Daily tobacco leaf-chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1890-1895, 1892-02-12
RECIPROCITY
Negotiations Between Canada
and the United States
Formally Opened in Washing
ton Wednesday.

The Dominion is Anxious for Reciprocal
Trade Relations with Us and a Conn
mission Visits Secretary Blaine and Ar
ranges for Conference-Brief History
of the Negotiations.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 12.-The negotia-
tions between the United States and
Canada, in regard to reciprocal trade
relations, were opened formally Wednes-
day, at conference held at the state
department of the representatives of
each government. The secretary of
state and General John Foster represent
ed the United States while Canada was
represented by a commission consisting
of Sir John Thompson, minister of
justice, and Attorney General Hon. Nc
Kenzie Bowell minister of customs and
militia; Hon. George e. Foster, minister
of finance; Mr.. Parmalee, deputy COM
missioner of customs, and Mr.. Stewart,
private secretary. The commission
really consists of the three first named
officials, the others accompanying them
as attaches.
Mr.. Bowel takes the place of Sir
Charles Tupper, but otherwise the co, l.
mission is the same as that which visited
Washington last spring.
Wednesday morning Secretary Blaine
spent half an hour with the president,
at the White House, going over the
ground to be taken by the United States
in the coming conferences. He then, at
II o'clock, went to the state department
and met General Foster in the diplomat
ic reception room. In few minutes
Sir Julian Pauncefote, the British min
lister, appeared and notified the secre-
tary that the Canadian delegates were
ready to enter upon the negotiations,
and it was arranged that they should
proceed to the state department.
They arrived about noon, and there
was preliminary session of AN hour,
during which the conferees talked
"across the board" as the diplomatic
phrase goes, and arranged the ground
for the coming conference, which will
last several days.
This series of negotiations is intended
by the Canadian authorities as pre-
liminary interchange of views for the
purpose of ascertaining the nature II
the subjects that each side will be will
ing to discuss, and what form the dis
cussion shall take. The results that
may be reached will not therefore be
final
Instigated by Canada.
The entire movement is instigated and
pressed by Canada, and is not, as has
been persistently stated, the result Of
wishes expressed by the United States
for closer trade relationship.
History of the Negotiations.
The history of the negotiation in brief
is as follows; Early last spring, prior
to the Canadian elections, Sir Charles
Tupper began communicating with this
government in his capacity as special
commissioner for Canada, appointed by
the home government at London, with
a view of opening reciprocity negotia-
tions Under the Mckinley tariff act.
Secretary Blaine expressed a willing
ness to have the subject discussed, but
held out no hopes for a satisfactory
conclusion. The commission appoint
ed to represent Canada came to
Washington, and, after conference
with Sir Julian Pauncefote, met Mr..
Blaine. The president was about to
start on his southern and western trip,
and as it was not deemed desirable that
SO important subject should be dis
cussed during his absence, Secretary
Blaine requested postponement. which
of course was agreed to. A date in Oc-
tober was later fixed upon for a contin-
uance of the negotiations, but when the
time arrived Secretary Blaine was in
Maine and the president suggested de-
lay until his resurn. The last request
for conference came some weeks ago
from Canada, and was agreed toby this
government