The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-11-02

The Cobdsnite will doubtless scorn the
imputation that the policy he advocates
has any other purpose in view than the
freedom of trade. but the evidence is In
disputable that the practice In Great Brit
ain Is to make IL ht the fiscal plans OF
those who guide the destiny OF the ma
tion
| have shown that the British collect
the vast sum of over sl50,oooem annually
in the form Of duties on commoduies I'M
ported from foreign countries into the
United Kingdom. II Is a msnomer 10
call a system producing such results
free trade.
The fact that some articles are ad-
mitted without paying duty does not con-
stitute freedom OF trade. IL II did. The
United States would have 10 be regar ed
az free trade country. because II i'm
ports annually between four and five hun
dred million dollars worth of foreign
merchandise. upon which no duties are
paid.
AS showed In my first talk Interior
motives prompted the adoption OF the
British fiscal system. Whether We con
slider the purpose of Cobden. which was
TO secure cheap food for manufacturing
operatives In the United Kingdom so that
wages or that of the statesmen who acted
on the hint Of Adam Smith and adjusted
taxes so that the superior and middling
classes" were relieved OF the greatest
part OF the burden OF supporting the
government we cannot fail to note an alb
sence of candor In dealing with the aues-
ton which amounts TO positive dupicity
In future talks several phases of the
disingenuousness OF the adherents OF
tpit N l
will endeavor 10 confne myself as closely
as possible 20 demonstrating that the
campaign for cheap loaf during the
agitation over the repeal OF the Corn
laws was not honest and that the accept
ance OF the advice OF Golden and Bright
has proved disastrous 10 the British peo-
pie.
II ls an admitted fact that during the
repeal agitation orators in the cities told
the British workingmen that the abolition
OF the corn duties would give them cheap
bread In the country they told A differ
ent story They tried 20 reassure the
farmer by pointing out that he had
natural protection in the distance or for
eign competitors which would assure him
against being undersold and they even
added that the increased business which
would result from the change In fiscal
policy would rebound TO the advantage
OF British agriculture
IN my reader has any doubt regarding
the accuracy of this statement, he may
consult Trumbulrs Free Trade Struggle
In England" I'm which the Inconsistent
attitude ot the Cobdcnites Is described
with charming nalvete. or he may turn
TO Thorold Rogers article on Free
Trade" in the Encyclopedia Britannica,
where the writer. as late as 1876 declared
British agriculture was safe from the as
sault of foreigners. The pages of NAILS
"Principles OF Political Economy also
contain testimony which establishes the
truth OF the assertion that IL was the
common belief IN the United Kingdom
that its agricultural interests would bene-
81, rather than suffer from freedom or
trade
II was long after the battle had been
won. and not until the British agricul-
turaist has begun 20 feel the evil effects
OF the practice ot foreign countries
dumping their surpluses % foodstuffs
on the markets % the United Kingdom
that the cold hloodei doctrine was
preached that n man was ruined and
driven out % one industry he could turn
his attention 30 some other mode of gain
Ing a livelihood
Puf the British are beginning 90 real
tze the heartlessness underlying the easy
assumption that mon driven out OF one
pursuit may easily adapt themselves To
something else. and they are now rapidly
coming 10 understand the hldcous hum
bug contained in the promise of the
cheap loaf.
What mockery IL is TO speak 81 tho
cheap loaf In tho same breath that the
admission is made that millions arc starv.
ing for bread I'm the United Kingdom.
How can ttat be regarded az cheap
which Is unattalnable by 30 per cent or
tho population Of Great Britain?
Thls IL not Protectlonist accusation.
II IL evidence furnished by Sir Henry
Campbell Bannerman IN q speech made
nv him at Perth on the 5th " June. 1919,
I'm which he denounced Colonial Sccre-
tary Chau,berlain's preferential plan NJ
treating the colonies. Sir Henry said;
In this country VIC know. thanks 20
the Investigations of Mr.. Seebohm
nrowntree and Mr.. Charles Booth. that
there is about N per cent of our pop
uiation nrderfed and on the verge ~
hunger Thirty per cent Of forty-one
millions comes TO something over twelve
millions.
Pear Inv mind that thls II not = Pro-
tectioni-' attempt % emphasize the fail
ure of the cheap loaf roiicv. bat that
n 10 the deliberate admission ~ lead.
ing British Free-rrader. and that II was