New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-05-21
Mr.. SHAW ON TARIFF WARS
SUGGESTS RETALIATION.
Speech at Dinner of CIeUeIand Cham
Der of Commerce.

Cleveland. May 2O.-Secretary Shaw was the
guest of honor at a dinner given tonight by
Ihe Cleveland Chamber of Commerce. His speech
was devoted to consideration of the tariff situa-
ton. 1t was as follows:
r IL may not be out of place at this time to com
Yo,i1 me international commercial policies or the
tereo Kingdom opens her markets to all on equal
thssfr whatsoever France and Germany reserve 70
isir own people. by OF protective tariHs, ad-
the people Of some Countries advantages IN their
over others Both these countries discTim-
nes ana they discriminate also between the peo-
H Hnown as most favored nation" clauses in their
treaties, and thus make recproca! trade
cei1on with certain countries, granting ana re-
and me United States follows the example of France
a6tst!ahy IN that she grants TO her own psoRio
exsmna On very many articles ana Ioh3 S{i ro
ton as between foreign countries. Barring a
e or So unimportant articles the United states
f'gP3u6lio of Cuba alone excepted on equal terms
the United s 5Gr6s and GeTany By which
o latter al consideration of certain slight con-
tr cannot believe that the newspaper reports are
srro mat Germany contempates terminating thIs
"a SSnigement unless the United States viii agree
70 discriminate against other countries and In her
e. cannot believe that any country seriously con-
Ggs putting in operation revision of tarlfts I'M
people of the United States Such action would
b be most unfortunate from every point OF view to
Ra done nons and viii DO n0h9s E
Der Of foreign countries should unite with those
nov DISCRIMINATING against US, then there Will re-
possible policies e0 Without the Expressing Gesfa aa Opinion
cE fIEer relative merits will state them as
teIE%1 1nf ion tests alone with Congress:
c cIg IN her own markets and making no dis
Secton1d-We could yield to the demand of those
forfff
ana give to their people material advantages over
be borne In mind. however that this proposition in
voIyes determinations against other countries for,
to some as against others without imposing
+esspondinE burdens on others as against some But
favor material reductions in present tariffs on
the enforcement of present rates as against others
think they call this reciprocity.
schedules leaving it to the magnanimity Of Others
10 10 emulate our generosity There are those and
without expressing an opinion as to the merits of
free policy of Grea g B does s not Exempt
her from determinations by countries which adopt
that the United States shall join in discrmina-
Fourth-The only remaining course possible to be
pursued is for the United States to make discrim-
against u.s. AS 6efweon those WRo edyocate nc
diserimina Of any kind regaTdless Of Provoca-
favor of those who discriminate against u.s. this
es P6sS rs osa rouRG 81 b AZ
this policy. I have heard it intimated that an
amendment to present tariff laws is likely to be
proposed al the next session (but with what pros
poet Of passage cannot say, substantially
follows:
BE 1t enacted. that whenever any country grants
to the people OF other country privileges with
in its markets which wtthhoden from the
people OF the United States, then and in all such
instances the tariff duties all merchandise COM
ing from those countries showing such preferences
shall be per cent higher than provided in the
schedules of existing tariff laws"
This would constitute q maximum and minimum
tariff, the maximum to be enforced only against
such countries exact a maximum rate against us.
I understand that those who advocate this course
meet the charge that II means tariff war with
the suggestion that the United States will not first
declare such a Being forced to follow the eX-
ample of other countries is not the equivalent OF
q declaration of war, while yielding to the de-
mand that the United States shah discriminate
against those who do not discriminate against her
might involve neutral powers in universal tarn
war. Such would necessarily harm us, but
It would harm seriously still those who drove
into it. The United States prefers to treat all
alike, and fully appreciates like treatment by
others
Judge r w. Tayler, of the United States
District Court, spoke 'The Trend of National
Legislation" and Congressman Theodore e
Burton on 1.-The Government of Municipalities"
Before the formal toasts were begun the health
of the President of the United States was drunk
standing.