The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-10-14
LORD ROSERERY
On FREE TRADE.
In Brilliant Speech He Denounced Cham
berIan's Tariff Policy and Warned Eng
land Against Protection.

London. Oct H-I,ord Rosehery spoke
last night AZ Sheffield whittier be went
IN order 10 definitely record his opposi-
tion 10 Mr. chamhcrlsin's fiscal policy re
was greeted with the utmost enthusiasm
ny an immense audience and delivered a
characteristic speech OF brilliant rhetoric
al denuncistion Of protection. interspersed
with clever and caustic illusions 10 Mr..
Chamberlain and the pTcdicsment In
which he had placed the government.
He doubted. he said. n there had ever
been any fiscal inquiry. The ministry
had probably Investigated not the ma
tions commerce. but the constituencies.
He deprecated 2 policy of retaliation,
which would land the empire In a con
test with every nation in the civilized
world. contest 10 which Armageddon
would he a friendly joust lie held that
free trade had not failed but had been
a great success. The new policy. in
stead OF solidifying, would tend 10 dis
locate ana probably dissolve the empire.
His lordship warned his hearers that
they could not try new policy and drop
Il II II failed. Protection once established
could not be uprooted. and would bring
in Its train trusts. monopolies and prob
ably corruption IL the country wanted to
better itself. he continued. let n cultivate
scientific spirit and better education. and.
above all keep the universe for reser-
voir OF food and raw material
He ridiculed the idea that the colonies
would consent not 20 establish new indus
tries for the benefit OF the United King
dom. fair and practical imperial tariff
could not be devised and heaven protect
them from the bad blood and Jealousy
that such an attempt would engendey
COULD NOT RISK 1T.
He was very doubtful about the propo-
eition that a fiscal should precede a
political union. In any event. what Mr..
Chamberiain's friends ignored was that
everything IN the empire had been strong
and successful because II was free and
spontaneous.
Laurier TO the effect that not restricted
trade, but only the most absolute free
dom. political and commercial. would
succeed in building up the empire.
In conclusion Lord Rosehery said that
ne could not forget the long agony with
which the nation had passed from the
protective system. which had brought II
10 the verge of famine and ruin into the
better and freer condition now prevailing.
They could not risk this splendid result
on hazard ~ the political die. They
could not leave the brilliant known under
sny guidance or prophetship for the dark
unknown.
A storm OF cheers greeted his closing
remarks.
Lord Rorebery made no attempt 10
rerute Mr.. Chamberlain's contentious by
argument. statistics or a detailed exami-
nation OF his proposals He confined
himself TO generalizations He evoked
pplsuse by describing Mr.. Chamberlain
ss the real head OF the present govern
mcnt In reference to Mr.. Balfours att
tempts TO gag parliamentary discussion OF !
the fiscal problem he said:
You cannot prevent a storm by sit
ting on the barometer"
He was loudly cheered when he de-
clared that the prospects Of worse re-.
lations with the United States. Germany, !
Russia and France was not a1luring 10
him.
CAUSED DISAPPOINTMENT.
The Earl OF Rosebery's strong free
trade speech is a great disappointment TO
the supporters OF Mr.. Chamberlain. who
had apparently hoped basing this hope
on the ambiguous speech Rosehery made
sf Burnley some time ago. that he might
be found on the side of the fair traders |
This disappointment is increased by a
hint given by Lord Rosebery in his
speech that he is willing 10 actively lead
,r assist in the fight against protection. |
.hough this reference was exceedingly
rague.
The Duke OF Devonshire has also de-
,lsred his intention TO actively cooper
lte with the t'nionist Free Food league.
md the campaign. therefore. promises TO
,ecome increasingly energetic.
Mr.. Asnuith. the Liberal leader speak
ng at Newport. Fifeshire. last night
gain attacked Ir. Charmehlain's propo-
ais. which. he declared. would bring |
treat Britain into conflict with the world /
Z large
Lord Brsssey. speaking az Rye I'm de- 4
ence of the Chamberlain policy. said that I
% had just returned from Canada and he 4
rlieved that only the adoption OF pref
rental tsrin would save the empire from
reakdown. because the influx OF Ameri-
an settlers tended 10 the Americaniza-
Ion OF the Northwest territories. aud an
'merican ofYer OF reciprocity might event
ally be accepted In which case a pcliti-