The New York herald., 1871-03-01

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lieye, but know that the majority are
OPPOSED TO A SEVERANCE
OF their connection with the mother country. Re-
garding Canada. or the New Dominion as a whole.
] cannot anywhere find the people favorable to an
nexation 10 tue United States. And, indeed. why
REpoRTER-A pleotsctt.m would determine that
ISSUE But passing that, you wil OF course, oppose
any attempt OF the English Commissioners to sell
you out IN satisfaction Tor our Alabama claimss
Sir JOHN-0f course l shall be guided by the
voice OF the English Commissioners. Lord De Grey
THE POLICY TO BE PURSUED.
REPORTER-But Notwithstanding the fact that you
will be only cipher, anu tnat Canada may scarcely
attain the distinction OF being mentioned incidcn-
tally, you will have some rights that you VIII want
somebody TO respectY
that the fishery question may come up. You are
familiar with that Wen, Canada Will insist on the
rights she always exercised. The Americans will
NOT allow our nshermen GO fish In their waters ana
Tor the matter OF that, Connecticut will not permit
Massachusetts 10 encroach upon her In tat particu-
lar. Then, why should we allow
TIE GLOUCESrER MEN
to invade our bays and harhors and draw Oh our
fish without due return Why, SIR the claims OF
your fishermen LII this regard are prep0sterous. 70
say the least,
REpoRrER-How would 1t do If you would aban-
don your fishery rights 70 gain the blessings which
renewal Of the Reciprocity treaty would brngy
sir JoHN-That is how 1t was beore but we were
sold on reciprocity You had the substance and we
had the shadow OF the benefits resulting from the
treaty.
on. WE WE'RE NICELY ovERREAoHED.
all our canals whlle We were refused pcrnis
sion to use yours. How was thats Ia this
way way The treaty was between Great Britain
therefore British, ana you could use them under
the treaty. Not SO, however, when our boats trieu
10 navigate your waters. We found to Our dlsmay
that the New York canal was not United states
canal, and we mad to turn away. IL was nice
polnt in the American game OF euchre.
REPoRTEf--rnen you would not care to have the
treaty reaewedl
sir JonN-I win not say that. When the United
States proper to renew the treaty they can do
SO; hey will 40 1t, II they do 1t AT ALL i0r the IN
terests oil the States. For myself believe that
there should be the most intimate relations between
the two countries, commercially and otherwise, and
tnat all existing
DIrrERENoEs SHOULD DE DISPOSED OF.
This, too, Is the opinion or the majority Of our
people.
REPoRrER-But IL is understood that you intend
TO ask tor an indemnity lor the Fenian lnvasl0ns.
to lead to IN amlcabie arrangement between the
United States and you
sir JoHN-Tnlt is matter do not wish to speak
OF just now. 1t may or may not be brought up for
discussion before the Commission.
LORD DE GREY WILL INDICATE THE COURSE
to be pursued part; and course, the Amerl-
can portion Of the Commission Will give tone to
the wnoe discussion.
REPORrEB- you have doubtless made up your
mind as to what you Will do IN matters touching the
interests Of Canada that Will come before the CON-
mlsslOnS
course In respect 10 the fenlan outfages Will be
recommended by Lord De Grey Ii not Tor me to say.
j QOu KNOW Wudt Will DC uOIle, unu ii Olu KNOW
II would not be proper Tor me to diyuge any con-
Hdence repOsed In me.
Notwithstanding to the subject OF annexa-
ton, Sir John. You SAID that Canada must either
maintain ls connection vita the mother country or
be absorbed by the United States. in the event of
the latter what would you 10 with the large class OF
non-producng ana lazy English ofiice-hoders it Is
said you are compelled To MAINTAIN In Canada2
sir JOHN-We nave no such class IN Canada AS
q matter Of lact EngllShmen nnd less favor Wltl us
than they do here with you; aud perhaps they get
on better here than with u.s. All the Offices In the
Dominion are filed by Canadians. The impecuniOus
YOUNGER SONS OF GOOD FAMILIES
that you referred to have TO work for their living or
leave and they generally leave for the states. fhe
Governor General cannot appoint tlde-waiter; his
adv lsers assume the responsibility for him. Men,
bers Oh Parliament have 10 look after the interests
OF their constituents in the matter of public oces
just as your members OF Congress have to do. Can
ada Is tor the Canadians In tnat respect ana ndeeu
in all other respects. In the event OF annexation
yours. i suppose that matters would adjust them
selves to suit all parties; but for the present
CANADA DOES NOT WANT THE EXPERIMENT
tried, and will not favorably regard any attempt to
force her into acquiescence With that policy.
REPoRTER-You expect, l suppose, TO be able to
commence the Investigation OF the Alabama claims
at onceY
Sir JoHN-I leave for Washington tonight and
expect that sir Stafford N0rtncote VIII arrive by the
Russia tomorrow. But whether the Alabama claims
Will lirst engage the attention. OF the Eigh Comms
sion when 1t assemblies for business Is more than
can say.
KEPoRTER-Ju dying from what you have already
said, SIR, suppose that you have formed no opinion
as TO the result oil the labors oI the ComlSSon put
what do you think?
Sir IoHN-As you say am not In a position to
express an opinion whether the iab0rs OF the Com
mission will result IN
SETTLEMENT OF EXISTING DIFFERENCES
oresting oeplorapIe feeling OF hostility between
the peoples. can only hope, as all good men VIII
hope That such an arrangement Will be effected that
all the parties concerned will bc satisfied, that
the danger OF rupture Of friendly relations he.
tween England and the United States Will have
passed away forever.
air John Macdonald satd that no waa M
stranger in New York, having been here on many
previous occasions. Our reporter took his leave
greatly pleased with the interview, and quite I'm.
pressed with the straightforward and mattelOf-fact
manner OI Canada'S Commissioner.