The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-06-21
RETALIATION ON CANADA.
President Harrison Suggests tn
Action to Congress.

President Harrison Suggests the
Action to Congress.
WASHINGTON, June 20.-In a state paper
sent 20 the Senate to-day in answer to a
resolution of Feb. "a last, calling for
information relative to the recipro-
city negotiations with Canada, the Presi-
dent sounds the death knell of that project
and plants mile post in American history
by deliberately, In effect, recommending
that congress proceed to retaliate upon the
dominion for its persistent denial of the
rights of American citizens guaranteed by
the treaty Of Washington in connection
with the navigation OF the Canadian canals
The failure Of the reciprocity negotiations ia
due to the position taken by the Canadian
representatives at their recent conference in
Washington with Secretary Blaine and John
W. Foster, which, in effect was that
it would be impossible for the Canadian
government, Ia view Of its present political
relations and obligations to extend to
American goods preferential treatment
over those of other countries. As Canada
was part Of the British empire. they did
not consider it competent for the dominion
government to enter into any commercial
agreement with the United States from the
benefits OF which Great Britain and its colo
MES should be excluded. The President
says: at is not for the government to
argue against this announcement Of Cana
dian official opinion. It must be accepted
however, l think, as state
ment Of condition which places
an inseparable barrier in the wav OF
the attainment Of that large and beneficial
intercourse and reciprocal trade which
might otherwise be developed between the
United states and the dominion"
A HEAVY DISCRIMINATION.
Presidents letter it appears that an effort
was made by Secretary Blaine and Mr..
Foster at the recent conference to induce
the Canadian ministry to repeal and
abandon the drawback of IS cents ton
given 20 wheat grain) that is carried
through the Canadian canals to Montreal.
and shipped therefrom to Europe. By
American railways running by Ogdensburg
and other American ports shippers paid
fully 20 cents a ton, while in effect those by
way Of Montreal pay only cents. 1t was
unders TODD that the Canadian commissions
ers, who were all three members of the
cabinet, would see to the withdrawal
OF this discrimination. Instead Of abro-
eating this drawback the Canadian minis
try, after the return of the commissioners
from their visit to Washington on April
4, reissued without any communication
with this government an order continuing
the discrimination by which a rebate of IS
cents ton is allowed upon grain going to
Montreal, but not to American ports. and
refusing this rebate even to grain going to
Montreal If transshipped at an American
port ........- ...
IN VIOLATION OF THE TREATY.
The President, adopting the language of
the solicitor Of the treasury departments
upon this action Of Canada, saws: That
these orders as 20 canal tolls aud rebates are
in direct violation of article q of the treaty
Of 1871, seems TO be clear. It is wholly
evasive to say that there ia no discrimina.
tlon between Canadian and American ves>
ssIs; that rebate is allowed to both with
out favor, upon grain carried through
TO Montreal, or trausshipped at
Canadian port to Montreal The treaty
reads: To secure to citizens OF the United
States use of the Welland st Lawrence
and other canals in the dominion on terms
OF equality with the inhabitants of the
dominion It was intended to give to con
sumers in the United States, to our
people engaged in railroad transporta-
ton, and those exporting from
our ports equal terms in passing their mer-
chandise through these canals. This abso-
Lutte equality of treatment was the consid-
GRAFTON for concessions on the part Of this
government made in the same article of the
treaty and which have been faithfully
kept 1t is matter of re-
greet that the Canadian govern
ment has not responded promptly
to our request for the removal of these dis
eliminating tolls The papers submitted
show how serious loss is inflicted upon our
lake vessels and upon some of our lake
ports. ....
THE PRESIDENTS RECOMMENDATION.
I'm view of the fact that tho Canadian
commissioners still contest with US the claim
that these tolls are discriminating,
and insist that they constitute
no violation of the letter or
spirit Of article 81 Of the treaty, it would
seem appropriate that congress, If the posi-
tion held by the executive is approved,
should with elaboration, and yet with
promptness, take such steps as NAV be
necessary TO secure the just rights of our
citizens. In view of tho delays
which have already taken place In
transmitting this correspondence to con-
gress, have not felt Justified in awaiting
the further communication from the gov
ernmeut of Canada which was suggested in
the recent conference. Should any propo-
sltlon relating to this matter he received it
will be Immediately submitted for the con-
slderarion of the Senate; and if forwarded
within the time suggested it will undoubt-
edly anticipate any final action by c0n-
gress."
The voluminouS documents accompany
ing the Presidents letter compose history
or all the negotiations with the British
colonies to the northward upon these two
subjects, reciprocity and canal tolls