New-York tribune., 1919-03-01
British Cabinet
In nQuandary Over
Import Embargo
Slowness of Industrial Read
. justment to Peace COndi-
fions Prevents Action;
Say Manufacturers Benefit
Nc,o York Tribune
Spfctn{ Cable Cerrtcs


Special Cable Serrics
Copyright. 1919. Now York Tribune Inc)
LONDON, Feb. 28.-The British
barge on imported goods, but the
question is whether the government
is In position of sufficient freedom
to carry out that wish. This is the
conclusion reached after many in
quiries in official and other circles.
One of the governments chief trade
advisers summarized the situation
thus:
The Cabinet is anxious to make
decision at the earliest possible mo-
ment and also to frame policy
which Will apply not only TO America
but to all other countries concerned
It is obviously highly desirable to
resume the normal state of trade as
soon ns possible, but the difficulties
confronting us arc enormous.
1,25O.O00 Unemployed
"The root of the whole matter IS
that we mi scalculated the time neces-
sary to change over from war to peace
conditions 1t seemed likely that the
manufacturers engaged in war work
would be able TO resume normal work
with moderate ease, but this calcula-
ton proved wrong This is shown
with emphasis by the fact that the
number of unemployed has risen rap
idly during the past few weeks to the
present high figure of 1850 900.
ain some trades, if foreign goods
were allowed to enter Mt the present
time, it would be absolutely imposs-
Die for our manufacturers to resume,
let alone compete. In many cases,
owing to present uncertainties. as
we'll ms the shortage Of raw materials
and high prices. 1t ia found imposs-
lle even TO make a beginning in the
direction Of resumption.
These factories were compelled to
change over TO war work. 1t Ia only
fair TO give them an opportunity to
revert 10 old condtoona under moro
favorable circumstance than would
he possible If they were confronted
with keen competition during the
process OF trnnsformnton.
No Discrimination
"Morcovcr. the government la tax
Ing tho greatest caro- to prevent
hardship on account Of tho embargo,
going to the length of eytondng, and
sonet mes renewing, liconses where
II seems that the exporter has been
placed in an unfair position. The
Cabinet does not wnnt to discrim-
nate hgalnat any country. 1t is un-
true that spccln privleges have
heen granted TO the French What we
desire TO enforce is policy which In
itself IA just to all, while giving us
rec hand IN feaumlng commerce at
she first possible moment"
This statement however, does not
cover the entire controversy. In tho
first place Ronar Law made to tho
National Union of Manufacturers last
November what WAS practically
guarantee of protection. This was
followed during the first week in Jan
uary by Sir Albert Stanley's promise
TO large group OF uAAufacturers
that their industries would be pro-
tected from foreign competition for
period of six if not twelve mor-.ha
And these facts are doubtless materi-
ally handicappng the government as
a whole in dealing with the question.
Would Aid Consumer
There is another side to the prob
lem, also which is being pressed al
most daily n Parliament by the group
Of which Colonel Wedgwood is the
leader. That is the interest of the
consumer. This group argues forcibly
that the manufacturers affect ted
gained enormously by the high prices
paid them under government war con-
tracts. They see no reason why
prices should now be maintained with
government aid at the present high
level at the expense Of the consumer
Another factor in this phase of the
problem comprises the Unionist mem
bers of Parliament. All these are
protectlonlsts, and undoubtedly con-
slder the present an occasion admira-
bly, suited TO an experiment by Great
Britain in high tariff protection.
Opposed 20 this are the Liberal SUD-
porters of the coalition, who are al
most in every instance free traders,
pledged TO resist protection. Any large
policy, therefore, on the part Of the
government is likely to add greatly to
the present embarrassmen nts Of the
administration
Bar Dyestuffs
Meanwhile, pending a decisioon, the
existing arrangements are being ad-
hered to. the latest development be-
ing prohibition Of the importation
OF foreign dyes. This, while aiding
the infant dye industry. Is hea W
blow at the textile trades, which are
now protesting vigorously.
WHAT the Cabinet is now really en-
gagged in adjndicating Is the old con-
ifoverHy Of free trade versus proter-
ticn. While the bulk Of the lnaru-
facturers are forcibly supporting The
latter the already strong opposition
Of labor. irtitated TO an unpYeceden nted
extent by high prices, makes il ex-
tr~mely doubtful whether the final
deciaion VIII go against Eng1and's q
traditional policy of free trade