The Salt Lake herald-Republican. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1909-1918, 1910-07-20
OUR INDUSTRIES MENACED.


While compliments are being ex-
changed with the japanese govern
ment. and the little brown men are
recognized as real people among the
civilized nations, the Japs are forging
ahead in all directions regardless Of
the rights Of other powers to do bust
ness.
It IS claimed that the recent agree
ment with Russia regarding Manchu-
ria does not menace the open door.
Perhaps not on the surface. But a
secret treaty was forced upon China
many moons ago. and the two ar
rangements. taken in connection with
the certainty that Korea is 70 be an
nexed and other acts OF the japanese
government render It certain that the
United States will be shut out OF the
Orient 50 far as possible.
But that is not the worst feature Of
the situation. We cannot compete
with the japanese in the markets Of
the world on even terms, owing to the
higher standard Of living in this coun-
try and the greater rewards secured
by the wOrkingmen for their services.
In addition TO all this, we are buying
three times as much from the Japan
csc as they buy from US. Commenting
/ upon this phase Of the situation. the
American Economist says:
Japan with its extremely low priced
labor sent TO this country in II
| months ending with May. S61 .252 -
| DO In value Of her exports while
she took from the United States
| only $z0.492.9f9. or just one-third
Of the amount we paid her for
| the products OF that country. But
Japan VIII receive still less Of
/ the United States goods when er
new tariff takes effect
The japanese foreign minister. in
taikinE n the tariff Of his cOun-
try. stated that Il was expected
TO make conventional rates. but
that could not be done with the
United states. because the gov
eminent Of this country had no
| power except by approval II
Congress TO make a conventional
| tariff
70 can be inferred from the Japanese
ioreiga minister's remarks that
| the United States will pay Japan's
/ highest RACES. unless q makes a
| reciprocity treaty. This. in view
o. the fact that we take three
/ times as much now from japan
as that country buys from US
and at the same time Japan has
driven our cotton goods and other
/ products practically out Of the
Manchuria1 and Korean markets.
and has taken away a great deal
/ OF our Chinese trade. shows that
the situation Is not one Which
/ indicates the wisdom OF further
| tariff reduction on the part OF che
United States.
The warning is timely in view OF the
agitation for lower tariff duties IN this
country. Instead Of lowering the
schedules it is apparent that they
should be raised unless the people Of
the United States arc willing to close
their mills and factories and buy the
cheap labor products OF the japanese.
It is folly to say that we are so rich
and prosperous that we can stand this
sort OF thing for any length OF time.
The only possible way out Of the diff
Guilty would be n reduction I'm wages
10 the japanese level. and that is what
Is bound 90 occur unless the working
men OF the country protect themselves
| by their votes.
II Is ali very we'll to say that free
trade Is right theoretically. and that
the college political economists are
/ teaching correct principles. But as
the late Grover Cleveland observed. IT
is a condition and not a theory that
confronts us. That condition calls
for a practical solution instead OF
more theories.
The Republican party has applied
the principle OF protection for fifty
years. The country has grown great
and prosperous. shall the Industries
Of the United states be destroyed at
n single blown That Is the question
for the workingmen. the farmers and
the manufacturers 70 decide. Look
across the Pacific. gentlemen. before
making up your minds.