New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-05-14
OUR NORTHERN NEIGHBOR

MIR. Nimmo's letter published on anotner
page contains information that is greatly
needed by Congress and the country. 1t treats
Of the relations of the Dominion Of Canada to
Great Britain and the United States and OF
various violations Of treaty law and coyenanted
reciprocity. Senator Frye late in January sent
to the Committee on Foreign Relations reso-
lutions of inquiry respecting these abuses, and
this letter virtually supplies the information
which was then called for. 1t also refers in
detail to the grievances which Representatives
Dipgley, Nutting and Baker have brought to
light in the House. Mr.. Nimmo is not only
master of the subject, bit also of his temper.
The relations Of the Dominion to the United
States are discussed with as much dignity as
intelligence, and his statements Of fact are not
vitiated by a single unfriendly expression or
the faintest reference to the subject OF annex
alton.
Some of the specific counts in the indictment
against Canada may be briefly mentioned. By
an order of council rebate Of eighteen cents
per ton has been allowed on the tolls on grain
passing through the Welland and st. Lawrence
canals, if shipment be made to Montreal. Inns
is q premium offered for the diversion OF
American commerce from American seaports
and TRANSPORTATION lines. This is an open in
fraction Of Article XXVII OF the Treaty OF
Washington, and should be met by the imme-
diate imposition Of tonnage tax ON all cana
dian vessels passing through the Sauit cue.
Marie Canal. In like manner the international
arrangements relating to the transit traae'
which is of immense value to Canadian corpora
lions, are violated in Manitoba, where the Do
minion Government refuses to allow gram 10
be shipped in bond over American railroads TO
Montreal For tive years Canada has faled 10
place on the free list various articles from
which duty was entirely taken oil in the United
States when the tariff was revised; and this
neglect Is in direct violation Of an act passed
By the Dominion Parliament in 1877 providing
fer reciprocity in this respect whenever the
Same articles should be admitted from Canada
without payment of duty. Other instances Of
bad faith are given in connection with brlet
summary of the denial Of commercial privileges
to American fishermen in Canadian harbors
The conclusion of the whole matter Is TINS +:
Canada has been allowed to impose upon the
forbearance and coed nature of the United
States. The restraints of international law and
the engagements of reciprocal compacts do not
interfere with sharp practice by which tempo
rary advantages may be secured for the COM
merce Of the Dominion. The ambitious de-
signs Of Canada have been pursued in a par
ticularly aggressive spirit since the present
Administration has been in power in Wash
ington. It's Government and railway corpora
tions have acted on the principle that any
favor that might be wanted would readily be
granted by the State and Treasury Depart
ments, and that no indignitios or outrages
offered to fishermen would be resented, and
that no commercial privileges withheld in VIC
lation of positive engagements would be de-
manded under menace Of retaliation. The
time is rapidly approaching when retaliation
| must be the answer to every act Of injustice
| and every infringement upon the principles OF
| international comfy. Canada, by perslStmg
in taking advantage of American tolerance and
magnanimity, must in the end exhaust the
patience of the powerful Nation which freely
and generously shares with it all the adyan-
tages of its geographical position