The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-06-05
CANADA AND RECIPROCITY.

OTTAWA. Ont, June 1.-The first Install
roent of the papers dealing with the Wash
ington reciprocity negotiations have been
laid before the Dominion parliament. IN
bringing down the papers Sir John
Thomson explained that he could not
bring down everything. as he had not re-
ceived permission, but he expects to make
the remaining documents public within
few days. The documents presented IN
clude the protest of the Canadiad govern
ment against the projected United States
treaty with Newfoundland.
The papers show that Sir Charles Iup-
per. under instructions from Sir John
Macdonald. entered an objection TO the
convention on the ground that it would be
Injurious to Canada, and would violate
the imperial policy Of considering the
Atlantic fisheries as a whole. The result
of the protest was the postponement or
the Newfoundland treaty and an endeavor
to make n bargain for Canada Mr..
Blaine's letters in this connection are not
made public.
The documents also deal with the mis-
sions to Washington last April. Sir Julian
Pauncefote March 26 inquired of Secre-
tary Blaine when would be a convenient
time for the Canadian delegates to come
TO Washington. Mr.: Blaine's reply is not
given. A letter by Mr.. Blaine. dated
April 6. fixed October - as the date for
resuming the postponed negotiations.
The most important communications
are the reports of Sir Charles Tupper OF
his first interview with Mr.. Blaine. He
called upon Mr. Blaine, in company with
Sir Julian PaUncefote. In Sir Charles
description of the interview occurs the
following passage: L told hr: blame
that / wished to remove the idea, If he en-
tortained it. which had been promulgated
in Canada and the United States, that the
present government of the dominion was
not warmly in favor of the most
friendly relations with the Unit
ed States. In an article which
| had recently sent, over my OVID
signature, to the North American Review,
had undertaken to give conclusive evil
dence on this point, and that l need fur
ther only refer him to the fact that when
Sir John Macdonald, who was one of her
majesty's high commissioners, submitted
TO parliament for approval the Alabama
treaty, which settled all then pending
questions between Canada and the United
States, he was tiercely denounced
by the leaders and press of the
Liberal party for having basely sacrificed
the interests of Canada in his endeavor to
promote friendly relations between the
United States and Canada. Mr.. Blaine
desired to assure me that, outside an in
dividual difference of opinion, there was
no interest taken by the members of the
Canadian election, and that they had taken
no action or part to influence the result of
the election
Continuing, said that Canada was
most anxious to have the freest and most
friendly relations with the United States
said it was difficult to see why the treaty
of 1854 should have been abrogated, as the
statistics OF both countries proved that,
although there was great expansion of
trade between the United States
and Canada, more advantage had
accrued TO the United States than
to Canada under the treaty. Mr..
Blaine said that that treaty was not abro-
gated on commercial grounds, but in con
sequence of a feeling that Canada had
sympathized with the southern states in
their conflict. l replied that it was diff
cult to see upon what basis that opinion
could be entertained; that it was admitted
that no less than 10000 Canadians
fought in the northern army to maintain
the union of the United States, while
! did not suppose forty had been found on
the other side Mr.. Blaine admitted that,
but he supposed that very large bounty
had had a good deal of influence in the
matter. | then said that the unhappy
conflict had taken place previous to the
confederation of Canada, but could speak |
with some accuracy of the province of
Nova Scotia, with which was then con-
nected, that the legislature of Nova
Scotia had passed a resolution
deploring the war. and that one of the |
sharpest international questions arose, as
he would remember, in connection with |
the Chesapeake incident in the,harbor of |
Halifax; that IL was my duty as, premier |
of the province to advise the lieutenant |
governor, who was also commander-in- !
chief, as to what course the government |
of Nova Scotia should pursue, and that |
hor sy,fT I'd
an autograph letter thanking him for the |
action of the government of Nova Scotia |
on that question
Il had only to repeat that Sir John Mac |
donald and his party had the strongest |
desire to promote reciprocal trade between |
the two countries, and that their hopes in
that direction were greatly strengthened |
by the decided measures which Mr. |
Blaine had taken to promote reciprocal |
trade with other countries, and that
could not see why he could
not, with great advantage to the
United States as well as Canada.
extend to the north the same policy he had
pursued with countries south, whose
trade was very much smaller than that be-
tween the Dominion and the United States
l said that the fact that he had expressed
his readiness TO receive the representations
that Canada wished to make would show
that he was Quite open 10 consider that
question.
Some questisn then arose between Sir
Julian Pauncefote and Mr Blaine as to
the Bond negotiations. Sir Julian ex-
planned that Mr. Bond had no authority
10 negotiate in anv other way than
through him, and that Mr.. Bonds last
were entirely irregular and
without authority. Mr. Blaine said it
did not appear necessary to negotiate any
treaty with Newfoundland, as that colony
bad expressed its readiness to give the
United States the privileges they enjoyed
by their own action, ana they proposed |
not only TO give bait to United States fish
ermen, but TO refuse 10 give the same priv
ile2e 10 Canada. l told Mr. Blaine THAI
the bait act in Newfoundland had received
-he assent of her majesty upon the distinct
pledge OF Sir Ambrose Shea. then premier
Of Newfoundland. that Canadian vessels
would not be affected by il. Then I ex-
planned that the courts OF Newfoundland
bad declared that the action taken under
hat act was not legal ! added that her
majesty had power To disaliow any bill
hat might be passed upon The subject by
-he colony"
The remainder of the report details how
were made Tor a conference
10 continue the consideration of these
questions between the minister Of justice
and the minister Of finance and when Mr.
Blaine could receive them. Monday, the
9Th, was decided upon
Following this is a report by Sir Charles
lupper OF his correspondence afterwards
With Mr.. Blaine. who informed him that
le tBlalne), after consultation with Presi-
lent Harrison, might have to change the
late liked FOR the conference, and that be
would hX definite date later. SIR Charles
says he received no notice of the change of
late, and implied that the previ-
11s arrangement stood He Sir ;
John Thompson and Mr.. Foster went TO
Washington, and, arriving there, was in
formed by Sir Julian Psuncefote that he
had been unable 10 catch him (fupper) by