20 JUNE 1903, Page 16

RETALIATIOg : A SUGGESTION.

[To THE EDITOR. OP THE "SPECTATOR."] SIR,—The strongest argument with those who advocate a change in our fiscal policy is the need for some weapon with which to fight a country which, like Germany, is disposed to treat us or our Colonies harshly. Has our diplomacy no weapons already with which to meet such cases ? Do not German ships make use of our coaling-stations, and would not the threat to refuse them that privilege be sufficient retaliatory power in our hands without disturbing our home [On the face of it, "A. E.'s " suggestion is an excellent one. In any case, it is certain that there are better ways of punish- ing Germany for attacks upon us than by penalising our -own importers, retailers, and consumers.—En. Spectator.]