New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-22
Americans in London Elk,
pect Reciprocity with
Canada to Result
FREE TRADERS SHOW
LITTLE OPPOSITION
New Measures May Take
Place of Paris Anti-Ger-
man Resolutions
BY Gable to The Tribune (

London, Feb. 21.-The report BY Lord
Balfour OF Burleigh's committee on
imperial preference has created enor-
nous interest, as il shows unmistaka-
bic divergence from all traditional free
trade ideas. The findings are the more
remarkable because Lord Balfour and
the majority Of the committee were
free traders before the war
The members of the old Manchester
school are still ready to adhere TO all
their former ideas, but unquestlonaoly
the majority Of the public regard colo
NAL preference after the war as an ac-
cepted fact.
Discussion ranges around the tnlrd
resolution: The desirability OF a
wider range of customs duty which Will
form the basis for commercial treaties
with Allied and neutral powers.
American bankers, business men and
officials scanned these words in the
closest fashion to-day. That might
mean United States reciprocity with
Canada said one, arguing that any
scheme of reciprocity between the
a similar arrangement with Canada.
Object Lesson for America
Generally speaking, there is little
criticism of the resolutions. The ma
jority of Americans here believe they
are not an actual appendage TO the
Paris resolutions. and that they VIII
have a good effect: politically, because
they will provide an object lesson 20
America in the necessity Of really
scientific tariff, and, commercially, be
cause they will show the trading po-
tentialities of the British Empire.
II is taken for granted that com
uorcial treaty between the United
States and Great Britain is a posi-
tilitv. There is feeling that the
Paris resolutions under the present re-
rime. as under the Asquith rule, viii
DC quietly shelved Il is felt that If
they we're carried out Germany, lmme-
diatelv after the war, would offer gen
erous reciprocal terms TO the United
States which probably would be ac-
cepted. with the result that the United
States would be bound with the Central
Powers in commercial struggle
against the British Empire and its pres
cnt allies.
Britain, which is bound 20 attempt 20
maintain her present standard Ct pro-
Guction after the war, is hardly likely
to wish to offend America. her best
customer. Moreover, the inclusion of
the United States would largely re-
move the objections of the free traders
opposed to any preference for British
colonies.
Fear Russian-German Treaty
These critics assert that. as 20 per
cent Of British trade is carried on with
toreign countries and only 80 with her
dominions. British interests are bound
% suffer in the event of preference,
while some of Britain's present allies
would be forced TO combine with Ger
many-Russia. for instance, which geo
graphically would be the natural trad
ing partner Of Germany.
On the ether hand. if the principles
row urged are upheld and an arrangC-
ment with the United States is made
possible, it is believed that this would
largely Offset such possibilities. while
al the same time giving the opportunity
Cor the framing Of a scientific tariff on
large lines.
There is no mistaking the optimism
Of the American community here, while
the out-and-out British free traders are
faced with a detection Of many Of their
oldest and most faithful adherents and
seem 10 have lost most Of their former
il duence