New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-12-14
A CANADIAN CRITIC ANS WERED
MINISTER FOSTERS UNJUST REVIEW OF
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
SECRETARY J. w FOSTER POINTS OUT IT,
ERRORS AND MISREPRESENTATION.

SECRETARY J. w FOSTER PO-NIS " -
ERRORS AND NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..
Washington, Dec. l3.-Thc attention Of tie secre
tary OF STATE. John W. Foster. was called to long
Interview whcal was had In Ottawa yesterday with
the Canadian Minister of Finance George +. Foster
containing detailed review Of President Harrison
message Secretary Foster stated that the Canadian
Finance Minister'S arrllgnmcnt Of the President was
neither justified by the message nor sustained by his
cri'ldsm.
The Minister said Secretary Foster. treats OF four
topics OF great Interest TO both countries Reciprocity
Of trade fishery rights, the canal determinations ana
the railroad traffic. on the first point little fAnit
Is to be found with the CANADIAN statement but III
one partcuar The Minister is seriously In error. Dur
Ing the reciprocity conference OF last winter, Mr.
Blaine did Not insist that in reciprocity arrange
nent n uniform tariff would be necessary for bCtl
Canada and the Tn7ed States, nor, much less Tat II
should be on the line OF the present United states
tariff. lie did ask that the schedule should not be
confined TO natural products, but should include an
agreed list OF Manufactured goods and that the reel
procly should he confined TO Canada and TIE United
states: and because Of these Two condltiOhS' Tue
negotiations fruitless.
The fishery question covers nor, than century
OF voumnous discussion aud prolonged controversy. but
II most limited examination OF 1t would show tina
at every step In its history the eXacting and I'M
reasonable demands OF Canada have illustrated oth'r-
harmonious adjustments De'Wccn rifSit
and the Tinted States. This is especially nJ'ic'a
bio In the fur seal controversy. II Is a well Known
fact that In 1888 the subject had reached complete
basis Of sct,l mcnt In London btween Lord S'h bury
End Minister Phelps. when the rcmonstranco Of Can
ada defeated the arrangement and p-ecpitlted ihe
two Governments Into the bitter discussion ont OF
which has grown the p'ndi; arbitration.
secretary Foster said tina: the CanaGIin Ministers
statement Of the issue Involved In TIL, arbitration
imD ,ft md M. ieldl nO
ton OF free FISHING on the high The Govern
mcnt OF The United states does not claim that
Tchrng Sea Is mare clarsm." and does not seek
TO restrict the legitimate freedom Of the ocean: but
I'm the language OF NJ. blaine. II c, claim That
the W o. the SEA / n I llwl s. es It Ids hd
the fur seals born and nirrd the Pr; hl-G
Islands Oh which they spend large part 0f their
existence and TO which they rrtirn with unvarllns
instinct, represents large and valuable Industry
VII ca oud nor BE- I'm I el io b EXTERN IA Il V
Tie balb and IN Il an mot OIL o. The lila B.
polchcrs. and II has every conhdcrc" that tn tr
bnrl OF arbitration Will 50 decide TIE vital question
at issue.
The Minister clouds the canal controversy Ly
shifting Tie real ground 10 alleged comparison OF
the relative advantage, the United states and Carnda
derive from each Others concessions. under Ga"
Treaty oi Washington. In the matter OF navigation
The whole m0yrmcn, Is evidently designed - force
the United STATE 90 yield To Canada the free nly
gallon 81 The Hudson River. concession which was
lcn unconSldcrrl IA the INFERENCE which led up
The Treaty OF Washington. The navigation OF Lake
Michigan by the Cnundlnus WIS t;cn maGe the
>prps, and ample equivalent Of the navigation 81
the y. Lawrence and II Il a fair compensate N
In 1871, what f. II when the commercial field
Of operations Ia Lake Michigan IS MANIFOLD In
creased
Every attempt TO bring about n better under.
standing OF question Of the canal toll, has been
md ~ that tho fr.a ii
ION u the Hudson River shall be thrown In BY MS
at the price % Canaia's fuiimont Of The simple
terms 81 ihe Treaty ~ Wnsaugton MI nations have
carefully guarded thelr Internal avenues ana com
munlcailon and coastwIse commerce from foreign In
trlson and the President has neither the inclination
nor the power under existing laws 10 pay Tho prc"
Of It's nee In thssar'e 70 sccui" the b"rviroe
i Canada of what lac regards ~ IL plaln trcnty obj
Cations.
The attitude Of Canada 10 railway traffic IN"
Secretary regards IN" least drf'nhl" OF al Us rrla
lions With the United states. Briefly stated. II IS de-
nonro hy IT, crnt and ovorslndowng corloatOn u our
National policy OF railway control In The Interest ana
for The prot. ctlon of The pibc. Will" Tie American
railroads are under The restrictions Of the Interstate
Commerce law, the Canadian Pacific Is r"aplrc the
benefits u it's exemption thrrcfrom at great incon-
venlencc II not serious loss TO the Treasury ID PAT
mcnt, and 10 the injury Of American Interests onr
liberation Of the system thus far has been OF IN
many instances Of the forbcarnncc Of the Executive
and u distinguished mark Of a desire 10 ciltlvat"
friendly relations with Canada. CcrtIinv II Is th"
last matter about which the fnancr Minister should
find fault with President IIarrlsons ut,cranccs in
his message.
II would be easy multiply the instances cited by
the President wherein negotiations with Great
Britain have been tliwarted by Canada. one Of the
most recent may be- gwen in showing how nm actual
agreement between the two sovereign Governments
has been defeated Icy the attitude OF our nelghbcr.
The copyright agreement with Great Britain proclaimed
by the President July !, l-0l. has been rendered
nugatory far Canada is concerned, BY the al"a
ton that Il Is not an international convention within
the meaning OF the Canadian statute.
Secretary Foster believes that the Minister greatly
I'm error In his ASSERTION that the Presidents message
does not represent the sentiments 81 the people Of
the United sat.s. ON nl these question, there can
be but opinion among patrOth Americans While
there + no deposition In this country interfere In
the slightest degrrr with the poliilcal relations Of
canada do cXTrct a faithful compliance with treaty
obligations and fair ana equal aIrnt for American
commerce and there will be- division OF sentiment
| on these questions wherever the President finds II
necessary TO take steps TO enforce the
| the other