FREE TRADE MANIFESTO

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 97, 21 October 1926, Page 11

FREE TRADE MANIFESTO

AMERICA WILL KEEP HER TARIFF

SUSPICION OF EUROPEAN PROPAGANDA.

(United Press Association.—Copyright.) NEW YORK, 20th October. The removal of tariff barriers and other restrictions on European trade, recommended by the group of international bankers who signed the statemont to the public hero and in European capitals, involves only post-war trade agreements, and does not contemplate any change in the American tariff laws, in the opinion of United States bankers familiar with the document. No special importance is attached to the statement by international bankers horo. It is said that the idea originated last spring with British bankers, who solicited American signatories in an endeavour to lend moral force to the plea, rather than commit them to a definite programme. A Washington message states that the President's official spokesman has announced that the United States will keep its protective tariff, regardless of what international bankers think best for Europe. The (statement proceeds: "There ia quite a difference betweon the tariff customs of the United States and other countries. I doubt if much can bo done without jeopardising our standard of living, our scale of wages, and our quantity of production." Another reaction in official circles was that the manifesto indicated a move by Europe for a reduction of the American war debts, or cancellation, if the proposal is carried forward to its logical conclusion. It is understood that Republican politicians are ready to seize upon the manifesto'to Bhow that, the present tariff is insufficient to protect American industry, and to use this as campaign material at the coming election.