
+bs e-ne-se Of rl7e swarning millions in the
Ts-f+fsh Isles. 7 can wish portion Of those mill
,,rs m better fate n these days than TO be at
-rzcted 70 cur colonies, where under our flag
e76 within the bonds of z common constitution
+tAv may share these benefits just so long as
.rev remain partners in that constitution
-rr7,lv sir the new national policy which Ar.
Chamberlain has thought out under the South
srr Cross promises 10 be. perhaps, the most
e-Iendid and enduring legacy Of the late War.
MOREToN FREwEN-
1zew-York May 90. 1903.