Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1888-08-30
COMMENTS ON THE MESSAGE.
What b Thought of the Document by Con-
gressmen, Canadians, Engiishmen and

What Is Thought of the Document by Com
gressmen, Canadians, Engiishmen and
Fishermen.
WASHINGTON, Aug. a The Post prints
several interviews with Senators and Rep
resentatives upon the message. The
Democrats interviewed all warmly and
! unqualiiedly commend the message; the
Republicans are not generally disposed to
say much about it as yet saying that they
had not read it.
Senator Morgan said: THE message is
magnificent and powerful document. 1t
would be a terrible blow TO Canada if this
Government were to refuse her any longer
privilege of using our ports from New
York northward, practically as Canadian
ports, because the use of those ports, COM
bined with the extension of the Canadian
Pacific railroad system. shortens the Cana
dian travel to the sea by at least two or
three days"
Senator Frye said: ''It simply means
that President Cleveland wants to play the
baby act in regard to the Retaliation act
of March 8, 1887, just as he played the baby
act about the law which authorizes him to
buy United States bonds with surplus
revenue. Everybody knows how unwill-
ing he has been all along to accept that
Retaliation act and carry it out Loyalty,
and now he comes playing the baby act
again. He says be don't know what it
means, and wants to be told"
ENGLISH OPINION.
LONDON, Aug. 24.-The st. James Ga
zette, commenting on President Cleveland's
message to Congress, says: THE position
is awkward and unpleasant for both coun-
tries. The retaliation threatened is so
illogical and unreasonable that it is very
difficult to understand its precise cause
and meaning. Two plausible explana-
tions occur. 1t may have been
intended to influence votes or
merely to bluff Canada into granting the
American demands. There is no doubt
that the matter is serious one for Cana
da. Not merely local affairs are con-
cerned, but Imprrial interests are also in
volved. England must and will supply
proper safeguards for her Canadian inter-
ests. We must await the next step. 1t is
difficult to see that the matter will end
otherwise than in a perfectly friendly
manner"
The Globe says President Cleveland
makes a strong case against Canada and
surmises that Canada will doubtless be
able to show equally as good a case. If the
Canadians had rejected the treaty it
would be easy to see why Cleveland should
ask for retaliation. But it can not under
stand why Cleveland, generally a just
man, should punish Canadians for the act
of Americans. 1t asks if Mr.. Cleveland is
affected by the Irish vote.
The Pail Mall Gazette says it looks ugly.
The Star, T. P. O'Connor's paper says it
has no fear of war over the matter, but it
is of the opinion that serious friction is
certain to result.
OPINION AT OTTAWA.
OTTAWA, Ont, Aug. 24.-The announce
ment that the President ha6 recommended
legislation empowering the abolition of
the bonding system has caused much sur
prise, more surprise than excitement. The
clause calling for equal privileges is in
every way satisfactory. 1t is held here that
at present no discrimination exists in favor
of Canadian vessels. The rights accorded
Canadian vessels in the St Clair Flats
canal is treaty obligation, which it is
claimed can not be abrogated by legisla-
tion of either Nation. The Government
has already advertised for tenders and
made the necessary appropriation already
for a Canadian canal at Sault Ste. Marie
connecting Lakes Huron and Superior,
which will give connections to the ocean.
WHAT FISHERMEN THINK.
GLOUCESTER, Mass, Aug. A.-The Pres
ident's message was much commented on
by fishing vessel owners this morning. 1t
was the general opinion among business
men that no one here wanted retaliation
as outlined in the message. An embargo
placed on Canadian fish and the same
treatment as Americans receive would be
all that would be required to settle the
difficulty between the two countries. On
the other hand the men who man the ves-
sells are unanimous in their opinions that
what the President has proposed is just
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