The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-10-31
CANADA IN REVOLT.

In dealing with the tariff problem. Mr..
chamberlain we'll understands that he
must reckon with the colonists as well
as with the people at home. Indeed. he
Is clearly Of opinion that If the reiat'oi's
between England and her colonies are 70
no maintained and strengthened; If Eng
land Is to retain the preferential traoe
of her colonies, she must make 1t TO thel'
advantage to trade with her. There1ore'
Mr.. Chamberlain has proposed system
of tariff preferences betweenrthe consul
tuent States of the empire ny "hlch
their respective products shall be eH'
changed oh basis of lower customs IMAM
are applied to the products of foreign
countries. This is not new proposal
but rather a return to that which IS oio,
and which was abolished more than 1il'S
wears ago. After losing her colonies IN
America, England learned valuable les'
son and adopted more conc'llators
policy towards the colonies that remain
ed: Tariff preferences formed an impor-
tant element in this policy, and the peorle
al homo submitted to heavy tax bui dehs'
IN order that the good Will OF the COLO
nists might be retained, but these Dur
dens became intolerable. and ABOUT 1eoo
thew were completely swept away, ana
the existing policy adopted.
When the change took place there waa
an cutlery from all the colonies, espe'
ticallv from Canada, and at this time an
address was signed By 325 merchants Of
Montreal calling for annexation 10 tne
United States on the ground of the most
disastrous effect which the reversal OF
tho ancient policy Of Great Britain had
had upon Canada" But the system dlu
not work as adversely as the Canadians
expected. and they soon became recon
ciled to the change.
Mr.. Chamberlain thinks. however thae
there is now demand on the part OF tho
colonists for return to the system OF
nroferences and In speech delivered
at Glasgow on Octobr eth he said that
he believed that tho colonies are pre-
pared to meet US In return for very
moderate preference, "They would reserve
TO us the trade we already enjoy" he COLI
tnued "and would also arrange thor
tariffs In the future In order not TO start
industries in competition with those al
ready in existence in the mother country.
and not only would they enable US TO
retain our trade with them. but they
would give us preference on all trade
done with them by our foreign compe'
titors."
He also expressed a belief that 1t was
only by commercial union and reciprocal
preferences that they could lay the soun-
dation of a federation of an empire. TO
which they all looked as brilliant posi-
bility.
But Mr.. Chamberlain must be sreatly
shocked at the spirit which has manifest
ed itself recently In Canada. large num-
Der of voters representing an influential
party has given him to understand that
the Canadians intend to maintain their
tariff policy, and in pursuing this policy
they declare their purpose to give Ger
many and other countries lac same pre-
ferential duties on imports that they have
given the mother country
| But the spirit OF protest, II not indeed
| Of rebellion. has grown since the
| decision in the Alaskan boundary case.
| The Halifax Chronicle, the leading news
| paper supporter of Liberal party. Is out
| in an article expressing what it says is
| tho unanimous dissatisfaction OF the Gu
1 nadians at the auction of the British
| government In the matter, and openly
| declaring that existing relations to the
! empire cannot be continued much longer.
| There IS manIfcstly a disposition on the
! part of many Canadians to cut loose al.
together from England and cast thelr
| fortunes with the United States. This
is delicate matter for the United States
government to handle. but It goes with
out saying that If Canada should propose
to annex, the proposal would be received
in the United States with much favor.