list4-第19章
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cent; ought completely to accomplish this object。 Every argument
which is adduced by the supporters of the theory of values against
such a measure; has been refuted by us。 On the other hand; we may
add a further argument in favour of that measure; that these great
branches of industry especially offer us the means for establishing
extensive machine manufactories and for the development of a race
of competent technical instructors and practical foremen。
In the trade in colonial produce Germany; as France and England
have done; has to follow the principle that in respect to the
purchase of the colonial produce which we require; we should give
a preference to those tropical countries which purchase
manufactured goods from us; or; in short; that we should buy from
those who buy from us。 That is the case in reference to our trade
with the West Indies and to North and South America。
But it is not yet the case in reference to our trade with
Holland; which country supplies us with enormous quantities of her
colonial produce; but only takes in return disproportionately small
quantities of our manufactured goods。
At the same time Holland is naturally directed to the market of
Germany for the disposal of the greater part of her colonial
produce; inasmuch as England and France derive their supplies of
such produce for the most part from their own colonies and from
subject countries (where they exclusively possess the market for
manufactured goods); and hence they only import small quantities of
Dutch colonial produce。
Holland has no important manufacturing industry of her own;
but; on the other hand; has a great productive industry in her
colonies; which has recently greatly increased and may yet be
immeasurably further increased。 But Holland desires of Germany that
which is unfair; and acts contrary to her own interests if rightly
understood; inasmuch as she desires to dispose of the greater part
of her colonial produce to Germany; while she desires to supply her
requirements of manufactured goods from any quarter she likes best。
This is; for Holland; an only apparently beneficial and a
short…sighted policy; for if Holland would give preferential
advantages to German manufactured goods both in the mother country
and in her colonies; the demand in Germany for Dutch colonial
produce would increase in the same proportion in which the sale of
German manufactured goods to Holland and her colonies increased;
or; in other words; Germany would be able to purchase so much the
more colonial produce in proportion as she sold more manufactured
goods to Holland; Holland would be able to dispose of so much more
colonial produce to Germany as she purchased from Germany
manufactured goods。 This reciprocal exchange operation is; at
present; rendered impracticable by Holland if she sells her
colonial produce to Germany while she purchases her requirements in
manufactured goods from England; because England (no matter how
much of manufactured goods she sells to Holland) will always supply
the greater part of her own requirements of colonial produce from
her own colonies; or from the countries which are subject to her。
Hence the interests of Germany require that she should either
demand from Holland a differential duty in favour of Germany's
manufacturing production; by which the latter can secure to herself
the exclusive market for manufactured goods in Holland and her
colonies; or; in case of refusal; that Germany should impose a
differential duty on the import of colonial produce in favour of
the produce of Central and South America and of the free markets of
the West Indies。
The above…named policy would constitute the most effective
means of inducing Holland to join the German Zollverein。
As matters now stand; Germany has no reason for sacrificing her
own manufactories of beetroot sugar to the trade with Holland; for
only in case Germany can pay for her requirements of this article
by means of her own manufactured goods; is it more to her advantage
to supply that requirement by an exchange trade with tropical
countries; than by producing it herself at home。
Hence the attention of Germany should be at once chiefly
directed to the extension of her trade with Northern; Central; and
South America; and with the free markets of the West Indies。 In
connection with that; the following measures; in addition to that
above adverted to; appear desirable: the establishment of a regular
service of steamships between the German seaports and the principal
ports of those countries; the promotion of emigration thither; the
confirmation and extension of friendly relations between them and
the Zollverein; and especially the promotion of the civilisation of
those countries。
Recent experience has abundantly taught us how enormously
commerce on a large scale is promoted by a regular service of
steamships。 France and belgium are already treading in the
footsteps of England in this respect; as they well perceive that
every nation which is behindhand in this more perfect means of
transport must retrograde in her foreign trade。 The German seaports
also have already recognised this; already one public company has
been completely formed in Bremen for building two or three steam
vessels for the trade with the United States。 This; however; is
clearly an insufficient provision。 The commercial interests of
Germany require not only a regular service of steam vessels with
North America; especially with New York; Boston; Charleston; and
New Orleans; but also with Cuba; San Domingo; and Central and South
America。 Germany ought to be behind no other nation in respect to
these latter lines of steam navigation。 It must certainly not be
ignored that the means which are required for these objects will be
too great for the spirit of enterprise; and perhaps also for the
power of the German seaports; and it seems to us they can only be
carried into effect by means of liberal subsidies on the part of
the states of the Zollverein。 The prospect of such subsidies as
well as of differential duties in favour of German shipping; ought
at once to constitute a strong motive for these seaports to become
included in the Commercial Union。 When one considers how greatly
the exports of manufactured goods and the imports of colonial
produce; and consequently also the customs revenue; of the states
of the Zollverein would be increased by such a measure; one cannot
doubt that even a considerable expenditure for this object must
appear as only a reproductive investment of capital from which rich
returns are to be expected。
Through the increase of the means of intercourse of Germany
with the above…named countries; the emigration of Germans to those
countries and their settlement there as citizens would be no less
promoted; and by that means the foundation would be laid for future
increase of commerce with them。 For this object the states of the
Zollverein ought to establish everywhere consulates and diplomatic
agencies; by means of which the settlement and undertakings of
German citizens could be promoted; and especially to assist those
states in every practicable way in giving stability to their
governments and improving their degree of civilisation。
We do not share in the least the opinion of those who think
that the tropical countries of America offer less advantages to
German colonisation than those of temperate climate in North
America。 However great; as we h