Evening star., 1922-06-06
ASSA|[ED
IN TARIFF SPEECH
Senator Watson, Indiana,
Sees DictatoriaI Attitude
of Britain and Italy.

Sir Auckland Geddes, the British
ambassador: Senator Ricci. the Ital-
ian ambassador. and representatives
In this country of other foreign gov
ernments were attacked yesterday in
the Senate by Senator Watson of In
diana, an administration leader. in
connection with statements attribut-
ed to them with respect to American
trade tariff and other subjects
1--WE have no objection to these peo-
pie expressing their honest views"
Senator Watson said. but we have
objection to them trying to dictate
the policies of the United States so
long as they are accredited here as
representatives of their nations. This
is an American government and it is
TO be dictated to only by the sover
eign voice of the American people.
Suppose Col. Harvey should get up
IN London and tell them they had to
pass tariff bill. or tell them they had
to do some other things or we would
not do business with them. They
would send him home and they ought
to do it. IL is not his business to go
over there and dictate the policy of
European government. it is not theirs
to come here and dictate to us"
Quotes California Speech.
Senator Watson. who was deliver
ing an address on the tariff, read
published account of an address de-
livered by Sir Auckland Geddes in
California last March. in which it was
stated since the United States held
most of the worlds supply of gold
some arrangement ought to be made
whereby the British could pay for
their purchases in the United States
on other than gold basis. AS one
means it was suggested that COM
merce between the two countries be
carried in British ships.
We must not have an American
merchant marine! exclaimed Senator
Watson. I'VE must use British ships,
marine to do our carrying. this
mighty nation situated as it is be-
tween the two imperial seas of the
world that ought to have the carry
ing trade of the earth. and carry
American commerce in American
ships. Is not that the right policy
for the United States? Oh, but your
friend from abroad says no, we must
use British ships, that we must not
have an American merchant marine,
or they will not trade with us.
Now. a very great man. very
capable representative of a mighty
people. and yet l think going entirely
outside the bounds of propriety in at
tempting to dictate the policy of this
mishtiest of nations in the recorded
history of time.
Charges Italian Threat.
Reading from a statement credited
to Am bassador RiCci, to the effect
that if the United States raised tariff
rates Italy would be compelled to
impose high rates on American prod
ucts, Senator Watson said this was
a threat that if I'VE put up the tariff
and do not buy from them they will
cease to buy from us"
Il have other quotations from the
speeches of the ambassador which I
shall not read" continued Senator
watson. He further inveighed
against our policy of immigration
He also attacked our policy of pro-
hihition; Whatever any one may
think about it, it is our policy: we
made 1t: we are responsible for it"
The Indiana Senator also quoted
from speeches by British and French
consuls general at New York meet
ing Of consuls of thirty-seven nations
in which "as little interference as
possible" with foreign trade was
advocated. At the same time he said
Great Britain and France were in
cresSing their tariffs.
Free trade" exclaimed Senator
watson. 1T goes hand in hand with
internationalism. hand in hand with
the league of nations. The men
who tried to get us into the league
of nations are the ones who are try
ing to defeat this tariff bill Free
trade and internationalism react in
opposition to it,