THE NEW GERMAN TARIFF.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 11084, 1 October 1901, Page 4

THE NEW GERMAN TARIFF.

A few words of explanation ati to the reason for the Socialist*' agitation against the new German custonW tariff, mentiooed- is the cable messages this morning, may not be amiss. This tariff, be it noted, is offered aitd received as & substantial concesstan to tha demands of the Agrarian party in Germany for higher protective duties on agricultural produce. The new rates, it appears, enpecially thoaer on cereals, «re far in exeete of what w*s anticipated aod are, consequently, all the more satisfactory to the land oinwcs. Bat, on the. other hand, there is a

strong feeling in GtermMiy that do amount of ptofcectioo will euffice to bolster up the German agrioultaral trade against the competition of Russia and America. The prodigious increase of town populations, the expansion of manufactures, and the necessity that has become app&M&t during the last twenty years of drawing more and more npon the resources of other lands, have all combined to lower tin rank of agriculture among the industries of Germany. Consequently, any attempt to protect the native agriculture by shutting oat the cheap wheat aad rye of other countries is bound to excite opposition. While satisfying one class of the population, it vexes another class. And if j as "The Times" suggests, this new tariff is an Undisguised bounty in favour of th& landed interests at the expense of all the others, it follows that the Socialist party has not far to look to find iis cue. In the new tariff Germany's Social Democracy finds the stimulus it has long been'in need of to stir it into renewed activity. Of recent years the general prosperity of the country, has militated against Socialism. It is not from among the well paid and the well fed that the Socialists win their converts. But the increased duties on corn, suggested in the new tariff, have given a fresh stimulus to the party, w that it is not at all surprising to find them meeting in congress, and 'strenuously denouncing" the tariff proposals. The present time, moreover, *is favourable to Socialism. Germany is threatened just now with , a serious financial and commercial crisis. Manufacturing enterprise, relying largely on borrowed money, has been pushed forward to unreasonable limits; with the result that the country is now suffering a reaction in the shape of financial depression. And at such a time there are always plenty of people ready to lieten to the plausible argument* of the Socialist.