New-York tribune., 1889-12-31
THE FUTURE OF CANADA.
ANNEXATION OR COMMERCIAL UNIoNa
TESTIMONY BY ERAsTUs wIMAN, FRANCIS \
THURBER AND OTHERS BEFORE THE


SENATE COMMITTEE.
The United States senate Committee on Relations
with Canada, which has been taking testimony on .he
subIect during the summer, visiting cues as iar
west as Seattle and as far east as Boston, began its
sessions in this city, in Room No. A. Posoihce Buld
ing az 10 O'Clock yesterday morning The members
Of the committee present Messrs. Hoar, OF hass@
chusetts chairman Hale, OF Maine; Pug1 OF AlaDsme'
and Dolph, OF Oregon. accompanied by cierh'
stenographer and a sergeantst arms
The first witness called was Captain Ftz }. baDson'
of Gloucester Mass, president Of the Nationai fsh
cries Association. Captain Bsbson, under direcuon
of the Government, had made an EXTENDED ana
minute study of this counrys relations with Cahsos
respecting fishing rights and privileges He asserted thas
American fishing vessels ought to have equal com-
mercial rights with other vessels
Mr. Hoar said: 81 do not understand that tns
British Government opposed TO our vessels enjoying
such rights. but that the Canadian authorities arc
responsible for a harsh Interpretation OF Dominion
laws
Mr. Pueh said that British Ministers denied ev0
having taken any such view Of the matter.
Captain Babson referring 10 the coast ngh's Gaino1
bv the treaty of ISIS said they practically OK
no value now as the American fishermen han no "So
for the insh0re fisheries. What they wahteo "ss
legislation on the ground of American nshts' an.
they would rather stand under the general law OK
nations than be subjected to the present interpreta-
ton Of the treaty Of 1918 In reply 10 quesuoh ~
Mr. Hale he said that the practical grievance To-Day
is the denial TO the NeW-Ensish" n'hei
men OF commercial rights IN u'e Por"
of British North America. BY commercial rlghos ~
meant the right to buy and sell In Canadian ports.
The right OF land transshpmcnt he regarded as Oh
minor consideration. further grievance was the
unreasonable and onerous enforcement OF the CANADIAN
laws Captain Babson's remedy for present con-
ditions would be retaliation act that should impose
on British vessels every burden TO which American
vessels now subjected
Mr. Hale asked What would DC the enect W
such retaliation"
Il think it would cause the Canadians to give uB
their unjust claims" was the answer.
Mr. Hale" Would you advise the abolition OF duties
on Canadian fish -
The duties should be kept up by all means'
The next witness Erastus Wiman, who said that
his knowledge of the fishery question was slight but
that as a native Canadian business man In this
country since 1864, and one having an Intimate
acquaintance with and deep interest in the subject
lie felt competent to speak upon the general subIecs
Canadian relations. Ills remarks were In elect AZ
follows:
The present relations between Canada and the
United States are very unsatisfactory. The fishery
question Is in such shape 10 make possible serious
difficulties during the coming fishing season. and the
conditions the Pacific equally unfortunate.
The transportation problem is most serious, American
capital beng imperllied by the Canadian roads not
being subject the operations Of the Interstate Com
merce act. should the provision for shipping goods
in bond be abolished, the damage would be great es-
East Tor cheap transportation. The whole trend OK
the Macdonald Government Is against better relations
with the United states. This Government Is based
a purely protective policy, and At IS the Macdonald
Administration which is responsible for the harsh IN
terpretations of the fishery laws. Moreover, the
Tory Government is ultra loyal and fond Of the
British connection.
however, | am confident that the majority OF the
Canadian people are more in favor OF closer relations
with TINS country than ever before The rural pop
ulaton very much concerned 10 find market for
their products in this country Other classes inter-
ested the miners, the fishermen, the lumoermen
and the shipping class
Mr. Hoar-" What would be the effect Of politics.
or commercial union on Canadian property
1t would advance its value fully hundred fold.'
said Mr.. Wiman, who continued as follows
This matter OF commercial union is being con-
sidered TO very great extent. There IS some senti-
ment in favor OF annexation, but political union is
generally regarded as lmpractlca6le owing 10 thc
OF the Conservatye party and Canadian cana ,
myself believe that annexation would be bad thing
iof either country but think Il something Oh sncn
remote possibility as 10 make It's consideration Idle
at the present time. Reciprocity or commercial
union would probably hasten the motemenS m lo 'qwa M
the barriers between the two countries broken down,
from all foreign countries. think Canada is ready
now to enter into such an arrangement
In the course of Mr.. Wiman's remarks, Chairman
Hoar took occasion TO say that the unanimous opinion
union must come from Canada, and that no one in
the United States thought OF political annexation n.y..
force. -
Francis b. Thurber. the wellknown Wholesale
grocer, was the next witness. lie exports goods 70
[ anada and the substance of his testimony was tho
expression of q belief that the Canadian tarln was
barrier to the American merchant.
Thomas l.. Greene. OF this city. expert railroad
accountant and the editor Of a railroad publication.
thought the only really practical question now was
the relief of American rallrOadx competing Win
lines the operation OF the long and
shOrthaul clause of the railroad law. senator Pugn
declared that the clause had never been enforced =
under the circumstance stated by the witness Ouer
members OF the committee lndorsed senator fuehs
statement. -. -. A..
Francis Wayland Glenn formerly member OF the
Canadian Parliament for nine years, was the neAt
and last witness for the day. Ills testimony IN eneoe
va, that the Canadian people a. whOlc are anAloos
for annexation that many prominent men arc asoMeu
.rne XatiOnsts, and that many Others dre "eli A"H
10 be such. Annexation was III the Cdhauldh ar
and was bound come In time. In his OPINION. thc
only thing for the nlted states 10 10 was 70 uo
nothing but wait for the inevitable lie ula lOt
favor oneuing American markets 10 the Canadian
producer and was firmly opposed TO Mr' Mlhan
scheme OF commercial union, whch was, nc stlI'
ISIS with Canadian investments In mineral ana innDe
lands The closing Of American mafkets wouIo
hasten Canadian independence OF England Ara tne
notcol union of Canada and the United states would
Al A o'ciock the committee adjourned TO meet
todsv at 10 O'clock at the Hoffman House, where :,
the other meetings of the week VIII be hela. Inc
committee expects TO remain IN inc ClS ioi 'N'SS
days longer.
TROUT UBLES OF BUSINESS nEY.