The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-08-21
UNCLE SAM STRIKES BACK
President Harrison Imposes Retaliatory
Tolls on Canadian Vessels.
All Freight for Dominion Ports That Passes
through st. Mnrys Falls Must Hereafter
Pay Charge of 20 Cents Per Ton.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 2O.-The President Is
sued the following proclamation this after

WASHINGTON, Aug. 2O-The PRESIDENT Is
sued the following proclamation this after
noon:
Whereas, BY an act of Congress, approved
July 26, 1892, entitled "An act TO enforce recip-
r0cal commercial relations between the United
States and Canada and for other purposes" 1t is
provided "that. with view Of securing recipro-
cal advantages for the citizens, ports and vessels
of the United States on and after the lst day of
August. 1892, whenever and so often as the
President shall be satisfied that the passage
through any canal or lock connected with the
navigation OF the ST. Lawrence river. the great
lakes or the waterways connecting the same, of
any vessels of the United states, or OF cargoes,
or passengers in transit to any port OF the United
States Is prohibited. or Is made difficult or bur-
densome by the imposition of tolls or otherwise.
which, in view OF the free passage through
the ST Mary's Falls canal, now permitted TO ves-
sells of all nations, he shall deem TO be rectprO-
cally unjust, and unreasonable, he shall have the
power. and it shall be his duty, to suspend, by
proclamation TO that effect. for such time and to
such extent Including absolute prohibltion), as
ns tbs m Falls canal so faP a
relates TO vessels owned by the subjects OF the
government so discriminating against the clti-
zens, ports or vessels of the United States. or to
any cargoes, portions OF cargoes. or passengers
In transit to the ports of the government max
ing such discrimination. whether carried in ves-
sells OF the United states or or other nations.
"In such case and during such suspension tolls
shall be levied, collected and paid as follows, to-
wit: Upon freight of whatever kind or descrfp-
tion. not 10 exceed ( per ton; upon passengers,
not TO exceed 50 each, as shall be from time to
time determined by the President: Provided,
that no tolls shall be charged or collected upon
freight or passengers carried to and landed at
Ogdensburg or any port west OF Ogdensburg.
and south OF line drawn from the northern
boundary OF the State of New York through the
ST. Lawrence river. the great lakes and their
connecting channels to the northern boundary
Of the state OF Minnesota
"SectiOn 2 All tolls so charged shait<Bo~co4~-
lected under such regulations as shall be pre-
scribed by the Secretary or the Treasury, who
may REQUIRE the master of each vessel to furnish
a
cargo and the number or passengers carried,
and the destination OF tho same, and such proof
gers at some port or place within the limits also
named as he shall deem satisfactory; and. until
such proof is furnished, such freigkt and passen-
gers may be considered to have been landed at
some port or place outside or those limits. and
the amount of tolls which would have accrued II
they had been so delivered shall constitute lien,
which may be enforced against the vessel In de-
fault, wherever and whenever found in the
waters of the United States" and
of Canada imposes toll amounting to about 20
cents per ton on all freight passing through the
Melland canal In transit to a port OF the United
the United States and on all passengers in transit
TO any port of the United States. all Of which tolls
Whereas, The government OF the Dominion
OF Canada. In accordance with an order In Coun-
the twenty cent toll at the weland canal on
wheat Indian corn, peas. barley. rye, oats, flax
seed and buckwheat, upon condition that they
real or some port east of Montreal for exporf,
and that IL transshipped at intermediate points,
such transshipment Is made within the Domin-
lon OF Canada, but allows no such nor any OF
the rebate on said products when shipped to
port of the United states, or when carried to
Montreal for export II transshipped within the
Whereas, the government OF the Dominion Of
Canada. by said system OF rebate and otherwise.
dlscriminates against the citizens OF the United
States In the use OF said Welland canal, in viola
ton OF the provisions of Article p of the treaty
of Washington. concluded May 8. 1871; and
Whereas said Welland canal Is connected with
the navigation of the great lakes, and am sat
lsned that the passage through 1t of cargoes In
transit 10 ports or the United states Is made dlf-
ficult and burdensome by said discriminating
system OF rebate and otherwise, and is recipro-
cally unjust and unreasonable.
Now, therefore, i, Benjamin Harrison, Presi-
dent of the United states of American, by virtue
OF the power 10 that end conferred upon me by
hereby direct that from aud after Sept L, 1892,
until further notice, toll OF 20 cents per ton be
levied collected and paid on all freight OF what
st. Mary's Falls canal in transit TO any port OF
the Dominion OF Canada. whether carried In ves-
sells OF the United states or of other nations and
TO that extent / do hereby suspend. fran and
after said date. the right OF free passage through
said ST. Mary's Falls canal of any ana all cargoes
or portions OF cargoes, IN transit to Canadian
BY the President:
JOHN W. FOSTER, Secretary Of State.
cANADA's DILLY-DALLYING POLICY.
The events leading up to the issue of
the proclamation are described In the off,
cial memoranda, as follows: At On inter-
vie " held ct the Department of State on
Monday. Aug ]. the Secretary of State in
formed Mr. Herbert, charge Of the British
legation, that in view of the passage of the
act of Congress relating to the Canadian
canal tolls the President would regard it
his duty TO issue. without delay, o procla-
nation based upon that act imposing tolls
upon products passing through the
Sault Ste. Marie canal destined for
Canadian ports. unless assurance
could be received from the Cana
dian government. within few days.
that the discriminatlons now enforced in
the Canadian canals against American
ports and lines of transportation would be
promptly discontinued. Mr.. Herbert an
swered that few days delay would be
necessary in order TO reassemble the Cana
dian Cabinet. the majority of whom are
now absent from the capital. and he in
CURED OF the Secretary what time would
beconsidered reasonable for this purpose.
The Secretary replied that he thought the
Cabinet might be conveniently called to-
gefher and take action within week or
ten days, and that nothing would be done
by the President In the maJter within that
time. Mr.. Herbert said he would commu-
nIcate immediately with the Governor
general by telegraph ana urge prompt
action.
On the 5th of August Mr.. Herbert tele-
graphed Secretary Foster from Newport
r l.. that Lord Stanley had telegrapheI
him that il will be impossible TO arrive at
decision till Monday at the earliest, ewing
TO tho absence of all the ministers from ct
tawa- The next day Mr.. Herbert tele-
graph Mr.. Foster as follow: II have re-
eeiyed assurance of further consideration.
May consequently venture TO hope that
no steps may be taken in the meantimep
Secretary Foster. replied by Telegram
the same day as follow: "Grati6ed &C your