New-York tribune., 1904-08-12

at the universities. They are content with re-
peating the old formulas about cheapness. and
do not seem to realize that everything is
changed in the modern industrial world
Mr. Chamberlain's speech at Stafford House
has warned free traders who were exuIting
prematurely over the collapse of his cause that
he has no idea of being beaten. II was the first
annual meeting of the Tariff Reform League.
and with this remarkable report Of the commits
sion commanding more attention IN the press
than any ordinary blue book, with the dry
husks OF official statistics" he could congratu-
late his followers upon the rapid progress OF
their movement. He reminded them that Mr..
Golden. after seven years of anti-Corn law agi-
tation. had only 120 members Of Commons on
his side. and without the Irish famine and the
unexpected conversion Of Sir Robert Peel his
movement would have been a failure. In the
course OF twelve months the tariff reformers
hao formed a powerful organization with
branches in every portion Of the kingdom and
a most influential commission represeuting all
the great industries and business interests: and
they had the rupFort Of two hundred members
or the Commons. the sympathy of the Prime
Minister and the Cabinet. the assistance of
nearly ali the Unionist journals and the enthu-
siastic approval Of the vast majority of the
party. These statements could not be denied
The Standard" has been the only influential
Conservative journal against tariff reform and
it represents a minority in the party which must
ultimately take refuge in Liberalism The
tariff reformers to-day the controlling ele-
ment in every Conservative organization. They
have a positive policy which they are support
ing with enthusiasm. and which they consider
urgently necessary for the development If Brit
ish trade and the salvation OF the Empire
When Mr.. Chamberlain addresses his follow
ers there is the inspiration Of leadership and
Of faith in great ideas. His eyes flash, his
voice deepens and vibrates with emotion and he
is in white heat of earnestness Imperial
federation in his judgment is the greatest cause
10 which Anglo -Saxons can consecrate their
energies and hopes, and II can he brought about
by commercial union and the defence of British
markets against destructive foreign competf-
ton Whether he be right or wrong IN his
economic facts. he believes in his principles is
fghting strenuousy for them and Is looking
long way into the future. when the colonies
viii he drawn into as close relations with the
mother country as the States of the American
Union He stands for positive. constructive,
lighting policies. and has abandoned Office and
the well earned leisure OF advancing years in
order to present them TO the nation with courage
and energy. With leadership of this kind tariff
reform is a cause that is commanding support
and making astonishing progress Mr Winston
'"ul SIi'i4 II one OF the most aggressive OF the
Free Traders. and he sums up the case when he
says: 1t is perfectly clear that we have now
Eot 70 face a definite deliberate movement
in favor of protection. supported by prac-
Tical,y the whole force Of one Of the great
est parties in the country. and destined to re-
oeive NJ the proper time the authority Of the
Prime Minister" 1t is = movement moreover.
which cannot be successfully resisted with old
time. rusty arguments Of the Cobdenits era,
based on Cheapness and freedom OF exchange
AS Lord Lansdowne sententiously remarks:
When our colonies stretch out their hands TO
US across the seas and ask US TO draw closer
70 them. We cannot refer them to some earlier
Victorian treatise upon political economy and
tell them that their proposals are out OF order"
JNF