The Sun.
London, England, 1866-05-19 00:00:00

HE LATEST EDITION of " THE SUN: because the former claims on behalf of Prussia the
EAegent; 21
supplie,d, as soon as published every v g y
. ALEXAN,DER (late BROOKS), Newspaper ,
Jir military and diplomatic representation of the whole
_
Old Cavendish -street, Oxford-street. i of " Northern Germany." Unless the wily Minister

QPORTING'•--JOHN ROBERTS sUpplies' the
...- 1 LATEST R DITION ot " TIIN: SUN" as soon as pub-
lished.-4, Bath-st.reet, City-road, E.C.

of Berlin prove himself far more moderate in his
demands at the Congress, we do not see much use
in the representatives of the great Powers wasting
their time in assembling at Paris, and expending
their energies in discussing the vexed question of
German politics.

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A question of considerable importance was last
night brought under the notice of the House of Com-
mons by Mr. WATKIN, although it is one which
only indirectly affects this country. The termina-
tion of the Reciprocity Treaty between the United
States and Canada has been a matter of sincere re-
gret to calm, judging, and practical men on both sides
of the Atlantic. At the same time Mr. WATKIN'S
strictures on the conduct of our Government in
neglecting to obtain a renewal of the treaty were
not altogether deserved, since there is little
reason to suppose that any efforts on their
part would have succeeded in renewing it.
It was not, in fact, a case for any Government
to settle, neither that of Washington nor of this
country, nor of any of the colonies. The notice of
termination was given, as Mr. SEWARD recently ex-
plained to our Minister, not by the American Go-
vernment, but by the Congress, and no one needs
to be informed that the two are by no means
identical. Mr. SEWARD signed the notice of termi-
nation, not as the Secretary of State, but as the
organ of the Congress, and the Congress at that
time was even more turbulent, more headstrong,
and more rash than it is at present. A strong
feeling of irritation existed against England,
and there was a general though unexpressed desire
to do something which should mortify or injure the
English and the Canadians. It seemed like an as-
sertion of their own rights to terminate the treaty,
to cut off all friendly communication, and per-
haps some thought it paved the way for an open rup-
ture by bringing up the old dispute about the fishe-
ries. Such angry politicians did not pause to consider
the extent of the injury which they might be in-
flicting upon American commerce, although the
merchants and traders, more especially those in the
border towns, did not fail to perceive it. The great
convention held at Detroit after the notice had been
given was attended by five hundred American
delegates and fifty delegates from the British pro-
vinces, and a resolution in favour of the treaty was
carried by them. The Chambers of Commerce at
New York, Chicago, and Miiwaukie also passed
resolutions in favour of the treaty, and it is not sur-
prising that they should have made such efforts.
Few persons in this country, not directly concerned
in the products of those parts, are aware of the vast
extent of the commerce carried on across the border.
Mr. How, whose name is well known in colonial
politics, made a very able speech at the great meet-
ing at Detroit, in which he gave a statistical
return of the imports and exports. Mr. LAYARD,
in his answer to Mr. WATKIN last night, quoted
largely from this speech, which he said had produced
a great effect on the convention. It seems from the
statistics given by Mr. How that the total trade
between the States and the British provinces in 1827
was only $3,245,000. In 1849 it had risen to
$6,000,000. Ifi 1854 the imports into Canada were
$15,583,000, and the exports
.into the States
$8,649,000. In 1863 the imports were $23,000,000
and the exports $22,584,000, showing, as Mr.
LAYARD observed, an increase of trade not to be
equalled in the commercial relations between any
two countries in the world. Mr. How in his speech
at Detroit, after enlarging on these figures, said,with
truth, that the results of the treaty had surpassed
all expectations; it had led to a trade of 456,350,391
dollars in about nine years, and if there was any
value in the balance of trade, it had been in favour
of the United States to the amount of 55,951,145
dollars. In fact, as continual experience proves

the value of a trade keeps pace with the lightening
of the burdens and the removal of the restrictions ;
and those provinces, whether American or British,

are so rich in natural resources that a very little
encouragement stimulates commerce to a wonderful
extent. It is not likely that any Government would
underrate the value and importance of a trade like
this ; and if any additional reason were needed to
make them sensible of its advantages, there is the
vexed question of the fisheries, which was reopened
by the termination of the treaty. For forty years
difficulties were constantly arising, difficulties which
it needed a watchful exercise of prudence and for-
bearance on the part of the authorities on both
sides to deal with, since a little haste or misunder-
standing might often have led to serious em-

broilments, perhaps even to the outbreak o.

Ever since the conclusion of the treaty;

however, eleven years since, ' everything has
gone smoothly, and it is no wonder that the
Governments on both sides view with dismay
the prospect of the resuscitation of all the old per-

plexities. The blame, as we have said, rests with
Congress; and this is so far satisfactory, inasmuch

as the present Congress entirely fails to represent
the actual feeling and opinions of American people.

The Government of the United States is perfectly

ready and willing to enter upon negotiations re-

specting a renewal of the Treaty, and we cannot

but believe that the good sense' of the American

people will, before long, induce them to propose it.

It will be quite as well, perhaps, that there should

be an interregnum, in order that the Americans may

learn fully to appreciate the advantages which they

derive from the treaty. They are too shrewd
to be willing to gratify petty spite at the expense of

actual interests, and they will very soon find out

how great is the loss to which they have wilfully

exposed their traders. Mr. OLIPHANT, who was
Secretary to Lord ELGIN at the time the treaty was

made, gave some curious information on the subject.
For himself he did not especially regret the termi-

nation of the treaty,. on the ground, not very wel-

come to the Americans, that Canada would not suf-

fer, since America must have her goods. The prin-
cipal exports from Canada to the States were, he
said, lumber, wool, grain, fish, and cattle. Lum-

ber the Americans must have, and whatever

duty they levied on it would only increase

the cost of their houses.

Grain was also

an important item, because by a curious coinci-
dence the favourite American drink is barley
whisky, while that of the Canadians is made from
Indian corn. On the other hand, the corn-grow-

ing provinces of the Western States need the

outlet through Canada to the sea, the Illinois
Commissioners stating that one million tons of

grain pass annually through Canada which would

not otherwise pass. As Mr. OLIPHANT justly ob-
served, it is impossible for the American Govern-

meat or the American people to gratify any tem-

porary feeling at such an enormous cost. But, in
truth, we may reasonably hope that the feeling
which originated the notice has already sub-

sided.

The American Government has shown

all possible willingness to prevent a collision at the

fisheries, and precaution is now doubly necessary

on account of the Fenians and their mischievous

agents, who would like nothing better than to em-
broil the two countries. The presence of American

ships of war at the fisheries, so far from being
likely t 6 provoke hostilities, is calculated to preserve
peace, and it wag with this intention that they wero