The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-06-27
What Washington People Think Of
tho Presidents Threats or
Retaliation.
It Is an Old Story and At
tracts No Particular
Attention.
The Folks in the DOminion Also Seem to
Iso Taking tho Matter Very
PhilosOphicaliy.

WASHINGTON June 2G.-Th0 message OF
President Harrison TO the senate suggesting
rstaiiatory measures ~ a means OF protect.
ing American shippers from discrim mating
rates In the Canadian canals has been con-
siderably discussed by public men. II 1t
were supposed for moment that any
serious legislation wers likelv to follow "a
the res0lt OF tho message, more attention
would be paid to II; bus the experience OF
years has led many TO become skeptical on
this point. Whil- the discrimination al
legged is considered an important matter to
shipping intereIts, and ths f",a.iation sug-
gasted q measure of some dollars aud cents
which may be worth considering, the chief
Importance of the message is given to the
be*sring it may have on many other ques-
tit,ns which have arisen between Canada
and the United States.
In the minds Of those who have devoted
themselves to study OF International mat
ters there are dozen questions which may
be influenced BY this message as much az
the transportation question. In addition
to the subject OF general reciprocity between
Canada and the United States, which the
president discussed somewhat; the fisheries
questions, the rights Of coast trading yes
sells, the establishment Of the Alaskan boun-
dary line, the shipment OF goods in bond by
American and Canadian roads, and tho ex.
emption of Canadian roads from the pro-
visions of the interstate commerce act are
questions which, it 10 said, must inevitably
all be affected BY any re.aliatory measure
which touches any one OF them. As it ia
expressed, all these questions are bound to-
gether in ono knot. and the untyinR of this
knot has been the subject Of many delicate
and diplomatic attempts. S$
Conferences between represent tatiyes OF
the Canadian government and the United
States have been had on all these questions,
ject for retaliation without affecting all o1
them to an extent; consequently, il there
were any likelihood of immediate rstalia-
tion, it is said the situation might be seri-
ous. But experience has proved to the sat
isfaction of those who discuss it that a con-
siderable number of senators are avsrse tc
any retaliation, on transportation questions
most Of all.
The subject has been before the senate
often. President Cleveland sent a message
to congress ON the general subject. which .
republican senate allowed to lie over with
out action. Senator CullGsn. az chSirman
Of the committee on interstate commerce,
has made long and exhaustive investiga-
tion into the subject of transportation BY
railroads and canals in the two countries
and an attempt has been made on this basil
of fact to enact legislation which would
stop the CRY Of American shippers against
the Canadian roads. But this legislation
has failed. Considerable strife has been
stirred mp at times between senators from
along the Canadian border, whose statel
reap Z benefit from being the terminal
points of international roads. and senators
from other parts Of the country. and in thit
strife the real issue between the governments
has been lost sight of. 'tThe railroad inter
est of northern New England, of some sec
tions of Michigan and Minnesota, which
are benefited, want no retallatory meas
ures.'' said Senator Cullom. 1T is hslr
to their section to allow the shipments in
bond. One trouble IL, patriotism is los
sight OF when there's chance to make I
quarter on freight rate" When asked
what rstaliatory measures were possible
Senator Cullom said that the passage Of I
law fixing compensatory tolls on Canadian
freights passing through United States ca
nsls or other waters, would, at first thought
seem the most natural. though he said h,
had not studied the question at all since tn,
president sent in his message.