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unwise corn laws； for by them the prices of provisions and raw
materials and the wages of labour have been kept low in Germany。 By
them the German manufactories have been placed in an advantageous
position compared to the English ones。 Make haste； therefore； you
fools； to abolish these corn laws。 By that means you will doubly
and trebly damage the German manufactories ： firstly； because the
prices of provisions and raw materials and the wages of labour will
be raised in Germany and lowered in England； secondly； because by
the export of German grain to England the export of English
manufactured goods to Germany will be promoted； thirdly； because
the German Commercial Union has declared that it is disposed to
reduce their duties on common cotton and woollen goods in the same
proportion in which England facilitates the import of German grain
and timber。 Thus we Britons cannot fail once more to crush the
German manufactories。 But the question cannot wait。 Every year the
manufacturing interests are gaining greater influence in the German
Union； and if you delay； then your corn…law abolition will come too
late。 It will not be long before the balance will turn。 Very soon
the German manufactories will create such a great demand for
agricultural produce that Germany will have no more surplus corn to
sell to foreign countries。 What concessions； then； are you willing
to offer to the German Governments to induce them to lay hands on
their own manufactories in order to hinder them from spinning
cotton for themselves； and from encroaching upon your foreign
markets in addition？
All this the writer of the report was compelled to make clear
to the landowners in Parliament。 The forms of the British State
administration permit no secret Government reports。 Dr Bowring's
report must be published； must therefore be seen by the Germans in
translations and extracts。 Hence one must use no expressions which
might lead the Germans to a perception of their true interests。
Therefore to every method which was adapted to influence
Parliament； an antidote must be added for the use of the German
Governments。 It must be alleged； that in consequence of the
protective system much German capital had been diverted into
improper channels。 The agricultural interests of Germany would be
damaged by the protective system。 That interest for its part ought
only to turn its attention to foreign markets； agriculture was in
Germany by far the most important productive industry； for
three…fourths of the inhabitants of Germany were engaged in it。 It
was mere nonsense to talk about protection for the producers； the
manufacturing interest itself could only thrive under foreign
competition ： public opinion in Germany desired freedom of trade。
Intelligence in Germany was too universal for a desire for high
duties to be entertained。 The most enlightened men in the country
were in favour of a reduction of duties on common woollen and
cotton fabrics； in case the English duties on corn and timber were
reduced。
In short； in this report two entirely different voices speak；
which contradict one another like two opponents。 Which of the two
must be deemed the true one…that which speaks to the Parliament； or
that which speaks to the German Governments？ There is no difficulty
in deciding this point； for everything which Dr Bowring adduces in
order to induce Parliament to lower the import duties on grain and
timber is supported by statistical facts； calculations； and
evidence； while everything that he adduces to dissuade the German
Governments from the protective system is confined to mere
superficial assertions。
Let us consider in detail the arguments by which Dr Bowring
proves to the Parliament that in case a check is not put to the
progress of the German protective system in the way which he
pointed out； the German market for manufactured goods must become
irrecoverably lost to England。
The German people is remarkable； says Dr Bowring； for
temperance； thrift； industry； and intelligence； and enjoys a system
of universal education。 Excellent polytechnic schools diffuse
technical instruction throughout the entire country。
The art of design is especially much more cultivated there than
in England。 The great annual increase of its population； of its
head of cattle； and especially of sheep； proves what progress
agriculture there has achieved。 （The report makes no mention of the
improvement in the value of property； though that is an important
feature； nor of the increase in the value of produce。） The wages of
labour have risen thirty per cent in the manufacturing districts。
The country possesses a great amount of water power； as yet unused；
which is the cheapest of all motive powers。 Its mining industry is
everywhere flourishing； more than at any previous time。 From 1832
up to 1837 the imports of raw cotton have increased from 118；000
centners to 240；000 centners； the imports of cotton yarn from
172；000 centners to 322；000 centners； the exports of cotton fabrics
from 26；000 centners to 75；000 centners； the number of
cotton…weaving looms in Prussia from 22；000 in 1825 to 32；000 in
1834； the imports of raw wool from 99；000 centners to 195；000
centners； the exports of the same from 100；000 centners to 122；000
centners； the imports of woollen articles from 15；000 centners to
18；000 centners； the exports of the same from 49；000 centners to
69；000 centners。
The manufacture of linen cloths contends with difficulty
against the high duties in England； France； and Italy and has not
increased。 On the other hand； the imports of linen yarn have
increased from 30；000 centners in 1832 to 86；000 centners in 1835；
chiefly through the imports from England； which are still
increasing。 The consumption of indigo increased from 12；000
centners in 1831 to 24；000 centners in 1837； a striking proof of
the progress of German industry。 The exports of pottery have been
more than doubled from 1832 to 1836。 The imports of stoneware have
diminished from 5；000 centners to 2；000 centners； and the exports
of it increased from 4；000 centners to 18；000 centners。 The imports
of porcelain have diminished from 4；000 centners to 1；000 centners；
and the exports of it have increased from 700 centners to 4；000
centners。 The output of coal has increased from 6；000；000 Prussian
tons in 1832 to 9；000；000 in 1836。 In 1816 there were 8；000；000
sheep in Prussia； and in 1837； 15；000；000。
In Saxony in 1831 there were 14；000 stocking…weaving machines；
in 2836； 20；000。 From 1831 to 1837； the number of manufactories for
spinning woollen yarn and of spindles had increased in Saxony to
more than double their previous number。 Everywhere machine
manufactories had arisen； and many of these were in the most
flourishing condition。
In short； in all branches of industry； in proportion as they
have been protected； Germany has made enormous advances； especially
in woollen and cotton goods for common use； the importation of
which from England had entirely ceased。 At the same time Dr Bowring
admits； in consequence of a trustworthy opinion which had been
expressed to him； 'that the price of the Prussian stuffs was
decidedly lower than that of the English； that certainly in respect
of some of the colours they were inferior to the best English
tints； but that others were perfect and could not be surpassed；
that in spinning； weaving； and all preparatory processes； the
German goods were fully equal to the British； but