PROTECTION AND INTERNATIONAL • RELATIONS
[To the Editor of the SPEcrAToa] Sni,—Most Englishmen, of all parties, must be deeply grateful to the Conservative Government fOr their straing and successful attitude of reconciliation and good will, first exhibited in the speeches of the Prime Minister, then in the great work at Locarno, and now as regards Ireland. It is in no controversial spirit therefore that one asks : How can they reconcile with that splendid international policy their &marches in Protection ? The economic side of the matter need not here be discussed ; it is a difficult problem ; and if therein they are mistaken the loss might be overlooked in view of their achievements above re- ferred to. But how about the international side ?
When more than twenty years ago the country was startled by Mr. Chamberlain's fiscal proposals I called on that great Free Trader, Lord (then Mr.) Courtney, to learn his views on the situation, expecting to hear denunciations of the financial follies of Protection ; but instead of that I found him sad- dened because of what he considered the more serious result of such a policy—the obstacle it would be to friendly inter- national relations. Are there not already signs that even the modified " safeguarding " policy is proving such an obstacle ?
[Lord Cromer wed to say that one of the chief merits of Free Trade was that it saved, us from the international quarrels which continually arise out of tariffs.—En. Spectator.]
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