The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-09-29
Editorial Comment
on Current Subjects
UNIVERSAL PROTECTION.

From the New York Journal OF Com
merce, September H.
Readjustments OF Tariffs are in prog
ress all ever the world. Italy this
month begins consideration of a new
system of Protective duties TO fit her
after-war program of industrial devel-
opment. states an article entitled Can
Nations Agree on an International Sys-
TEN of Protective Tariffs" which APP.
pears in the latest issue of The Ameri.
cas-" published by the National City
Bank of New York. The article con.
tinues: AT Vienna conference is now
in progress to determine what Germany
and Austria will do at the expiration OF
present commercial agreements in
January, 1918. India has increased
Protective duties in different way
from other British dominions, which
are working under systems of emer-
gency surtaXes on imports Argentina
has accomplished an upward revision
through raising the official valuation
on goods on which ad valorem duties
are charged. There have been legisla-
tive enactments bringing higher duties
also. Other South American countries
have added to both import and export
Tariffs. n fact, the whole world is
working on higher Tariff basis.
"Italy's action is of significant inter
est. 1t is not war Tariff proposed
there, but permanent machinery for
carrying out national policy of ..igh
industrialization. a commission will
report at the end of this month the de.
tails Of a scientific conventional Tar.
If, with a prohibitive range of duties
in the maximum schedule, reductions
from which Italy will concede after
diplomatic negotiation, in exchange
for other nations concessions, in com
mercial treaties. If the recommended.
tons of the commission are adopted,
and they probably will be, since Italy
has givea formal notice OF abrogation
Of all special Tariff treaties to prepare
for just such system, Italy will be in
a position TO act instantaneously, when
occasion arises, with either a friendly
or an aggressive commercial attitude
toward any other nation. England's
government can very quickly prepare
to do likewise when the right time
comes, and probably France also. In
every European country the matter OF
future Tariffs and commercial treaties
is now receiving close consideration.
on tentative basis.
"The politics of aTriffs and the com.
mercial and industrial effects of Tar.
IFS are bound to become very import.
ant subjects whenever the time of max.
ing peace approaches, whether it be
simply military peace or a real one.
There is now every indication that
since the entry OF the United States
into the war change has taken place
in the feeling of the European Allies
about the character Of the future inter
national arrangements that are TO be
made, particularly arrangements OF
Tariffs. This change is reflected in
the public statements of men who will
have the strong part in the reconstruc.
tive craftsmanship TO come. A firm.
set purpose to bring out OF the war an
international situation that will guar.
antee future peace as completely as
Is humanity possible animates the pub
lie statements of the statesmen OF all
the Allies. 1t now begins to appear
that II the Allies win success decisive