Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1888-04-06
DESCENDING THE POLE.
COMMONS CONCESSIONS TO
THE UNITED STATES.

S1oOt ~
THE UNITED STATES.
Recognition of the Retalintory Measures,
and a Prompt announcement of Cana
da's Intention to Honor the Reciprocity
Agreement-The Back-Down.
OTTAWA, Ont, April SIN the house
Of commons, in answer to Sir Richard
Cartwright, who inquired into the gov
ernment's policy concerning the retalia-
tion bill now before the United States
congress, Sir Charles Topper, minister of
finance, said that this bill had been In
troduced under the mistaken impression
that the Canadian government was un-
willing to carry out the arrangement
understood to exist concerning the free
exchange of natural products, but the
government having received official init
nation from Washington that certain
article, of natural produce had been put
on the free list, an order in council had
been passed providing for a like action
on the part of Canada, and a proclama-
ton to this effect would appear in the
next Official Gazette. The alleged back
down is creating a lot of excitement in
official circles here. 1t was made, it is
stated, as the result of a remonstrance to
the imperial government through thu
R2itish minister at Washington against
he unfriendly course of the Canadian.
government in refusing to abide by their
statutory pledges to admit free into
Canada such articles of natural produce
as have been placed on the American
free list. Notwithstanding the attitude
of Sir John Macdonald, on Wednesday
last, when Hon Peter Mitchell directed
attention to their breach of faith, and
their propositions that they would never
be coerced into admitting certain natural
products, free of duty through threats
of retaliation, the government has been
compelled to go back on its utterances.
The Interpretation, based upon the stand
ing offer clause by the minister Of Gus
TOM and the minister of Justice, has been
~reprdiated by their colleagues. The
Montreal Gazette, the organ of the gov
eminent, went so far as to editorially
%denounce the Americans as ssdema-
gogues," end charges the Liberals with
seeking to promote the interests of the
United States at the expense of Canada.
The opposition will bring the matter up
In the house of commons this week.
The Cause of Canada's Breakdown.
WASHINGTON, April 5-The action of
Congressman Baker and Flood in
promptly calling for retaliatory legisla-
ton toward Canada for the failure of the
governor to proclaim the freedom from
duty of certain American imports, has
already had It's effect. The movement
was brought about by the nurserymen of
this country yho complained of the fail
ure of the Dominion government to re-
move the duties upon fruit trees and
nursery stock. Mr.. Baker received a
letter from Assistant Secretary Of State
Rives, in which he says:
II have received some confidential com
mnnications from Canada in regard to.
the question of the free admission Of
nursery stock, green fruit, etc, into the
dominion, which / will be glad to show
You ii you will call here at your conyen-
fence. The latest reports indicate good
prospects of the omission of the duties on
these articles Later Mr.. Baker re-
ceived a telegram from Il. w. Hotchkiss,
consulate at Ottawa, which said: fCon-
tention surrendered. Flood medicine
operated. Nursery stock will be pro-
claimed free.f This seems to settle the
controversy for the present, and it is not
likely that the Baker resolution or the
Flood bill will be passed. The..object Of the
measures was to compel the Canadian
government to comply with the terms of
the Canadian act Of parliament, and to
extend reciprocity towards American
shippers. q.