Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-06-21
TO RKrALIATE ON CANADA.
The President Recommends Action to Pro-
tect American Interests

THE REsULr'oF- THE RECENT RECIPROCITY con-
\ FKREScEs-cANADA DECLINES TO REMOVE DIS
| ELIMINATING. CANAL TOLLS OR TO MAKE ANY
4 ARRANGEMENT BENEFIrING AMERICAN Manu.
| FAcrUREs.
The President sent to the Senate yesterday
afternoon answer to the resolution Of Feb
ruary "a last calling for informstion.r respecting
reciprocity negotiations with Canada. The
President states that his answer was delayed at
the suggestion of the Secretary Of State until
the conference of the Sd inst. took place
between. the Secretary and the British minister
and Aessrs. Mckenzie, Bowel and Geo. E.
Foster, at which conference Mr. John W.
Foster appeared in behalf of the, government Of
the United States.
The President says: 1.-The result Of the con-
ference as to the practicability Of arranging q
reciprocity treaty with the Dominion Of Cam
ada is clearly stated in the letter Of Mr.. Blaine,
and was anticipated, / think, BY him and every
other thoughtful American who had considered
the subject. reciprocity treaty limited to
the exchange of natural products would have
been such only in FORM The benefits OF such
treaty would have inured almost wholly to
Canada Previous experiments on this line
had been unsatisfactory to this government A
treaty that should be reciprocal in fact and OF
mutual vantage must necessarily have en-
braced important list of manufactured arti-
Giles. and secured to the United States free
or favored introduction of these articles into
Canada against the world. but Is was not
believed that the Canadian ministry was
ready to propose or assent to such an arrange
ment. The conclusion of the Canadian COM
missioners is stated in the report Of Mr.. Blaine
as follows: In the second place it seemed to be
impossible for the Canadian government, in
view Of its present political relations and obi
satiOns, to extend to American goods prefer
entail treatment over those OF other countries.
As Canada was part of the British empire
they did not consider it competent for the do
mirlion government to enter into any CONNER
ciai arrangement with the United States from
the benefits of which Great Britain and its col
onies should be excluded
1T is not for this government to argue
against this announcement of Canadian OIL
Gals opinions. 1t must be accepted however,
think. as the statement of a condition which
places an insuperable barrier in the way of the
attainment of that large and beneficial inter-
course and reciprocal trade which might other
wise be developed between the United States
and the dominion.
1T will be noticed that Mr.. Blaine reports as
one Of the results of the conference an Informal
engagement to repeal and abandon the draw
back of Is cents ton given to wheat (grain)
that is carried through to Montreal and shipped
from there to Europe. BY the American rail-
ways running from Ogdensburg and Oswego
and other American ports the shippers paid the
full 20 cents ton, while in effect those by the
way of Montreal pay only cents. 1t I'M
derstood that the Canadian commissioners, who
we're all three members of the cabinet, would
sec to the withdrawal of this discrimination
SERIOUS PHASE OF THE SITUATION.
''From the report of the recent conference
by Mr.. Foster it will be seen that the Canadian
commissioners declare that this statement does
- -
the only assurance they had intended to give
was that the complaint of the government of
the United States should be taken into consider
alton by the Canadian ministry on their return
to Ottawa Mr.. Foster who present at the
first conference. confirms the statement of Mr.
Blaine. While this Misunderstanding is unfor-
tunate, the more serious phase of the situation
Is that, instead of resembling the discriminating
canal tolls of which this government complains,
the Canadian ministry. after the sre-
turn of the commissioners from their
visit to Washington on April L. reissued
without any communication with this gov
eminent the order continuing the dis
elimination, by which a rebate Of eighteen
cents a ton is allowed upon grain going to
Montreal. but not to American ports, and re-
fusing this rebate even to grain going to Mon
treal ii transhipped at an American port The
report of Mr.. Partridge, the solicitor of the
Department of State. which accompanies the
letter of the Secretary Of State, states these
determinations very clearly. That these orders
as to canal tolls and rebate are in direct viola
tlon OF article q Of the treaty Of 1871 seems to
be clear. 1t Is wholly evasive to say that
there Is no discrimination between Canadian
and American vessels; that the rebate is
allowed to both, without favor, upon grain
carried through to Montreal, or transhipped at
a Canadian port to Montreal. The treaty runs:
To secure to the inhabitants Of the United
States them of the Welland St Lawrence and
other canals in the dominion on terms of
equality With the-inhabitants of the dominion
WHAT WAS INTENDED.
at was intended to give to consumers in the |
United States, to our people engaged in rail-
road transportation and to those exporting
from our ports equal terms in passing their
merchandise through these canals This abso- |
lutte equality of treatment was the consideration
for concessions on the part Of this government
made IN the same article of the treaty, and
which have been faithfully kept. ItSs matter
of regret that the Canadian government had
not responded promptly to our request for the |
removal Of these discriminating tolls The
papers submitted show how serious the loss in
hicted rs upon our lake vessels and upon some
of our lake ports In view of the fact that the
Canadian commissioners still contest with us
the claim that these tolls are discrimi-
mating, and insist that they constitute
no violation of the letter or spirit of article n
Of the treaty, it would seem appropriate that
congress, II the view neld by the executive is
approved. should with elaboration and vet with
promptuess take such steps as may be necessary
to secure the just rights Of our citizens. In
view of the delays which have already taken
place in transmitting this correspondence to
Congress, / have not felt justified in awaiting
the further communication from the govern
ment Of Canada which was suggested in the re-
cent conference. Should any proposition re-
lafing to this matter De received il will be i'm
rnedistely submitted for the consideration of
the Senate, and il forwarded within the time
suggested, viii undoubtedly anticipate any final
action by.Congress."
Mr. BLAINE,s=LErrER.
The'President inclosesa report from Secre- 4
tary Blaine, dated April Is last, which'was in
answer to the Senate resolution, but was. as he
explains, withheld toawait the result of the
second conference. The Secretary's letter il
q long document. He tells Of the negotiation
Of the Newfoundland treaty with Hon. Robert
Bond in October. 1890; Of the protest made
against its MITIGATION by the government of
the Dominion Of Canada, and Of Sir Julian
Pauncefote's proposition in December, 1890,
for the opening of formal negotiations for
reciprocity treaty. The Secretary says that he
declined to enter upon formal negotiations
until q full and private conference with the
minister and Canadian agents indicated q
probability Of agreement.
The conference Of February 10 last between
Secretary Blnine, Sir Julian Pauncefote, Sir