The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1903-09-25
PROTECTION ISSUE
IN TWO COUNTRIES
Both Britain and America Face
Political Battles on the
Tariff.
MAY BRING TARIFF WAR
Chamberlain, 1t Is Said, Has Dropped
the Preferential Schedules Mask
and Will Come Out Openly for
Protection.

Washington, Sept. 23.-Public 1ner
VINO have what may be called the broad
view, and who are now anxiously scan.
ming the worlds horizon, foresee tina
the two great English speaking nations
are next year to engage in great ma
tional campaigns which urn upor
economic questions. In the United
states the issue will be, not abandon
ment or even modification Of the prin-
ciple of protection. but whether or not
the existing tariff shall be nationally
revised n be made more suitable to
present day conditions. In England a
notable battle is to be waged over the
IDEAS which will enable the mother
country to V the colonies in re-
turn for reciprocal favors in the colon
1al markets, n its c%oroliary, retalia-
ton upin countries which do not treat
English m fairly.
That there is to be a relationship be-
tween the two campaigns-that one Is
to have more or less effect upon the
other-is believed by many observers.
For the first time in fifty years, or since
free trade was adopted, is the United
Kingdom to have a war between the
parties for control IF the government
waged upon the tariff. The coming
war, therefore, is likely to afford the
world the interesting spectacle of the
two great English speaking nations
f1ghtlng upon questions-the
n for a protection tina is not unreas-
enable, the other for a free trade tina
g not absolute and exclusive.
May Mean a Tariff War.
In fact, a tariff war between Great
Britain n the United States is one Of
the possibilities of the neal future.
some of shrewdest observers of British
politics think h a while Chamberlain
is to be defeated when he first appeals
to the country, in the end he will tri-
umph. If this shall prove to be cor
rect, the day may be near at hand
when the United States and England
Will be levying letaliatory tariffs
against each others goods.
There is much more protection in the
Chamberlain idea than was at first sup
posed. Men who have recently been in
and who have made a care.
full study of the situation there, con-
with members of the cabinet
and all the political leaders, say the
truth of the business is that Mr.. Cham
berlain went off half cooked.
AS he first proposed his scheme. he |
would have had a small preferential
tariff for the benefit of the colonies.
Ih1s meant a tariff on breadstuffs, the |
dear Loaf To make the pill palatable
he proposed old age pensions for the
"ofklngmen. But the w~orkingmen re-
pudiated the whole thing. They are
the dear Loaf and they do
not want to be bought up with old age
Besides. it was discovered
a small tariff on which to base a pref
arent1al would not do the colonies much
good.
Chamberlain More Frank.
Compelled to shift his ground, Mr..
chamberlain is now turning his atten-
ion to an out and out protection policy. I
he has not the details of
lis project, but there is little doubt
hat when he brings it out, as he is ex-
to do in a week OF so, it will be
ound to have as it's chief feature, not
preferential tariff for the colonies alone
tut a tariff to protect British manu-
acturers II producers from foreign
competition.
The competition most feared is that !,
# the United States and GERMANY.
,hamberlain's followers in the United ,
have got so far that they
'penly announce themselves as protec-
lonlsts. They say the United Kingdom
$ a dumping ground" for American
nd German manufacturers. and hey
a n to levy a small tariff that will .
,eep those goods out and give the home ;
manufacturer a chance. OF course, :
his scheme would not involve such :
arlffs as we have in the United States. =
With from 40 to 100 per cent. ad valorem r
Luties, but it would be a protective tar ,
# in principle. !