New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-16
Canada Facing Away
How Her Relations with the United States Must
Be Altered by the Great Economic Pact

fDellt, 10 flOW HidhiiiS WIZ ~ NN''
studying the condition Of the lumber
trade and seeking special openings
for the Canadian product. Of even
greater Importance and significance
is the visit to Europe Of a Canadian
trade commission, composed of lead
ing business men, who are making
a study of opportunities for the de-
velopment of Canadian commerce
in England, France, Italy and Bel
gium. The commission has spent
some time in Italy inspecting indus
trial establishments and comforting
with several Cabinet Ministers.
Such efforts are certain to be pro-
ductive of good results.
Its Reactions on United States.
The economic mobilization and
permanent organization of the Brit
ish Empire is development of prob
ably greater concern to the United
States than the trade arrangements
between the Allies. The demand Tor
& measure of trade federation is
strong and urgent. Cobdenism has
received a severe setback and is
blamed for having made the war
possible. 1t is realized now that the
economic penetration by Germany
all but proved the undoing Of Brit
ain. as it did also of Russia. A strlk-
ing example of Germany's economic
preparation for war-and 1t is only
one of many-is given by Mr.. George
Weiss, of "The Journal of Com
merce," writing in the current num-
Der of 1.-THE Forum" In the course
of an explanation Of why the ship
wards of England are not turning
out merchant vessels, Mr.. Weiss
says:
"The Germans ruined the English
shipbuilders in the guise of supply
ing them with forglngs cheaply be-
fore the war. The Germans manu-
featured about 80 per cent of the
shaftings and forgings used by Eng
lish shipbuilders, and the English
plants turned to other lines of en-
deavor, leaving this field to the Ger
mans. The English can make forg-
ings; but the huge hydraulic presses
are not obtainable overnight and the
plants capable of making them are
controlled establishments, for hy-
draulic presses are needed for can
non and not ship shafts"
Preferred Markets.
The advocates of tariff reform in
England are in the ascendant, and
their argument will be strengthened
by the fiscal requirements of the
country to meet the heavy interest
charges upon the war debt. Prefer
ence for "the colonies" has long been
a plank in the platform of the Tariff
Reform organization. In the oversee
Gominions, and particularly in Can
ada, there has been a strong desire
for preference in the British mar
ket. Canada wants preferred mar
ket for her wheat. The West Indies
would like preferred treatment for
their sugar. The several parts of
the empire all see advantage to them
selves, as well as to the empire at
large, in the development of imperial
trade first. For nearly twenty years
Canada has maintained an unrecip-
rocated preferential tariff in favor
of British manufactures. There has
been sentiment in it, but the senti-
ment which binds the British Empire
together is not to be despised. 1t is
this same sentiment which will make
possible the effective economic feder-
alton of the empire. The war and
the splendid response of the domin-
ions have brought imperial relations
again under searching review. Can
ada. Australia, New Zealand, South
Africa and the other portions of the
far-fung empire have made great
sacrifices. The war has taught them
that they are vital to the empire and
they are demanding a voice in its ad-
ministration. Moreover, they want
business partnership with the mother
country which will give to each part
ner a preference in the markets of
the other. There is no thought of
surrendering autonomy. Canada will
still control her own fiscal policy, and
so will the other dominions.
Common Necessities.
The principal factor impelling to
closer imperial trade relations is
common necessity. There is no spite
in it, no bitterness against neutrals.
Trade federation, if it is effected,
will have as its chief argument the
preservation Of the British Empire
and its strengthening against ag-
erosion, economic or military. So
far as Canada is concerned. there is