The record-union., 1892-12-14
Special to the REcoRp.uN1ox.

WASHINGTON, Dec. l3.-The attention
of Secretary of State Foster was called to
lengthy interview with Canadian FL
nance Minister Foster, telegraphed from
Ottawa, III which the Canadian severely
criricises President Harrison's annual
message with reference to Canada.
Speaking of the reciprocity matter,
Secretary Foster said: During the con-
ference last winter Mr.. Blaine did not in
sist on a uniform tariff for both countries,
but did ask that the schedule be not con-
lined to natural products, but include an
agreed list of manufactured goods. The
fishery question covers more than cen
tury Of voluminous discussion and pro
Ionged controversy, but the most limited
examination of it shows that at every
step in its history the eXacting and un-
reasonable demands OF Canada have frus-
trated otherwise harmonious adjustments
between Great Britain and the United
states. This IS especially noticeable III the
fur seal controversy. 1t is Well-known
fact that in ISIS the subject had reached a
complete basis Of settlement in London
between Lord Salisbury and Minister
PhelpS, when Canada'S r6mOnstranceS
defeated the arrangement and precipi-
taled the two Governments into a bitter
discussion, ont of which has grown the
Behrlng Sea arbitration.
"Canada's statement Of the issue in
yolved III the controversy is also mislead-
Ing" said Secretary Foster. 1T is not
question of free fishing on the high seas.
The Government Of the United States
does not claim that Behring Sea is a
mare clduSHH1, and does not seek to re-
strict legitimate freedom of the ocean.
But, in the language Of Mr.. Blaine, it
does claim that the law of the sea is net
lawlessness. 1t holds that fur seals born
and reared on the Pribylof Islands. on
which they spend large part Of their ex-
lstence, and to which they return with
unvarying instinct, represent Il large and
valuable interest and industry, which
should not be permitted to be extermi-
mated by the inhuman methods of Cana
dian poachars
The Canadian Minister clouds the
canal controversy by shifting the real
ground to an alleged comparison Of the
relative advantages the two countries de-
rive from each others concessions under
the treaty of Washington in the matter of
navigation. The whole movement is evil
dently designed to force the United States
to yield to Canada the tree navigation of
the Hudson River, a concession which
was left uncOnsidereG in the conference
which led up to the treaty of Washing
ton. The navigation of Lake Michigan
by Canadians was made then an express
equivalent OF the navigation Of the Sc.
Lawrence River. Every attempt to bring
about better understanding Of the canal
tolls has been met by demand from
Canada that free navigation Of the Hud-
son River be thrown in by the United
States as the price of Canada's fulillment
Of the simple terms Of the treaty of Wash
ington.
''All nations have carefully guarded the
internal avenues OF communication and
cOastwise commerce from foreign in
Jrusion, and the President has neither the
inclination nor the power to pay the price
of its surrender in this instance to secure
observance by Canada of what he regards
as plain treaty obligations"
Secretary Foster also devotes some
space to Canada's attitude toward our
railway traffic, and says: "Our liberation
of the Canadian railway system's oper-
ations thus far have been one of the MANY
instances Of the forbearance Of the Ex-
ecutiTe and distinguished mark of the
desire to cultivate friendly relations with
Canada"