Middletown transcript., 1907-05-11
WASHINGTON LETTER

Il
sembles, there is great deal of interest in
the matter both in the Treasury Depart
ment and at the State Department owing
to the action of France in threatening to
enforce the maximum tariff against this |
country, and the announcement OF Ex-
Premier Balfour coming out unreservedly
in favor OF British protective tariff. |
The situation with France is the more
pressing of the two. France was a party
to the new German tariff treaty, and in
common with Elk other European coun-
tries made special arrangement in virtue |
of which they were to accord each other |
the 'most favored nation" treatment, and |
this meant that other countries, including |
the United States, would be cut out of |
such treatment as soon as their treaties
expired. Now France is our third largest |
customer the two leading ones being |
Great Britain and Germany. SO that while !
the maximum tariff would not mean |
shutting us out OF all trade with France |
and Germany, it would seriously reduce |
the volume of trade and would inf1ict |
commercial trouble that this country |
could i'll afford. The threat of France |
has been to enforce the maximum duties |
in the case OF cotton and cottonseed oil, |
and exclude American meats altogether |
unless they have government certificate
OF microscopic inspection. These three
articles are the articles of largest trade be- |
tween this country and France, and their
reduction under the new tariff arrange.
ment would mean great loss to the
planters OF the south and the cattle raisers
all over the country. We have just es-
capped trade war with Germany by send
ing a commission OF tariff experts to that
country and ixingup an agreement under
| which trade between the two nations will
continue for another year till Congress
has chance to make definite treaty ar
rangement. France is now demanding
the same thing and negotiations are pro.
crossing between Secretary Root and Am
bassador Jusserand that probably will
result in sending a similar commission to
France, The announcement from Great
Britain is not taken SO seriously by offic-
| ials. 1t is known, of course, that there is
no tariff in Great Britain. She is the
only one of the great civilized powers that
has free trade, and she is the best Gus.
toner Of the United States in the markets
Of the world, There has been an effort
for three years past to get Great Britain
to adopt protective tariff. This was the
question OIL which Joseph Chamberlain
resigned from the Colonial Office. Pre-
mier Balfour, who was his close friend
and understudy in tariff matters, avoided
at the time committing himself to pro-
tective tariff policy. Now, however, he
has announced himself declaring in favor
of preferential arrangement with the
colonies" which would mean that they
would have free trade with the mother
country and the rest OF the world would
be shut out by tariff wall. The British
mind moves very slowly matters of ma
ional change. so that it is not likely there
will be any immediate alteration in Brit
aims policy of free trade. But things are
evidently moving that way, and such a
thing would seriously affect the trade of
this country with Canada and Australia.
1t must be said, how ever, that while
there is now q preference in the
Canadian tariff of 33I per cent. in
favor OF Great Britain as against
the United States, our trade with Canada
has grown steadily in the past decade,
and that of Great Britain with Canada
has as steadily fallen off.
| ~
Final arrangements were made this
week for what will be great architec-
tural competition in Washington. 1t is
for the plans for the new home of the
Bureau of American Republics. There
is in Washington an international Bureau
of this sort that is supported in part by
this government and partly in proportion
to population by all the other republics of
this hemisphere. Its object is to foster
trade and other amicable relations be-
tween the American republics. 1t issues
trade bulletins in Spanish, Portuguese and
English and does a most excellent work
in distributing information and fostering
good relations. It fIas for years occupied
rented quarters opposite the State, War
and Navy Departments. Its work has
been unobtrusive, but is growing steadily
more valuable. Some time ago this gov
ernment appropriated S250,000 toward a
permanent home for the Bureau, and on
| the first OF the year Andrew Carnegie, at
the instance of Secretary Root, made
donation of $750,000 for the same pur-
pose. The Bureau has bought tract of
five acres of ground just on the south
edge OF the city and close to the business
section, and the architects of the country
are to compete in drawing plans for its
home. There are 1876 firms engaged in
the competition, and prizes aggregating
$4,000 will be given for the plans beside
a large cash payment to the successful
firm. The building and fittings will cost
5000, 600 SO it can be seen that it will be
decided addition to the architecture of the
city. 1t probably will be of the Spanish
type of architecture, with central court
rooted with glass with flower beds, palms
and ferns. 1t is rare opportunity for ar
tistic treatment, and probably will be
taken advantage Of to the full.
j +.*
A curious case of a modern Jean VAL
] jean was presented to the President this
week. 1t was man named William
January, who nine years ago was SEN
fenced to Jail, and while serving his term,
escaped and assumed the name OF Charles
Anderson. He leads perfectly honest
life and did well in the world, married
and became the father of one child.
Afterward lie was betrayed to the author.