The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-02-18
CONSOLING THE CANADIANS
Erastus Wiman Endeayors to Assuage
Their Grief Over the Fishery Treaty,
Store in the Way of Railway Transports
tion-0ther Items of Washington News.
THE FISHERY TREATY.

Erastus Wiman En- d av0rs q Console the Ag.
grieved Canadians.
WASHINGTON, Feb. fin response to q re-
quest for information upon the fisheries treaty
and kindred subjects, Mr. Erastus Wiman has
written the following letter
WAsHINGTos, Feb IT.
To the Editor of the Mall. Toronto:
In your inquiry, beg to that the pro-
posed fishery treaty far its contents are KNOWN
is my opinion the best settlement of ugly quar-
rel that could be arrived at under the crcums
While first glance it tight be urged that the IN
OF Canada had been sacrificed it will be found
The rigid enforcement of harsh inte rpretaton of the
treaty of 1918 had produced nothing but retaliation
The provisions of the new treaty, so far under
stood here in Washington all tend to increase inter-
ment of serious and dangerous difference that was
steadily separating them and threatening their peace
well afford to yield all she will be called upon yield
This Is especially tbs when it is understood that
this settlement will enormously improve the prospects
of commercial union with the United States. Hith-
of the chief obstacles encountered to dis
cusson of closer commercial relations between the
countries has been the attitude of Canadians de-
nying privileges to American craft and American peo-
pie afforded to Canadian vessels and crews In ADerl
can ports. So long as the fishery question un-
settled and possible threat was implied OF forcing
just SO long was the policy of positive barrier
to favorable consideIat ion The Americans are not
the kind people that driven into arrangements of
this character; they may be won and persuaded. but
Canadian cruisers did more to postpone RECIPROCITY
than to promote it. -
Advocates of commercial union have encountered
this sentiment at every turn and its existence had
significant expression in the last clause of the But
terworth bill, added since last session Now, no W.
ever that there is prospect that by the treaty this
fishery question is be settled, and the Canadians
about to afford the people of the United States
almost the privileges they themselves enjoy,
this barrier favorable discussion of commercial
union is removed.
The next most vexed question be adjusted is the
conflict impending between the great railway
systems of the two countries The success OF the
$500 route nensifies the fact that the Canadian
roads free from the exactions of the Interstate
act, and this freedom enormous loss
of profit every other railroad in the United States
which is carrying produce from the West the East
and merchandise from the East to the
West This condition of things seriously threatens
the repeal of the bonding system, by which American
produce is convey ed through Canadian territory with
out payment of duty its entrance into the United
States. This repeal would mean simply ruin to Cana
dian roads, as without through business, they could
not pay their fixed charges. It has been suggested
that Mr.. Butterworth might, with proprety, omit the
clause referring to the fisheries. likely to be set
tied by the treaty, and substitute another clause
which would invite concurrent legislation the part
to the operation of the interstate act this far
it affects through traffic in which alone the United
States is interested. This movement would secure
the suppors of the railroad interests threatened
in the United States and it would also the ad
vccacy of the movement by the English owners OF
Canadian railroad securities whose interests at
this moment seriously imperied. Faithfully yours,
ERAsTUs WIMAN.
Mr.. Wyman will address the Commercial
Club OF Chicago upon the subject OF "Com-
mercial Union" the evening Of Feb. %.