New-York tribune., 1903-05-30
TARIFF TALK REVIVES.
DIR. CHAMBERLAIN'S Plan
HOIc american PrOtectiOHists and
Free Traders Tie1C 1t.


Washington. Mag 29.-Mr. Chamberlains plan
for tariff TAX on foodstuffs imported tnto
Great Britain; reciprocity with the British
Empire and retaliation against any country rails
ing tariff wall against British colonies. tnJects
new life into the tariff question in the United
States. in the opinion Of official and political
Washington. Friends Of the protective tariff
system see in British uneasiness an indorsement
Of protection. 1t has worked so well here. they
say and the United States has forged 70 the
front as a world power with such rapidity that
the British politician and statesman has been
looking about for the reason
On the other hand. the free trade advocates
in this country see disaster ahead for the British
workingman should the Chamberlain idea pre-
vail Added to the heavy British taxes which
are the remnants of the South African war. they
say the tariff tax on foodstuffs viii be the last
straw.
There Is no question that protection II
good for the United States" remarked Repre-
sentative Hemenway. of Indiana, the prospec-
tive chairman OF the House Appropriations
Committee. tonight. "and il is difficult TO see
from this distance why the same system would
not be good for Great Britain There certainly
ought not TO be the slightest objection on our
part to allowing her TO try our recipe for pros
perity and national advancement for with Our
own home market shall not suffer anything
like commercial disaster with Ine BritlSn door
closed against American products II has been
our home market that has built up the maEnih-
cent commercial structure OF the United States.
and It is the home market that viii sustain this
structure Although we have been able 10 take
care Of the foreign trade that has naturally
come TO Us we have never been compelled to
seek 1t for sslf-preservation-"
Postmaster General Payne sees in the move
OF Mr. Chamberlain more politics than policy
He has no fault 70 find with the idea OF pro-
tectfve tariff for Great Britain. but is doubtful
II It is to be brought about through the present.
agitation Attention is called 10 the great oD-
position OF the British populace TO anything
that will tend to raise the price OF foodstufrs
The general public dissatisfaction and riots
which swept over the island on the repeal OF the
Corn laws are cited as showing the almost utter
impossibiIity Of enacting so radical a change in
the taxing system OF country long educated
to the lowest possible prices for the necessities
OF life
Not the least interested in the proposed change
in the British policy are the foreign representa-
ttves in Washington, and while IT would OBJ
viousIy be indiscreet for a member Of the diplo-
matte CORDS to offer criticism suggestion, t -
not difficult to get expressions privately, 70 ta9
effect that nothing but the greatest hardship to
the great middle and poorer classes Could CONS
OF the change.
The side Of Mr.. Chamberiain's argument which
seems most 10 impress American statesmen 10
IT'S recognition OF the commercial excellence or
the United States by the unveiled desire 70 fol-
low in the footsteps OF this country