New-York tribune., 1891-02-07
THE TORY ISSUES IN CANADA.

Sir John Macdonald's statement to the con-
Sttuences of the issues upon which he is ask
ing them to pronounce judgment is made up
with a great show of particularly, and accom-
panied by Il memorandum intended to give 1t
an especial perinence at this time. remark
recently made 10y Mr.. Blaine to the British
Minister, who had informed him of Canada ;
objections to the proposed American Ncwfound-
land Reciprocity Treaty, that he was willing
to negotiate upon trade questions with Canada
asc. is construed by Sir John as an " "overturc"
10 him. ard he asks his people to approve the
proposals he intends to make. Mr.. BlaineS
remark. as the dulleSt person may easily see,
was rs far from being an overture rs a rebuff.
Ii was simply the expression Of willingness to
hear and consider whatever Canada might have
10 say In making it the excuse for his the
arrical performance, Sir John coniesscs that
what he wants, and all he wants, is to 90 be-
fore the electors with Il scheme that has the
appearance of promoting trade and under con-
ditions that imply its consideration by the
United States, hut with qualifications which
he knows we can never accept.
To put it plainly, Sir John Macdonald is en-
rqged in an effort TO make the Canadians be-
licye that he flvorS Reciprocity, when he does
nothing Of the kind that we have approached
him with an offer to treat, when we have done
nothing Of the kind, and that he has definite
plln for the extension of trade, whereas il is
really plan 10 render an extension of TRADE
impossible under circumstances which will
throw upon us the odium of being uncason-
able, and which will leave him in the choice
po>ition Of having done all he could TO meet us.
In making this kind OF an issue he d!1gS us
into Dominion politics, and forces us to eX-
press ourselves 10 the Canadian electors in
uneQuivocal terms II is far from the wish oi
the American people to do or say anything that
NAV affect the action of Canadians in their
own elections. Bur this is an election that
deals with our interests rs well Is Canada 5.
II is an election moreover, in which, 10 serve
% purpose tha; Is distinctly untrendly - us, as
well Is narrowly palt>an, We are being de-
hholatcly msrcp.c>cn'ed. The assertion l.
made that We arc willing 10 negotiate for some
thing that under 10 circumstances would we
lahc. in order that Sir John Macdonald may
claim jha, he has public mandate to refuse 10
give what We might take.
ElongaIing his programme rs much rs pos
,ible, sir John has put it under seven heads.
! I've OF lutil nave Ib I'lfNiH'! Nil'''' ''' W.
The situation. Concerning the protection o. the
fisheries the relaxation OF ecaboard and inland
r,l,ting laws. salvage and wreclung and the
Alaska boundary line, We are always ready t.
treat 80 far a there is anything that 70
,embleS point and purpose in the enumeration
# ISSUES, Il is in the two clauses dealing with
Reciprocity and Fishery Rights, and concern
ing tlc>c questions Sir John knows now. rs
we'll a, he ever can know if not what we will
agree 10. at least what we won't; and as his
proposition is the very thing We are determined
against, and as he is fully acquainted with our
solution in that respect, 1t follows that he IS
really asking hi, people not for permission 10
extend commerce and to settle old disputes. but
ior permission 10 maintain tariffs and 10 keep
open the old fishery wounds Much a. W.
-hou.d enjoy decision in favor Of permanent
3c,cc and goodwill. it is of morr Importance
~ r, that the Canadians should realize just
what their votes will mean than that they
should cast them in any particular way