Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-09-16
ADVOCATES CHANGE.
Premier BaIfour on Proposed
Tariff for England:
Is a Free Trader", but Only so Far
as 1t Benefits His Country.
Free Traders Mistake Have Left Eng
land Many Burdens.

| London, Sept. 15.-Premier Balfour
tonight, issued the advance sheets of {
pamphlet on the subject of "Insulal
Free Trade" in which he presents al
length arguments in favor of a change
in Great Britain's fiscal policy. In in
Producing the pamphlet Mr. Balfoul
says his purpose in issuing it is that il
| would be Impossible to put all the i'm
portant points of this question within
! limits of single speech and the reg
Ieree, the pamphlet may be a fitting pre-
| liminary to the speech which he will
shortly make. This undoubtedly refers
to the speech Mr.. Balfour will make at
Sheffield, Oct. 1.
Mr. Balfour says: Il am free trad
En- but not of the pattern which holds
that the doctrine of free trade is so
universal in it's application and so cap
able of an exact expression that every
conclusion to which it logically leads
must be accepted without hesitation
and without reserve
The premier points out that as a re
suit of F1ngland's policy of retaining a
fiscal policy made for free trade
country in world of free traders not
for a free trade country in a world of
protectionists, the rate of her export
trade has not increased and in fact has
seriously diminished. meanwhile, Ger
many, America, France, Russia and
even Great Britains governing col
onies continue to build up a protected
interest within their borders.
Mr.. Balfour says the mistakes made
by the free traders half a century ago
have left Great Britain bearing all the
burdens and enjoying only half the adj
vantages which should attach to the
empire. The effect Of protection upon
combinations the premier points out,
is to the disadvantage of the British
manufacturer, who is unable to compete
with the manufacturer who is able to
sell abroad at lower price than he
charges for the same article at home.
Mr.. Balfour declares that the only
possible hope of mitigation of the evil
is through negotiation. which, he saws.
can only appeal to self-interest in for
eign protected countries and in the case
of the colonies to interest coupled
with sentiment.
Mr.. Balfour's pamphlet is a reprint
of notes which he circulated among his
colleagues in the cabinet early part of
August. The publication of the pam
phlet Immediately after the momen-
tuous cabinet council held. yesterday
ano today, indicates that it embodies
4 statement of policy accepted Or ac-
guessed in by the majority of the
cabinet. If this assumption is correct
it means the Abandonment of idea of
preferential tariff with the colonies
and the taxation Of food. in favor of
system of retaliatory duties.
Mr.. Balfour in his speech, October /.
is expected to elaborate and explain
his case, when the cabinet will closely
watch its reception by the conserva-
tive delegates. What will be Colonial
Secretary Chamberlain's attitude is the
burning question of the moment.
The most striking feature of Mr..
Balfour's pamphlet is that from the
beginning to the end it does not refer
to Mr.. Chamberlain's proposals. On
the contrary. the whole line of Mir.
Balfour's reasoning is opposed to tar
ifs for purely protectionist purposes.
Hence. Mr.. Chamberlain is faced with
the alternative of either abandoning
the preferential tariffs or prosecuting
his campaign until supported by Mr..
Balfcur.
On the zollvereign question, Mr.. Bal
four says: "The most momentous, per-
haps the most permanent victory for
free trade was won when rather on
national than on economic grounds, in
terstate tariffs were forbidden in the
United States"
Neither does Mr.. Balfour admit that
Great Britain's trade is on the verge of
ruin. He says, Judged by all available
tests, both the total wealth and the
diffused wellbeing of the country are
greater than they have ever BEEN
Mr.. Balfour says further, "the only al
tentative is to do to foreign nations
nations what they always do to each
other and instead Of appealing to eco
monte theories, in which they wholly
disbelicve, To use fiscal inducements
which they wholly understand"
The newspapers praise Mr.. Balfours
for the ability and lucidity
with which the arguments are pre-
serted and a warm welcome is extended
to it by organs which though in favor
CONTINUED on page 2.)