New-York tribune., 1903-07-19
CHAMBERLAIN CAMPAIGN.
Tbe Trend Toacard Tariff on
Manufactured Goods.
London. Juiv c

:. ~ ,-yestigation Of the effects Of Mr.
ouOe- ,.,ayn.s autumn campaign In industrial
@i'1---., ,o,ss His colleagues have agreed to re-
q, oe4,oe and to keep their minds and eyes
'l'.- ,,-.l he can have an opportunity for ad-
w - commercial bodies and assemblages OF
.,r,eu. and convincing them that his policy
=, -o,,ote the welfare of the country. The ef-
-. :, HIS speeches viii be decisive so far as his
'ec' % - The political fortunes Of the Cabinet
o"A noerned. If chambers OF commerce and
Bic -eonle are favorably impressed with his
"orAl-e "I-t 90 arguments for a revision Of the
epPe--- ..,o the uncompromising Free Traders
hSo1' -.+,net will retire and Mr.. Balfour viii
10 tN1 -.o,h h,v committed TO higher tariff for
pe - negotiation with foreign countries
P'lP -sfsrential arrangement with the self
fiio % colonies If MIR Chamberlains
go'eiI-- are eoldIy received by popular audi
speeo".- - sharply attacked by Unionist Free
en- en- he may temporarily abandon his pro-
I'D leave his colleagues at liberty to
Dc Cor q general election in their own way.
= NOW an unauthorized programme will
Mno- sanctioned or rejected before ministers
- 80 Parliament for a new session
- r,hamberiain has been warned by many
-. s,nporters that he has presented his case
sr and begun at the wrong end Inc menace
Oao' - ~ imported food has frightened the
S1df
'-t-.a5 that their wages will be increased
-, the scale Of living expenses is raised, or
-. ,bsre can be any compensation in old age
= Gov she smaller or dearer loaf. Mr..
ppDs.r,ain has been urged by many Of his
.-ear,ial friends to minimize the taxation
- - food 10 stop talking about old age
" -. a,d 10 propose a tariff on manufact-
- ooo5s which are subjected to destructive
--,stirion from the United States, Germany
- france. Probably these advisers viii sue
- :, convincing him that he has chosen the
H. ~ greatest resistance, and that ne VIII
.,r,,,snd instead Of alternating support II ne
--ns+,+rtss a tariff on manufactures for taxa
a., NJ food as the main feature OF MS hscaI
.o,,cy Indeed evidence is not lacking to lndl-
80 thar this has been his ulterior purpose from
-. outsst While he has laid stress upon the
.~st,on Of food and the accumulation OF nscal
-esources for a comprehensive system OF old age
o,s,ons he has also emphasized the necessity
+,r taking measures against Germany II co-on-es
,ra nenaIized in trade for giving the motner couh-
+rv the advantages Of preferential treatment
.n5 tariff on manufactured goods is the only
,o.sgble instrument Of retaliation. What dlsap-
,,osr.ss ImperiaIlsts and Protectionsts are clam
r-,,e for as revision Of Mr.. Chamberlain's pro-
nosals may prove 10 be the complete disclosure
Of his original aims.
Mr. chamberlain has beer accused by Free
TRADERS Of being q Protectionist in proposing
7be reirnposition OF the corn tax; ano IN the olu
English sense they have been justified IN uslnS
the word II he restates his case so as 10 III
clude 4 general tariff on manufactured gooos'
with incidental taxation Of food for revenue pur-
noses and for the sake Of the colonies ne Will
,roclaim himself a Protectionist as the Woro
Is understood in the United States and Germany
In proposing practical measures for the deLehce
of the home market against foreign manufact-
rres and for securing leverage for reciprocity
negotiations and retaIatory measures, ne VIII
place himself in line with the cumulative e1-
perience Of England's most progressive Hluus-
trial rivals, and viii have many proofs 10 o4Ler
in support of his argument that workmen VIII
have steadier employment and nlgher wages
than they now have under the depressing con-
dftions Of free importing. and that there wll
be increased resources for helping the colonies,
promoting imperial federation and enforcing
fairer trade with foreign nations. Mr. Chamber
lain has the reputation Of being wide-awake,
practical English statesman He is not likely
20 exhibit himself as an OLD school English
Protectionist working in the interest Of Tory
eauires and the landed interest, and advo-
eating corn laws as a source of national wealth
and increased earnings for working people. II
he becomes q Protectionist, he will be one OF
the improved American or German type. and
will recommend policies likely to appeal to the
enlightened self-iuterest Of the commercial and
industrial classes Of the United Kingdom as
well as TO the patriotism and pride of the en-
pire
What the country has received SO far from its
most Influential statesman is . series Of vague
hints and generaIities designed mainly for the
purpose Of commanding attention and inducing
public discussion. Prefer ,rtiaI treatment for
colonies. imperial defence against foreign at
terpts to punish them for favoring the mother
country the taxation of imported food supplies,
the enlargement Of fiscal resources for provid-
ing for the requirements of social legislation,
such as the improved housing Of the working
classes and old age pensions-these have been
the principal themes suggested by Mr.. Cham
herlain He has not attempted 70 formulate
fiscal system, nor 10 discuss economic ques-
uons IN detail lie has been content with ar
resting public attention and compelling the
SiIzehs OF the empire 10 reflect sOberly. upon
'nen oohgauons and opportunities. Intensely in
earnest himself, he has not smoothed over the
Foueh points IN his policies, but has boldly pre-
'9-i'eo taxation Of food as an Indispensable re-
0uiIement OF imperial federation and invited his
N'uhuylhen TO sacrifice their traditions, their
EieJuolces' and possibly their selfish interests on
'ne altar OF great cause. He has not opened
.'-S 'oilA agitation in a diplomatic spirit. but
Nas presented his case roughly in its most
Leileht aspect-that Of taxation of food supplies
i'I ue sake OF helping along a great move
No. 1or imperial unity. That is the first phase,
101 'Ne last When he meets popular au-
-i'iices n the autumn he viii be prepared TO Of
@ more definite scheme and to balance the
iDCcc
cue system There is no keener controver-
kiAllst in England than Mr.. Chamberlain. as was
s-io"n when he succeeded in defeating Irish
nome Rule in his carnpaigI in the Tnfdlauds.