Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-06-26
MR.. PROCTER'S VIEW
SENTIMENT FOR MR.. CHAMBER
LAIN'S MOVEMENT GROWING.
Believes That English Conservatives
Are Being Won-Feeling in tho
Colonies-Infuenced Migration.

Colonies-Infuenced Migration.
II am convinced from my reading OF
English newspapers and from Information
that has come to me that Chamberlain will
win his fight for customs union for all
the British possessions" said Civil Service
Commissioner John r. Proctor today.
Mr.. Proctor has been watching the pro-
gress in England Of the movement begun
by Mr.. Chamberlain for a customs union.
and three years ago discussed in public the
danger that might come to the commercial
interests of this country from such a
course. He then pointed out the posi-
bility and probability Of the division Of
China into spheres of influence by the Eu-
ropean governments, unless this country
should efrectually oppose such a course,
with the end of parceling out the trade
of the 100000 600 Cinnamon to the disad-
vantage of the United States.
Proposed Customs Union.
He believes that public sentiment in Eng
land toward Mr.. Chamberlain's policy IA
voring a customs union. because of better
understanding of what that union will
mean for England and all her colonies, is
constantly growing. This he regards as
largely the result Of the protective features
which are being brought out by the discus
sion of the policy. At the present time the
several colonies Of England have their own
systems Of protection. Canada has a pro-
tective tariff against England and other
colonies. as 1t has against other nations.
The colonies of Australia have formed a
confederation, so that at this time no tar
If restrictions exist in the trade between
those colonies At this time there is con-
siderable talk of confederation between
Canada, South Africa and Australia.
Should that suggestion, which is being ad-
tend free trade between the colonies con-
cerned.
In Interests of Free Trade.
The argument that is being used in Eng
land with great effect is that a customs
union would advance free trade more than
anything else that could be done 1t is
being pointed out that tariff barriers con-
front England not only at the boundaries
of the United States, Germany, Russia and
France, but in Canada, New Zealand, Tas-
mania, South Africa and Australia. The
customs union would not, it is being ar
gued by the advocates of the Chamberlain
policy add to such barriers in any part of
the world, while 1t would make absolute
free trade between England and the col
onies.
English Sphere in China.
1t is further being pointed out that should
England ever acquire a sphere of influence
in China in the region of the Yangtse river,
and that region could be brought under the
plan for customs union, it would give
free trade to a population of 600, 600, ,000
Without the portion of China the free trade
idea would be extended by the customs
union over nearly 10000 600 persons. En-
glish official policy does not now point to
9cOniSifiOn a Influence in
China, but that idea has long been prom
inent in the minds of many English people
as possibility in the future in connection
with the development of the celestial en-
pire according to the policy of despoiling
that nation by dividing its territory into
spheres of influence for the benefit of the
trade of the several European monarchies
of Europe.
Change in English Sentiment.
II think no one can read the newspapers
and other periodicals of England" remark
ed Mr.. Proctor, without seeing that there
is an undoubted change coming over the
conservative classes that at first disap-
proved the policy advocated by Mr.. Cham
berlain. 1t is being pointed out to the En-
glish people that discriminating duty on
grain, for instance, would develop the great
wheat lands of Canada, which are capable,
If once fully developed, of supporting
population of 800, 100000. The colonies of
England really IaVOr tnlS pOncy OF Mr..
Chamberlain, because they have agricul-
tural interests SO far in advance of any
manufacturing interests that might for
time be somewhat affected by such
course.
1.-THE federation of the colonies of Austria
liza and the movement to extend the fedora
ton to South Africa and Canada show the
direction of public opinion in this respect
SO far as the colonies are concerned. better
than anything else. The colonies are ready
for Mr.. Chamberlain'S customs union and
the only interests to be brought in an ap-
proval of them are those of the conserva-
tive Englishmen at home. That is being
done very rapidly. / fully expect to see
may not be carried the first time the fight
for it comes up. 1t may take more than
one fight, but Chamberlain is sure to win,
in view of the arguments he is placing be-
fore the English people and in view of the
change of sentiment that is taking place
and being reflected in no uncertain way in
the newspapers of England.
Possible Effect on This Country.
"If this customs union is brought about
the important question that will come up
with it for us will be its effect on our trade
and future development. The question will
then be whether we can maintain the Ding
ley tariff under such circumstances. and
whether we will not have to meet England
half way with some proposition that will
allow better trading conditions than such a
customs union would permit.
"Such a customs union would to a very
important degree be apt to turn the tide OF
immigration from European countries to-
ward British colonies rather than toward
this country. If. for instance. discrim-
mating duty were placed upon the grain of
this country and in favor Of grain coming
into England from Canada, the result would
be to strongly attract emigrants to Can
ada"