New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-10-25
COMMENTS AND OPINIONS.
NEGOTIATIONS WITH CANADA!
so LONG AS THE DOMINION IS A BRITISH DE-
TENDENCY, THE QUEEN MUST MAKE
TO ne Edftor of The Trfbuns.

TO ne Edftor Of The Tribune.
Or; In your issue Of yesterday IN an editorial on
The veto OF the Weldon Act you say that surrender
OF fugitive criminal under the Weldon Act would
necessarily involve previous demand for his extrad
u0n, and tho American authorities in making such an
appeal would be placed in the attitude OF giving
preference to Canadian legislation and overriding In
'erfaronal engagements with Great Britain.
While no question of mutual concession be raised
under that act the United states cannot receive sur
rendered ugitves from Canada under its provisions
Without cooperating with dependent State in dscred
Ing the supreme treaty making power Of the Imperial
Government
No man viii question the soundness of the position
You have taken 1t is highly honorable in It's conception
OF our duty TO England long at peace with
her. This Government cannot deal in any way directly
with the Government Of Canada long Canada Is an
sppanage of the British Crown without extensively
violating treaty obligations with friendly Power.
your position that cannot receive a criminal
under the Weldon EXraditlon Act If rendered by
canada without dscredtng tho Imperial Government
Is st stronger statement of the case and one that
cannot be wisely questioned. What Shall be- said then
of the proposition made in Congress- expressed in
The following resolution
BE il resolved. That whenever it shall be duly
certified 10 the President of the United states that the
Government Of the Dominion OF Canada has declared
y desire 10 establish commercial union with the United
states having uniform revenue system, like Internal
imposed on articles brought into either country from
other nations, and no duties upon trade between the
1hHed Staes and Canada he shall appoint three
commissioners 70 meet those who may be likewise desig
mated 70 represent the Government OF Canada, to
prepare plan for the assimilation OF the import duties
ana internal revenue taxes of the two countries and
an equitable division Of receipts. in a commeria
union; tho said Commissioners shan report to The
President, who shall lay tho report before Congress.
II we cannot receive a criminal rendered to us by
the Canadian Government without discredtting the
Imperial authority, how can we propose and enter
into negotiations with the Government OF Canada to
transfer Englands trade with of her dependencies
to ourselves For the proposition in the resolution
practically stated is the exclusion of England from the
markets of Canada. not by honorable treaty with
the Imperial Government but by negotiating directly
with Of IT'S dependencies. II is perfectly right and
proper for the people OF Canada to discuss their
commercial and political relations with this or any other
country, and We have the same right and privilege.
IL IS quito another thing for Congress to formulate aud
approve the resolution above quoted. We cannot
wisely do anything 10 give England just for Of
fence No discreet friend Of this country of Canada
viii propose such policy. Zeal directed by wisdom
IS praiseworthy. but otherwise may be a dangerous
force. We can always well afford TO
be Just and recognize our solemn treaty
obligations to a Nation with whom we al
peace We steadily increasing trade with
Canada. while that Of England is decreasing Prices
of leading manufactures decreasing while the
shall have secured the greater part of the iron and steel
trade of Canada without any change I'm our fiscal
policy and shall have gained largely In other lines
Why should give England just csnse OF offence
10 gain prematurely trade which we are certain 10
secure in the future upon much more honorable
permanent and sat factory basis. The enactment Of
the Weldon Exradlton Law by the Government Of
Canada the exercise of greater powers than il IS
safe for a parent State tO delegate To dependency,
for whose action she is responsible TO other nations
The power to make treaty with this country OF the
proposed in the resolution quoted above IS Of
the nature aud in addition includes the power
make treaty with foreign state clearly detri-
mental Imperial interests. IL England has dis
allowed the former, why attempt the latter!
4 resolution proposed in the Canadian Parlia-
ment by the Liberal party at its last session In favor
OF unrestricted reciprocity between Canada and the
United States, not by treaty, but by the concurrent
action OF the Canadian Parliament and Congress- both
Legislatures enactng the same tariff against other
nations. and the Internal revenue system, with
free trade between Canada and this country. II was
a proposition made By the Liberal opposition to obtain,
by act OF Parliament. that which can only be
power which is vested solely In the Imperial Govern
would be promptly dlsallOwrd by England. There is
by Sir John Macdonald, viz to remain as dependency.
left to make her choice. Certainly no interior
the exercise Of their legislative functions long as
our relations with England are friendly.
FRANCS WAYLAND GLEN.
d. nAN