The Washington herald., 1910-11-13
Commerce and Peace.

commercial advantages and trade re-
lations are the most widely discussed
international topics to-day. The danger
TO International commerce which war
would engender is the strongest guar
antee OF peace. The generally accepted
theory OF trade expansion is based upon
the assumption that the material interests
of nations of necessity are hostile. II is
about sixty years since free trade. estab-
lished by England. was welcomed as
promise of interdependence OF nations.
But the feeling was only OF short dura-
ton. 1t has been succeeded by a senti-
raent OF International jealousy in trade
matters, caused by high tariff duties on
one hand and by ornaments which daily,
as It were, grow stronger and more
costly.
1t is a paradox to speak OF interna-
tional cooperation TO promote protection.
since the policy Of a protective tariff
does anything but bring nations together.
Hence. il introduces into commerce the
identical spirit that provokes war. While
protection still is the leading policy of
the United States and of the great
continental powers OF Europe, the mil
ita-y burdens in times OF peace are,
and win remain, so hard to bear-with
the daily fear of still more increased
cost-that the day must inevitably arrive
when the nations which groan under
them will seek relief In one final struggle
for supremacy.
Since every state, according 10 the be-
lief OF the chairman OF the New York
Chamber OF Commerce, Mr.. Hepburn. is
a large business concern, jealously watch
ing the progress of its neighbors, and
contemplating their submission, the opin-
ion gains ground that. although man
kind in Europe and America is supposed
10 form one great community OF inter
ests. these nations are separated from
one another by chasms which, perhaps
may not be bridged under present con-
ditions, and that one OF the greatest bar
rlers lies in the dream of world power.
Why? While all crave organized peace
OF the world, few are able 10 think OF it
otherwise than under supremacy OF
that particular nation to which they
belong.
II ought to give all OF US food for deep
thought and study when a military au-
thority Ike the German Col. Gadke.
commenting upon present-day arma-
ments. has this to say;
WAR begets Chauvinism. arma-
ments beget distrust, and distrust, in
turn, augments ornaments at the
same ratio as these increase dfstrust.
II Is a vicious circle, into which the
civilized world Of our day appears to
have fallen inextricably."
Not so Kaiser Wilhelm and his friend
Col. Roosevelt, both Of whom are pro-
foundly impressed with the idea That men
and nations are respected In proportion
20 the bigness of the stick they carry.
The most salient point Of the formers
speech at Koenigsberg was concentrated
in these words: 1T is solely on our arm
aments that our peace depends" And
Roosevelt told a party OF British Jour-
nalists: 1.-The proper course for nations
to follow Is outlined in the old proverb,
Speak softly. carry big stick, and you
will go far"
We do not agree with the chairman of
the New York Chamber OF Commerce
that the wonderful strides which Ger
many has made in trade expansion and
commercial development in the last
quarter of a century mainly are due to
the earnest. intelligent, and determined
efforts OF the Emperor" Closer observa-
ton has convinced others that Germany
has so progressed, not because of. but
in spite OF. the protection which Bismarck
was obliged to adopt as an expedient for
securing an adequate revenue to meet
the increased needs of the newly estab-
lished empire.
Germany's success has been due to that
which inevitably must spell SUCCESS to
any Undertaking II strictly adhered TO,
namely. hard work and constant and
systematic application of science and
industry. added to the national thrift of
that nation. The establishment of the
Zollverein, meaning free trade within the
borders of the new federation. was the
first important step in the industrial de-
velopment of that federal union. g
But the protective system already is
beginning TO provoke revolt which may
have far-reaching consequences. one of
the most noteworthy features of this
struggle is the fight in the protectionist
camp itself between the large manufac-
turers and the smaller ones, who depend
upon them for their raw material: also
that between the industrials and the