Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1904-03-24
A FETCH OF FREE TRADE.
Absurd Chorus That Is Being Set / p
by Democrats About Protec-
tion and War.

dHeClS Tree tIdueTS whenever lney touch
upon their HOBBY is observable in the
discussion of the various questions
growing out of the Russo-Japanese
war. Some of them go SO far, says the
Troy On. Y.) Times, as to trace a con-
nection between protection and that un-
fortunate and lamentable conflict. The
Kansas City Journal, for instance, dis
covers that the war had its inception in
the efforts of Russia to shut out Man
churia, which it controls, from the trade
of other nations, and it reasons itself to
the conclusion that there would be no
disputes to go to war about were the
principle of free trade universally rec
ognized.
Other worshipers OF the free-trade
fetch of course find this doctrine much
TO their taste, and we may now expect
the changes TO be rung on the danger of
protection as a menace to the peace of
the world. Some newspapers that GER
tainly should and which perhaps in re-
ality do know better are joining in the
absurd chorus. Here is what the Phil
adelphia Record, which sees everything
through free trade spectacles, has to say:
What is most remarkable in connec-
tion with this subject is the fact that the
government of this country, or rather
the party exercising its control, jealousy
maintains a narrow and hostile protec-
tive system while making ostentatious pa
rade of all means (save the effective
one of free trade to extend the country
foreign commerce The administration
insists that there shall be an open door"
in China to the trade of all nations, and
throws every diplomatic obstacle inciud-
ing threats in the way of Russia's policy
| of exclusion in Manchuria.
while pledged to the strictest neutral
ity by the principles and traditions of
the government the doctrine is open
~ preached in all circles of the party
of protection from the administration
outward, that should Russia prove vic
torious in this war with Japan we
would not consent to the application
of a protective system to ManChuria
and Korea by The government at St.
Petersburg. Although the administration
is not likely TO go to war in behalf Of the
"open door'-for the American people would
not permit it's there not something sa-
liently ludiCrous in this attitude while We
maintain a high tariff wall against the rest
of the world? Is there not in this half
faced homage on the part Of the champions
of protection to the genius of free trade?
The truth is that free trade Eng
land is the only great nation that can with
consistency insist upon the open door to
commerce; and the English apparently
have no notion of going to war with Rus
sia on this issue"
1t is difficult to regard such arguments
as these with patience. To even init
mate that protection is the cause of
wars such as that now raging in the far
! east and that if free trade were upiyer-
sal there would be no strife among ma
tions is to show a mental perversity
that is more pitiable than reprehensiblc.
AS to the hOstilities between Russia and
Japan, the statement by Mr.. Takahira,
the japanese minister at Washington, in
a magazine article by him which has
just appeared makes the situation very
clear, at least as far as Mr.. Takahira 5
government is concerned Japan is
fighting to resist Entertainments which
involve the grayest danger to that coun-
try, for the absorption Of Manchuria by
Russia means inevitably the absorp-
tion Of Korea. and that in turn would in
evitably threaten the integrity and safe
ty of japan. There is not a word in all
this about trade or tariffs or open ports.
However Japan has to a large extent
forestalled criticism by promising that
Korea shall remain independent and
that its trade shall be open 10 the
world.
But this does not mean free trade or
anything like it. When the United
States favors the open door" policy it
in no way stultifes itself, as these
critics would make it appear it does.
1t simply stands for the policy of all
nations being treated alike, just as it
treats all alike who deal with this
country, except in an especial case such
as that of Cuba, which is allowed tariff
privileges in recognition of its youth
and weakness. But the open door
does not imply that the nations of the
world shall abolish duties and adopt
free trade AS a matter Of fact, every
government of any standing evies du-
ties on imports-and even so-called free
trade England gets a considerable share
of its revenue from that source. The
United States could not be guilty of the
impropriety of asking the nations to
abandon their tariffs. 1t would be quick
ly and properly rebuked if it did. But
there is no Improperly in asking that
Americans be allowed to trade in Man
churia or anywhere else on the same
terms as those accorded to others.
And as to free trade being such a
panacea for war, once more let free
trade England" be cited as an exam
pie. Has her REIMBURSEMENT of pro-
lection prevented her from serious en-
broilment with other powers or led to
her disarmament in the assured faith
that fighting shall be no more?
E2'Mr. Bryan has cotton to a point
where he believes that a declaration of
beliefs in free silver suffices, without fur
ther eXplanations.-Wa Star.
Opportunity" writes Mr.. Cleve-
land, may be only distantly related to
actual accomplishment" The demo-
Gratis who voted the republican ticket in
1896 and 1900 brought the two together
in great shape.-St. Louis Globe Demo-