Evening journal., 1918-05-09
TmE TARIrF TorIc IS rIMELY.

A LTHOUGH the Democratic press asserts that the
"A tariff Will not be issue in the coming campaign
It growing daily evident that the Senatorial and
Congressional elections Of 1918 will turn very largely
that fundamental party difference Of The past with
a few modern problems side issues and ncdcnials
Facing The nconrovertble fact that the nation in time
OF peace failed to prepare for war the fovardoong
OF the country are insisting that in time of must
prepare for peace and when peace and its problems
under discussion, talk turns at once the competition
we must meet in industry and commerce.
When peace shall be declared we shall probably have
100000 men under arms and another 100000 engaged
In occupations incidental TO the war. There viii be
100000 men to be turned from activities TO the
activities OF peace. Undoubtedly considerable proper
tlon OF these viii be needed in construction work
and other enterprises that neglected during
the but there will be hundreds Of thousands out
looking for the jobs that have taken by women
boys and old men. II is felt. therefore that shall
need all the wase-paylng jobs we can nnd and must
guard against the seizure OF American markets by the
producers Of other nations
AS Delawareans aware, our own Department Of
Commerce, headed though it is by frec-trade Democrat
is beginning to recognize this fact The chief Of the
Bureau Of Foreign and Domestic Commerce has recently
declared several occasions that European countries
have not been materially impaired ndustray and that
we shall have keen competition to meet because Of the
large numbers OF soldiers who will back into pro-
ductive activity the IS over The Com
merce Departments expert foreign trade does not
however, discuss the probable difference here
and in Europe but nferentlaly admits that the Euro
pean wage scale will be much the lower for if wages
were equality should have no need 10 fear
any and an competition
AZ the time that the Bureau Of Foreign and
Domestic Commerce is making these admissions and is
warning OF the fierce trade war we must meet. the
President Is insisting that the treaty OF peace shall pro
vide for the removal Of all economic barriers meaning
apparently protective tariffs such as have constituted
barrier against the sale OF cheap foreign products in
markets in competition with the products OF the better
paid labor Of America
The admission that shall face grave competition
and the declaration Of the head the Democratic party
in favor Of free trade has forced the tar before
likely to be fogotten.
Many have assumed that support OF the Government
in the prosecution OF the will overshadow all other
issues, and that loyalty win totally eclipse the tariff
campaign discussion. But it has become apparent that
both parties VIII nominate IN almost every case men
who stand FOR America and her Allies only in time OF
and for America First in time OF peace The voters
win not bo called upon to choose between loyal ct-
zen and sedtonst, but between two loyal citizens.
aud th0y viii choose the who more nearly repre-
sents their economic principles and who seems more
likely to leglslae for the sound and permanent pros
perty Of the American people.
As the economic principles of Senator Salisbury and
Representative Polk Of this State, unsound they
should be defeated In their effort TO obtain reelection