The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1891-06-24
In the Reciprocity Negotiations
With Canada.
SUBMITTED 10 THE SENATE
ofThat country-Thc Correspondence
Between the Two Governments
Shows That Nothing Definite Has
Been Donc.--AIr. Blaine's Last Let
ter Interesting In View of All the
Talk.

was laid on the table IN the SENATE
Chamber by the Premier last night. II
was message from the Governor Gen
erai transmitting further papers relat-
ing to the extension and development
of trade between the United States and
the Dominion OF Canada, including
Newfoundland.
Among the letters is one from the
foreign office to the colonial Office.
Lord Knutsiord encloses a draft Of the
proposed convention between New
foundland and the United States,
which had been previously communi-
Gated by Sir Julian Pauncefote to Mr..
Blaine for IN arrangement of the fish
cries question and trade relations. Fol-
lowing this, is Lord Stanley's cable
message, in which he says: "The gov
ernment views with alarm the proposed
convention between Newfoundland and
the United States. II places the fishery
and other products Of Canada at dis
advantage. The government remon-
strates in the strongest terms against
the signature OF the proposed conven-
ton at Washington"
Six days later, November 25j Lord
Knutsford, in u cable dispatch to the
Governor General says: In the present
urgent condition Of New Foundtand, an
unfortunate feeling will be excited by
the opposition OF Canada to the effort
of New Fonndland to relieveits distress.
Any reciprocity treaty between Canada
and tho United States would, us previ-
ously, be framed 80 us not to place inn
ports from this country alta disadvan-
tage, and 1t is presumed thar Canada
would wish TO retain control over her
tariff with a view to- the possible exten-
sion OF her trade with the colonies and
England.
On November 2S, his excellency sent
Sir Julian Pauncetote the following dis
patch: eve are prepared to arrange
for our commercial relations with the
United States being literally extended,
and wish that the United States may
be so informed. This government OBJ
jects to sending delegates to Washing
ton unofficially, as liable to give rise to
misunderstanding, but is ready at once
to begin negotiations with the sanction
of her maiesty's government"
The next despatch is from Lord
Knutstord, 70 the Goyerpor General,
and bears dfte ilecenber 1t makes
tho following announcement: with
reference to your despatch OF the 10Th
ultimo, her majesty's government agrees
to the minister at Washington being
assisted By one or more Canadian plen-
ipotentiaries, il the United States con-
sent to the Negotiations In aclInowl-
edgement, tho day following Lord Stan
ley despatched the following message:
''The assent given by your telegram
OF the 4th inst. has given much gratiii-
cation to the Canadian government
May we ROW make q definite official pro-
posal through the British Minister to
the United States government"
How the assertion made in the last
dispatch was received at Washington
was set forth in the next message from
Sir Julian Pauncefote, dated December
4: Il am informed by the Secretary OF
State that his government could not re-
spond to the suggestion Of formal
communication until n basis OF arrange
ment had been first reached. He ex-
pressed strong desire, however, to
conclude wide reciprocity treaty"
On December 13, Lord Stanley sent
to the home government with
respect to the Atlantic fisheries, with
the aim OF securing the free admission
into the United States markets OF
fishery products in return for
facilities TO be granted to United States
fisherman to buy bait and supplies, and
the protection OF mackerel and other
fish on the Atlantic ocean, and in the
inland waters also; the relaxation OF
the selboard coasting laws of the two
countries, regarding the coasting laws
OF inward waters dividing Canada from
the United States; mutual salvage and
saving OF wrecked vessels; arrange
ments for settling the boundaries be-
tween Canada and Alaska.
This proposal was transmitted from
London to Sir Julian Pauncefote, at
with the following result
rs stated in dispatch from Lord
dated January q, 1891.
"The Minister at Washington has
to tho United States
Secretary OF State the substance OF your
telegram. AIr. Blaine replied that to
to obtain the appointment OF
n formal commission to arrive ut re-
ciprocity treaty would be useless, but
that tho United States Govvrnment was
willing 10 discuss the question in
private with Sir Julian Pauncefote, and
one or more delegates from Canada,
md to consider every subject on which
there was n hope OF agreement. He
added that he would be prepared to
enter into private negotiations at any
time.aiter March !.
on March l6,nftertheelectionwasover
and Sir John Macdonald has been sus-
tanned, the Governor-General wrote the
British Minister Of Washington asking
him to ascertain when it would be con-
yenient for Mr.. Blaine to receive the re-
Of the Canadian Govern
ment, and disCussthe whole question OF
reciprocity.
The next letter is from Mr.. Blaine,
dated April /, 1891, to Sir Julian, and
says:
"a copy Of the basis OF negotiations,
which you placed in my hands, Decen-
Der %, last, is appended hereto. You
told me. if my memory is not in error,
that YOU were instructed by Lord Sails
bury to propose to the United States
for discussion and II possible for agree
ment. answered that felt sure that
the President would be unwilling to ap-
point commission 10 consider the sub
lect, and furthermore that / would be
to submit them to the Presi-
dent, and In any event, could not con-
slider 1t before adjournment OF Com
yress, when we could have full private
conference with the British Minister
md Canadian agents. II an official
is reached, all we'll, If not,