Evening star., 1932-02-17

Differing interpretations are placed by
Americans on the British action in favor
Of a general 10 per cent tarlf1, TO be
effective on March l, though some basic
materials remain on the free list. Pro-
tectionists find in this action an argu-
ment for protection. while opponents OF
the present tariff in this country hold
that Great Britain has been forced to
act because OF the American tarif
Emphasis is placed upon the fact that
for the first time in generations Eng
land has accepted the theory OF those
who oppose its traditional policy OF free
trade.
For the ultimate success OF the new
policy" in the opinion Of the Boston
Transcript, much will depend on the
extent to which the Dominlons IN the
Imperial Conference, to be held az
Ottawa in July, are found willing 70
subordinate the special interests OF their
resnectiye Dominions to the economic
solidarity of the empire" Holding that
this action constitutes zone OF the most
significant revolutions in world COM
merce of recent years" the Roanoke
Tirnes states: Great Britain holds two
powerful weapons One is the threat
10 impose a 100 per cent tariff in cases
of discrimination against British prod
nets in the world markets. The other
is that she definitely takes precedence
in the Dominion trade, and gives I'M
netus 10 a new spirit OF empire unity.
Interdominion commerce may prove
severe blow to other nations wnicn
heretofore have carried on extensive
trade with the Dominlons.
"If this new tariff helps to balance
the Governments books. and sets more
of the dole beneficiaries to earning
wages" according to the Buffalo Eve
ming News, "it will improve the Duyils
power of the British market. Inat -
what will help producers IN tne ohivt ,,';,i
States and Canada far more tnan WIZ
the maintenance Of free market IN a
country where fewer people eacn yeai
thing - The Spokane Spokesman
review declares that one effect OF ths
british action is that "the long-stanolng
free-trade policy Of the Democratic
party in the United States went over
board" and that it shows that otnei
countries, including even Great 6lltaiti,
are putting their tariff bars higher 10
increase employment for their people
THAT the law is q step In the
direction of q general protective poncy,
thinks the Atlanta Journal, rs not
to be denied, but it should not be for
gotten that the consequences WITHIN
ENGLAND have chiefly actuated British
politicians. Firstly. the budget had to
be balanced. A masterful pro-
gram of road building, slum rehabilita-
ton, drainage projects and other means
of creating employment and making Q
more efficient state for the future Is
advocated by aggressive Britons, and
the tariff will pay for these at the
same time that it will permit light
ening of the tremendous burden on
British industry" The Atlanta paper
believes that America may congratu-
late herself that Britain has not chosen
to shut out our goods, and may reflect
upon the period OF grace we are thus
Former Gov. Frank o. Lowden OF
Illinois is quoted by the Portland,
Greg, Journal, as stated that for
eign nations are raising up tariffs
against American products IN retalia-
ton for the American tariff" and
that "such a course by the rest Of the
| world is ever narrowing the market
! for the products of this country" The
| Asbury Park Press points out that
"the few industries that were able to
have erected plants on foreign soil to
avoid the tariff walls which other ma.
tions have established to retaliate against
| u.s." On this situation the Baltimore
Evening Sun comments: In Canada
alone, for example. there are now 524
industrial establishments which are
branch factories Of American concerns
In Europe thee are 453 others. Thus
the establishment Of the new British
tariff viii not prevent the sale Of Amer
lean 1oods n ~ lmp1ro1 q III