WHAT BRITAIN MIGHT DO. 119

to the consumer, it depends. It may be so, or it
may not be so. Now, sir, the real truth of the
matter is this: As I said, it is a rather complicated
question. The economists are right, in my judgment,
 in saying that under normal conditions, certain
results may follow. The statesmen are right in saying
 that these results may be violently disturbed by
abnormal causes, and it may be part of their duty to
consider them. Economists are right in saying commercial
 wars are harmful, and statesmen may be right
in saying that such wars may be forced upon a
country. If I read Mr. Chamberlain aright, I think
Mr. Chamberlain means more than his critics have
given him credit for. I think he shows that there are
certain great political possibilities, to which I will
invite your attention.
«Sir, I think Mr. Chamberlain sees that the selfish
policy of the United States has resulted in a very
extraordinary condition of things, and has put a very
great power into the hands of the people of Great
Britain if they choose to use it. The trade relations
now existing between Great Britain and the United
States are worthy of the most serious consideration.
[ have here a list of the exports, and invite your
attention to them.
«The United States in 1903 exported $1,420,000,000
worth of goods, chiefly food products. They sent to
Great Britain and Canada, and the other dependencies,
$747,000,000; to all the rest of the world outside the
British Empire they sent $672,000,000—the trade with
Great Britain and her colonies amounted to $75,000,000
more than with all the rest of the world. As you know,
their goods are imported free into Great Britain, At
any rate, as you know, the trade from Great Britain to
the United States has been cut down by prohibitory
legislation to such a point that only some £ 20,000,000,
or about one-sixth or one-seventh part of the amount
Great Britain imports free, has been exported to the
United States. Now, sir, there are three courses, to