, 1922-07-21
: Restrictions, Embargoes and Tariffs

continue to advance the argument that the err
actment of such a tariff will result in a decline of
our import trade.
~ Because by preventing this nations market
from being flooded by cheaply made products of
other countries this country will not be able to
sell to other countries.
(2) The enactment of a protective tariff by tsais
country will invite retaliation from other countries
In the form of high tariffs that will keep out Amer
lean products.
The answer to the first argument is furnished, by
the records of the department of commerce, which
show that every time this country has enacted a
protective tariff its exports have, under the opera
lions of that tariff, increased very materially.
The second argument, that the enactment of an
American protective tariff by this congress will in
vite retaliation from other countries in the form
of high tariffs is false and misleading for the very
simple reason that % of the leading nations of the
world have already erected high tariff walls
against imports, tariff walls which have been OBJ
Grating for months against the Importation of
American products In this list OF % nations is in
Guided the British Empire which means not only
the United Kingdom but the British Dominions-
Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India and South
Africa-and all the British colonial possessions,
whether insular or continental. 4
This fact clearly proves that that propaganda
which is being circulated throughout the United
States to the effect that the enactment of an Amer
lean protective tariff will invite reprisals by other
countries is a propaganda that is absolutely false
because 1t predicts that American tariff will bring
about a condition which in point of fact already
exists and has existed for some time-under the
Underwood free trade tariff.
Not only have the leading nations in the world
chactcu ulBn tarlII walls winch operate against
American imports, but not satisfied with protection
AFFORDED their markets by such high duties, a great
number have established absolute embargoes
against foreign imports.
Italy established an absolute embargo in August.
l92l, on a very long list of articles. This list, broad
~ speaking included all articles which can be made
in Italy and all articles which the Italian author.
tiles arbitrarily classify as "1uxuries." Although
this embargo has been relaxed somewhat since its
imposition, there yet remains a long list of articles
which are prohibited entrance to Italy, and the
united States is the axDOrtar nf a yarv lar1o oron
tity of these articles.
Czecho-Slovakia in March, 1920, established an
embargo prohibiting the importation of all articles
the ike OF which are made within that country and
also all articles which are classified by the author
Tues OF that nation as luxuries. Many American
exports are included in this list.
Germany has an embargo under the name of n IL
censing system. Permission to import goods must be
obtained by a license and no license lis issued for
Importation OF luxuries or for any articles which
can De or are being made in ermany-including
OF course, a long list of American-made articles.
hungary has a similar system of licensing which
amounts to an embargo and which absolutely pro.
nlblts a long list of articles which the United
States produces and exports.
Poland is another country which prohits imnor-
tatlon OF articles the like of which are manufac-
tured within that country and also all articles
which the Polish government arbitrarily classifies
as luxuries.
Belgium has practically prohibited the imror+.
non OF articles made in that country by the imposi-
ton of a 300 per cent tariff on manufacturer goods
such as textiles, iron and steel, chemicals, soar.
rubber goods, automobiles, pianos, etc.
Spain has established an embargo ON , ,arn.
number of articles including wheat and f1onr
switzerland requires a special license to be is.
SUED De1ore anyone may import cotton, WOODEN or
SILK textile goods, cutlery, celluloid, various kinds
Oh pottery, stone and porcelain ware and meat prod
9cts when put up in tin or glass,-which applies
directly to many exports from this country
Great Britain has the licensing system undar b.r
Safeguarding of Industries Act" At present she
mas not applied it to any products from the United
otates because she is amply protected from such
imports by her tariff of 1873 per. cent. but in ~
licensing system she has a weapon which she IL
able 10 use at any time to stop absolutely all in
ports of any character.
Peru, Roumania, Ecuador and other countr;e.
nave embargoes against a selected list of articIes
country. H"m 1nis
This exposes the fallacy and the, fals;tv of IL,
argument that the enactment of an American nro-
tectye tariff viii invite reprisals. because otbo-
countries nave not waited for this nation 70 pass
la protective tariff before they have mt ;n+o 80
feet high tariffs or absolute emba rpoes
These facts also show that the limited s+,+.s =.
not going to obtain the foreign trade of sucb corr.
tries whetherdt enacts a protective TARIFF ON rrhotL
er 1t does not. In other words, we.haye ALREADY 1ns+
me trade OF the countries which have placed an
embargo against our goods. So that there 10 notb.
ing TO be gained 1nsthe way of foreign .markets H. =
refusal to enact a tariff which protects onr cyn
markets. Jul w
The embargoes and the high tariffs nut. ;r+,
rect by otner' countries of the world have not been
imposed out OF a spirit of economic hostility ~
this country or-to- other countries. The Main frrtt,
of the situation is that European countries are flat
broke. With the single possible exception of Enc.
land, no. country which was engaged in war is bal
ancing its budget In truth the budget reports from
these countries show that they are much deener in
debt now than they were when the armistice was
signed.
AS a result of this financial situation and be,